Knut Blind et al. The Impact of Open Source Software and Hardware on Technological Independence, Competitiveness and Innovation in the EU Economy. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2021.
The study indicates that an increase of 10% in contributions to Open Source Software code can be expected to annually generate an additional 0.4% to 0.6% Gross Domestic Product, as well as more than 600 additional information and communication technology start-ups in the European Union.
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This research report suggests that Open Access to programming code can contribute to the emergence of complex innovation ecologies with diverse reward structures. Open source software projects not infrequently encourage joint participation efforts, obtain seed funding, offer value-added solutions and deploy scalable platforms for external collaborations. In other words, Open Access-based ongoing research and innovation projects providing free access to digital technologies can assist with internal innovation-related efforts, the utilization of external components for in-house developments and the leveraging of non-monetary motivating factors, such as recognition. The Open Source software sector, which subtends many Open Access infrastructures, also accommodates multiple business and funding models for the delivery of auxiliary services, crowdfunding projects and subscription frameworks. In this respect, whereas the Open Source sector has spawned diverse and innovative business ecosystems, public institutions appear to be lagging behind with Open Source implementations, large incumbent corporations show preference for combined Open Access and closed-access setups and the economic aspects of Open Source communities tend to be underappreciated, which can limit innovations based on developments in this sector. Yet, community feedback can lead to optimized outcomes, Open Source can accelerate market-ready product development, and community-driven research can lower costs. These considerations have laid the foundations for this comparative empirical study.