2 research outputs found
Inter-disciplinary study on open source software development in developing countries: a case study of Chinese Linux
This research provides a detailed account of Open Source Software (OSS)
development in the context of developing countries (DCs) by exploring the specific case of
Chinese indigenous Linux design and development. It builds an interdisciplinary,
socio-technical, analytical framework from the perspective of science and technology
studies (STS), in particular the social shaping of technology (SST), infrastructural studies
and international technology transfer. It also covers the fields of economic analysis, policy
studies and development studies. The research investigates the adaptation process of a
unique OSS with infrastructural features – Linux in the context of China by conducting case
studies on both embedded Linux and platform Linux products developed by two Chinese
Linux providers.
Drawing upon the concepts developed in the SST perspective and infrastructural
studies, this research addresses both the dynamism and continuity of OSS. In order to
avoid the shortcomings of existing social scientific study on OSS, we applied social and
biography of artefacts (BoA) approaches to examine the evolution of Chinese Linux by
mapping out the key actors, investigating the linkages between them, and probing deeply
into the intricate interplays among these actors over time.
A detailed longitudinal and contextual analysis has been undertaken through a
qualitative historical case study of the evolution of both Chinese embedded Linux and
platform Linux from 1998-2008. The empirical data reveals that the local adaptation and
further innovation of Chinese Linux is a ‘generification’ process, i.e. a process of design and
developing generic Linux solutions for diverse local users. Theoretically, the understanding
of the socio-technical interfaces of the software (seeking, identifying, categorising local
users/intermediaries, as well as collaborating with key players associated with the particular
software) are central elements for software technology transfer and local technological
capabilities building.
The findings also throw the light on the crucial importance of government role in providing incentives and institutional measures for Linux adaptation in China. In particular,
it highlights the challenges concerning the socio-technical specificities of infrastructural
software, like Linux OS (operating system) and the particular relevance to DCs as
technology adapters.
Finally, this study throws light on the policy and practice for China’s future Linux
development, and the implications for other DCs