How Perceptions of Open Source Software Influence Adoption: An Exploratory Study

Much of the assessment of OSS benefits and drawbacks has been based on anecdotal evidence appearing in practitioner publications. Due to its focus on software development, such work neglects whether managerial perceptions of such benefits and drawbacks have any impact on the organisational adoption of OSS. Although some research has been conducted on the topic of OSS adoption, these studies have either focussed on the adoption of specific open source products or have been directed largely at public administrations and companies operating in the primary software sector. Taking the perspective of IS/IT managers, this paper examines the impact of perceived benefits and drawbacks of OSS on its adoption in 13 companies operating in the secondary software sector in Europe. The findings are analysed using the adoption of innovation literature as a lens to reveal how technology, organisational, environmental and individual factors impact OSS adoption.