The organization of distributed problem-solving networks: Examining how core and periphery interact together to solve problems in Mozilla's community

Hela Masmoudi; Valerie Fernandez; Laurie Marrauld

doi:10.1109/ITMC.2013.7352679

The organization of distributed problem-solving networks: Examining how core and periphery interact together to solve problems in Mozilla's community

Hela Masmoudi
, Valerie Fernandez
, Laurie Marrauld

Telecom Paris

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

The emerging empirical literature on Open Source communities indicates that a majority of code writing and communication activity is concentrated with a few contributors, the core (maintainers). However, these communities allow and encourage participation from anybody, the periphery. The focus of this work is on explaining how distributed communities solve software problems through the participation of a large number of participants. In particular, this paper investigates interaction, collaboration and division of labor between the core and periphery in a distributed problem-solving activity. Using a linguistic method of analysis, we study bugs that affected Firefox Internet browser as reflected in the discussions and actions reported in Bugzilla (the Mozilla's bug tracking system). As results, we find various categories in the modes of interaction between the core and periphery participants of the community and suggest that interactions are influenced by their status.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2013 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)	9781467373838
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/ITMC.2013.7352679
Publication status	Published - 10 Dec 2015
Event	19th International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013 - The Hague, Netherlands Duration: 24 Jun 2013 → 26 Jun 2013

Publication series

Name	2013 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013

Conference

Conference	19th International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013
Country/Territory	Netherlands
City	The Hague
Period	24/06/13 → 26/06/13

Keywords

Collaboration
Interaction
Open Source
Problem-Solving
lexical analysis

Access to Document

10.1109/ITMC.2013.7352679

Cite this

Masmoudi, H., Fernandez, V., & Marrauld, L. (2015). The organization of distributed problem-solving networks: Examining how core and periphery interact together to solve problems in Mozilla's community. In 2013 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013 Article 7352679 (2013 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/ITMC.2013.7352679

Masmoudi, Hela ; Fernandez, Valerie ; Marrauld, Laurie. / The organization of distributed problem-solving networks : Examining how core and periphery interact together to solve problems in Mozilla's community. 2013 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2015. (2013 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013).

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abstract = "The emerging empirical literature on Open Source communities indicates that a majority of code writing and communication activity is concentrated with a few contributors, the core (maintainers). However, these communities allow and encourage participation from anybody, the periphery. The focus of this work is on explaining how distributed communities solve software problems through the participation of a large number of participants. In particular, this paper investigates interaction, collaboration and division of labor between the core and periphery in a distributed problem-solving activity. Using a linguistic method of analysis, we study bugs that affected Firefox Internet browser as reflected in the discussions and actions reported in Bugzilla (the Mozilla's bug tracking system). As results, we find various categories in the modes of interaction between the core and periphery participants of the community and suggest that interactions are influenced by their status.",

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Masmoudi, H, Fernandez, V & Marrauld, L 2015, The organization of distributed problem-solving networks: Examining how core and periphery interact together to solve problems in Mozilla's community. in 2013 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013., 7352679, 2013 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 19th International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013, The Hague, Netherlands, 24/06/13. https://doi.org/10.1109/ITMC.2013.7352679

The organization of distributed problem-solving networks: Examining how core and periphery interact together to solve problems in Mozilla's community. / Masmoudi, Hela; Fernandez, Valerie; Marrauld, Laurie.
2013 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2015. 7352679 (2013 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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AB - The emerging empirical literature on Open Source communities indicates that a majority of code writing and communication activity is concentrated with a few contributors, the core (maintainers). However, these communities allow and encourage participation from anybody, the periphery. The focus of this work is on explaining how distributed communities solve software problems through the participation of a large number of participants. In particular, this paper investigates interaction, collaboration and division of labor between the core and periphery in a distributed problem-solving activity. Using a linguistic method of analysis, we study bugs that affected Firefox Internet browser as reflected in the discussions and actions reported in Bugzilla (the Mozilla's bug tracking system). As results, we find various categories in the modes of interaction between the core and periphery participants of the community and suggest that interactions are influenced by their status.

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Masmoudi H, Fernandez V, Marrauld L. The organization of distributed problem-solving networks: Examining how core and periphery interact together to solve problems in Mozilla's community. In 2013 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2015. 7352679. (2013 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation, ICE 2013 and IEEE International Technology Management Conference, ITMC 2013). doi: 10.1109/ITMC.2013.7352679

The organization of distributed problem-solving networks: Examining how core and periphery interact together to solve problems in Mozilla's community

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