Valuation and Selection of OSS with Real Options

Abstract

The selection of Open Source Software (OSS) applications is a complex and difficult task. The evolving nature of OSS with constant updates, as well as the vast number of available projects hampers the selection process. Advancements in evaluation methods offer assistance in measuring various quality aspects, but do not examine the financial implications of risks and uncertainties imposed by the frequent updates/modifications and by the dynamics of the OSS communities. We perceive the OSS applications as assets capable of generating value upon selection. The objective is to discover the uncertainty factors affecting the overall value, to measure the quality evolution and finally to quantify the expected generated utility value of the OSS candidates. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.