The Evaluation of Open Source Software Innovativeness

TL;DR

This paper develops a new framework and typology for assessing open source software innovativeness, addressing the lack of standardized criteria and highlighting shortcomings of existing metrics through extensive case studies and expert collaboration.

Contribution

It introduces an innovation typology based on functional added value and a comprehensive evaluation framework tailored for open source software.

Findings

Identifies shortcomings of current innovation metrics

Proposes a sector-specific innovativeness assessment approach

Validates framework with 500 case studies and expert input

Abstract

Product innovation assessment in software sector is a timely topic. Nevertheless, research on that subject is particularly scant. As a result, there is a lack of criteria to measure software innovativeness. In a context of theoretical and practical controversy in the open source field, this article assesses open source software innovativeness. Based on almost 500 cases studies and with the collaboration of 125 experts from industry, services and research fields, it suggests an innovation typology supported by the notion of functional added value. It provides also an innovation modelling framework that combines main evaluation methodologies. By showing the shortcomings of widely used innovation metrics, this research supports a new approach of innovativeness assessment specialized in each sector.