Factors Influencing Adoption of Open Source Software - An Exploratory Study

Open Source Software (OSS), an example of an IS innovation, provides an alternative to proprietary software for organizations. Despite its free availability, OSS has not been universally adopted. While IS innovation has been extensively studied, there is a dearth of research literature on the adoption of OSS. Using a multi-site case study research method and a well known framework on the adoption of IS innovations, we explore this novel phenomenon and uncover critical factors that influence the adoption of OSS in organizations

Barriers to Open-Source Software Adoption: Review and Synthesis

Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) has had a profound impact on the field of Information Technology. While the adoption rates of FLOSS have been growing, extant research reports various significant barriers that inhibit widespread adoption. To develop a comprehensive overview of FLOSS adoption barriers, this study reviewed and synthesized 44 relevant articles published between 2003 and 2016. Based on the organizing logic of the Technology, Organization, Environment and Individual (TOEI) framework, we categorized the challenges and identified major adoption barriers in each dimension. Technology barriers include vendor lock-in, lack of maturity, and lack of external support. At the organizational level, companies often lack financial and human resources, as well as adequate managerial support. Environmental aspects include culture, policies, and legal frameworks. Individual factors, such as employees’ resistance to change and risk-averse leadership may also negatively influence the adoption process

Open source e-learning application adoption: Medical colleges in a developing world.

A review of normative literature, in the field of Electronic Learning (e-learning) implementation, indicates that traditional approaches to e-learning implementation in higher education have failed to result in cost effective, integrated and sustainable learning environment. In addressing this issue, a new movement called Open Source (OS) has emerged and addresses most of traditional e-learning application by resulting in the development of reusable and manageable platforms. The use of Open Source E-Leaming Applications (OSELA) in Higher Education Institutes (HEI) is a new research area with many research issues needing to be investigated. At this end, OSELA adoption has not efficiently studied with HEI and researchers needing to understand and analyze OSELA adoption.This work examines the introduction of Open Source E-Learning Applications in Higher Education Institutes and proposes a novel model for its adoption. The model is based on a comprehensive set of factors that influence the introduction of OSELA in HEI.The work is based on a qualitative case study approach to examine the concepts of the proposed model for the adoption of OSELA. In doing so, three case studies were conducted in Medical Higher Education Institutions. The case studies were presented and analyzed. However, some modifications were made to the conceptual model as some complementary factors emerged during the empirical research. The main factors that influence the adoption of OSELA are: (a) costs; (b) benefits; (c) barriers; (d) external pressures; (e) support; (f) level of IT sophistication; (g) limitations of existing IT infrastructure, (h) internal pressure and, (i) an evaluation framework that supports higher education institutes to assess OSELA.The proposed model makes novel contribution and can be used as a decision-making tool to support management when taking decisions regarding the adoption of OSELA. Additionally, it can be used by researchers to analyse and understand the adoption of Open Source Software for E-learning