Dirk Riehle's Industry and Research Publications

Category: 1. Software Industry

Why and how do organizations create user-led open source consortia? [INFSOF (IST) Journal]

Abstract Context User-led open source (OS) consortia (foundations) consist of organizations from industries beyond the software industry collaborating to create open-source software solutions for their internal processes. Initially pioneered by higher education organizations in the 2000s, this concept has gained traction in recent years across various industries. Objective This study has two research objectives (ROs).…

2025-01-30
Governance practices for open source foundations in the healthcare sector [ICSOB 2024]

Abstract Open source (OS) foundations are non-profit organizations that support open-source software development projects. OS foundations can be categorized based on their membership and governance structures. This study focuses on vendor-led and user-led OS foundations operating in the healthcare sector. The study has two objectives. The first objective is to explore the similarities and differences…

2024-12-18
Why do companies create and how do they succeed with a vendor‑led open source foundation [EMSE Journal]

Abstract Vendor-led open source foundations are open source foundations led by software vendors rather than individual developers or end-user organizations. Our research investigates why vendors create or join such foundations, and how these foundations succeed. We conducted exploratory single-case study research, with the LF Edge foundation as our case. We collected qualitative data in the…

2024-12-17
What is “openwashing” (in software)?

“Openwashing” is a term used by proponents of community open-source software against commercial open source companies. The goal is to shame the companies into changing their business model as well as to prevent the business model in the first place. The claim is that commercial open source companies may be providing open-source software, but are…

2024-12-07
What to look for in startup co-founders and early employees

I have created and participated in several software product startups during my early industry career, and I have created and participated in several as a professor. I intend to do so for many more to come. I’m talking about startups that intend to raise venture capital and become high-growth success stories. Recruiting is job #1…

2024-12-05
Stop maligning commercial open source, start helping it

You may have noticed how some open source enthusiasts are complaining about companies which relicensed their open source components to proprietary licenses. These companies get maligned using terms like “rug pull” and “bait and switch”, suggesting they were deliberately deceiving their users. I don’t want to speculate about the companies’ intentions, but I do want…

2024-11-05