Authors:
Baldwin, Carliss & Kim Clark
Title:
The Architecture of Cooperation: How Code Architecture Mitigates Free
Riding in the Open Source Development Model
http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/baldwinclark.pdf
Abstract:
We argue that the architecture of a codebase is a critical factor that
lies at the heart of the open source development process. To support
this argument, we define two observable properties of an architecture:
(1) its modularity and (2) its option values. Developers can make
informed judgments about modularity and option value from early code
releases. Their judgments in turn will influence their decisions to work
and to contribute their code back to the community. We go on to suggest
that the core of the open source development process can be thought of
as two linked games played within a codebase architecture. The first
game involves the implicit exchange of effort directed at the modules
and option values of a codebase; the second is a Prisoners' Dilemma game
triggered by the irreducible costs of communicating. The implicit
exchange of effort among developers is made possible by the the
non-rivalrous nature of the codebase and by the modularity and option
values of the codebase's architecture. This exchange creates value for
all participants, both workers and free-riders. In contrast, the
Prisoners' Dilemma is a problem that must be surmounted if the exchanges
are to take place. It can be addressed through a combination of reducing
the costs of communication, providing rewards, and encouraging repeated
interactions. Finally, the initial design and "opening up" of a codebase
can be seen as a rational move by an architect who is seeking to test
the environment in hopes of initiating exchanges of effort with other
developers.