Transition of Governance in a Mature Open Software Source Community: Evidence from the Debian Case

As flourishing, productive open source software (OSS) communities mature, they have to introduce a variety of governance mechanisms to manage the participation of their members and to coordinate the launch of new releases. In contrast to other modes of governance of OSS communities, the Debian community introduced new mechanisms of informal administrative control based on a constitution, elected leaders and new functions attributed to interactive communication channels (like mailing lists or IRC channels) that can provide for community effects (and feedback). We show that these control mechanisms were introduced as a response to emerging innovative opportunities due the usage of source packages and heterogeneous learning processes by different groups within the Debian community.Open Source Software community, Governance Mechanism, Debian Community

Exploring the potential transition from strategic technology partnering to mergers and acquisitions

Abstract not availableresearch and development ;

Technological catch-up and strategic technology partnering in developing countries

This paper examines the trends in strategic technology partnering (STP) by firms from developing countries over the period 1980-94. The evidence shows that a small group of countries, namely the Asian NICs and Eastern Europe dominate STP activity. We also examine differences in organisational modes and how these have evolved over time, suggesting an increasing similarity between the NICs and Triad firms. Although it has been argued that these trends demonstrate the technological and economic falling behind of most developing countries, we suggest that it may also represent fundamental differences in the economic structure of these countries and the normal process of structural upgrading with development.research and development ;

Will they fly?: Different Forms of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in New Zealand's UFB Initiative

Starting in October 2009 with a tender ("Invitation to Participate") procedure the Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) initiative the government of New Zealand intends to deliver fiber connections (i.e. 100Mbps/50Mbps) to 75 percent of New Zealanders by 2019. Broadband penetration levels in New Zealand have slowly been catching up compared to other high-income OECD economies. However currently it seems that the contribution of the UFB initiative to broadband penetration in New Zealand is not as expected. The article discusses the industry structure in the broadband market and the effects of regulation in New Zealand and relates this discussion to developments in the broadband sector in Europe. In this context the paper examines the different forms of PPPs in New Zealand's UFB initiative with respect to their (expected) effects on roll out of broadband in New Zealand. The paper builds on the literature on the appropriate contract choice in regulated markets (Demsetz 1968; Williamson 1976). Similar to Bettignies & Ross (2004) it focuses on the extent to which the relationship-specific investment and the complexity (or uncertainty) of the exchange environment has an impact on the form of PPPs (Bettignies & Ross 2004; Crocker & Masten 1996). It examines in greater detail the task and risk allocation in the different PPPs whereby the contracts between LFCs and CFH can be considered as a joint venture and the agreements between Chorus and CFH as more contractual forms. We conclude that problems with the UFB initiative might emerge as the demand risks are not sufficiently specified which might slow broadband adoption in New Zealand

Will they fly?: Different Forms of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in New Zealand's UFB Initiative

Starting in October 2009 with a tender ("Invitation to Participate") procedure the Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) initiative the government of New Zealand intends to deliver fiber connections (i.e. 100Mbps/50Mbps) to 75 percent of New Zealanders by 2019. Broadband penetration levels in New Zealand have slowly been catching up compared to other high-income OECD economies. However currently it seems that the contribution of the UFB initiative to broadband penetration in New Zealand is not as expected. The article discusses the industry structure in the broadband market and the effects of regulation in New Zealand and relates this discussion to developments in the broadband sector in Europe. In this context the paper examines the different forms of PPPs in New Zealand's UFB initiative with respect to their (expected) effects on roll out of broadband in New Zealand. The paper builds on the literature on the appropriate contract choice in regulated markets (Demsetz 1968; Williamson 1976). Similar to Bettignies & Ross (2004) it focuses on the extent to which the relationship-specific investment and the complexity (or uncertainty) of the exchange environment has an impact on the form of PPPs (Bettignies & Ross 2004; Crocker & Masten 1996). It examines in greater detail the task and risk allocation in the different PPPs whereby the contracts between LFCs and CFH can be considered as a joint venture and the agreements between Chorus and CFH as more contractual forms. We conclude that problems with the UFB initiative might emerge as the demand risks are not sufficiently specified which might slow broadband adoption in New Zealand

Comparison of hip fracture and osteoporosis medication prescription rates across Canadian provinces

Summary The study explores osteoporosis medication prescribing across Canadian provinces and any impact on hip fracture rates. Despite a marked variation in the prescribing of such medication, there is no effect on the hip fracture rate in either gender or any age group, suggesting either poor targeting or lack of efficacy. Introduction Hip fractures are the most disabling and costly of osteoporotic fractures, and a reduction in the risk of hip fracture is an expectation of osteoporosis medications. In this study, we have compared the use of osteoporosis medication across Canadian provinces with the rate of hip fractures in the same regions. Methods Three years of hip fracture data (2007–2009 inclusive) were obtained from the Canadian Institute for Health Information for all Canadian provinces excluding Quebec. Population information was obtained from Statistics Canada and medication information from the Brogan Inc. database. Because osteoporosis medication is available daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly, medication prescriptions were converted to “units” of prescribing, so that a once a year infusion represented 365 units, a monthly prescription 30 units, and so forth. Results There is a fourfold difference in prescribing across provinces but no corresponding variation in hip fracture rate. No significant correlation exists between prescribing load and hip fracture rate. This was true for all age groups, both genders, and for both intertrochanteric and subcapital hip fracture. Conclusions We find no association between osteoporosis medication prescribing and hip fracture rate. Possible explanations include insufficient numbers of at-risk patients on treatment, inappropriate targeting, and either lack of efficacy or efficacy limited to only certain subgroups of patients such as those with demonstrable trabecular osteoporosis

VAT Reform, Regional Ownership Structure, and Industrial Upgrading:Evidence From Firms in Northeast China

We estimate the extent of the moderating effect of varying regional ownership structures on the relationship between the VAT reform and industrial upgrading in a panel differences-in-differences framework, using a natural experiment of the China’s 2004 value-added tax (VAT) reform pilot that introduces a permanent 17%-tax credit for fixed investment in six industries in the North-eastern regions. Results reveal that the VAT reform helps firms increase their capital-to-labor ratio, labor input, and labor productivity, indicating the positive effect of VAT reform on fixed asset renewal and industrial structure upgrading in the region. As for the role of regional ownership structure, the positive effects of the VAT reform on labor input and labor productivity are significantly suppressed in areas with large market shares of state-owned enterprises. In another words, the VAT reform significantly promotes industrial upgrading in areas with market-sensitive economies.</p