Considering the Impact of Open-source Software
Jeff Amerine has issued a research paper on open-source software and its use as a business model.
Amerine is a seven-time serial entrepreneur, staff consultant for Innovate Arkansas, and currently serves as Technology Licensing Officer and adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Arkansas.
Here's the intro to get you started. Check out the entire paper here.
The open-source software movement has gained traction in the enterprise-software marketplace in recent years. This is evidenced by the growth of Linux as an enterprise-class server operating system.
As its popularity increases, questions come to mind when considering the impact of this movement. Software-development companies adopting open-source distribution tactics must carefully consider a variety of potential business models to attain viability.
Conversely, enterprises must choose between well-established yet more expensive proprietary applications and open-source systems with lower cost of entry.
Clarity in the decision-making process comes when providers and enterprises assess full, life-cycle costs of ownership.