Determinants of open source software adoption - An application of TOE framework

Abstract

Open source software (OSS) is currently one of the most debated phenomena in both academia and the software industry. Several OSS systems have achieved significant market success but they are rather server-side applications, such as the Apache Web server,MYSQL database server, or other components of IT infrastructure. On the other hand, penetration of OSS systems on the market of desktop applications is rather limited and it is virtually dominated by products of one software vendor, i.e., Microsoft. In this chapter, the benefits and barriers of OSS implementation in Poland are investigated. Based on the well-known technology-organization-environment model of IT technology adoption of a simple model was developed and evaluated empirically, based on the data from the survey of 178 enterprises and public institutions. Statistical analysis using partial least squares (PLS) was performed. Of the four factors considered to determine adoption decisions (benefits, costs, environment, and organization), it was found that only perceived benefits and environment are significant. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.