Open source communities: an integrally informed approach

Purpose – To reframe analysis of the open source software (OSS) phenomenon from an AQAL perspective Design/methodology/approach – The approach is a review of current research thinking and application of the AQAL framework to suggest resolution of polarizations. Findings – The authors find that AQAL is valuable as an integrating framework allowing a more holistic understanding of the complex economic, social and cultural characteristics of open source communities. Originality/value – The original value of this paper is to link, within the AQAL framework, current parallel streams of OSS research, the traditional economic and the social and anthropological, by introducing considerations of psychological contract and intrinsic motivation.