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Deliberate change without hierarchical influence? The case of collaborative OSS communities

Deliberate change without hierarchical influence? The case of collaborative OSS communities PurposeThis paper aims to present that deliberate change is strongly associated with formal structures and top-down influence. Hierarchical configurations have been used to structure processes, overcome resistance and get things done. But is deliberate change also possible without formal structures and hierarchical influence?Design/methodology/approachThis longitudinal, qualitative study investigates an open-source software (OSS) community named TYPO3. This case exhibits no formal hierarchical attributes. The study is based on mailing lists, interviews and observations.FindingsThe study reveals that deliberate change is indeed achievable in a non-hierarchical collaborative OSS community context. However, it presupposes the presence and active involvement of informal change agents. The paper identifies and specifies four key drivers for change agents’ influence.Originality/valueThe findings contribute to organisational analysis by providing a deeper understanding of the importance of leadership in making deliberate change possible in non-hierarchical settings. It points to the importance of “change-by-conviction”, essentially based on voluntary behaviour. This can open the door to reducing the negative side effects of deliberate change also for hierarchical organisations. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png International Journal of Organizational Analysis Emerald Publishing

Deliberate change without hierarchical influence? The case of collaborative OSS communities

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
ISSN
1934-8835
DOI
10.1108/IJOA-08-2016-1050
Publisher site
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Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to present that deliberate change is strongly associated with formal structures and top-down influence. Hierarchical configurations have been used to structure processes, overcome resistance and get things done. But is deliberate change also possible without formal structures and hierarchical influence?Design/methodology/approachThis longitudinal, qualitative study investigates an open-source software (OSS) community named TYPO3. This case exhibits no formal hierarchical attributes. The study is based on mailing lists, interviews and observations.FindingsThe study reveals that deliberate change is indeed achievable in a non-hierarchical collaborative OSS community context. However, it presupposes the presence and active involvement of informal change agents. The paper identifies and specifies four key drivers for change agents’ influence.Originality/valueThe findings contribute to organisational analysis by providing a deeper understanding of the importance of leadership in making deliberate change possible in non-hierarchical settings. It points to the importance of “change-by-conviction”, essentially based on voluntary behaviour. This can open the door to reducing the negative side effects of deliberate change also for hierarchical organisations.

Journal

International Journal of Organizational Analysis – Emerald Publishing

Published: May 8, 2017

References

  • Leader behaviors and the work environment for creativity: perceived leader support
  • Change agents, networks, and institutions: a contingency theory of organizational change
  • Why open source software can succeed
  • Collaborative institutional agency: how peer learning in communities of practice enables and inhibits micro-institutional change
  • Making sense of sensemaking in organization studies