Group Maintenance Behaviors of Core and Peripherial Members of Free/Libre Open Source Software Teams

Abstract

Abstract. Group Maintenance is pro-social, discretionary, and relation-building behavior that occurs between members of groups in order to maintain reciprocal trust and cooperation. This paper considers how Free/libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) teams demonstrate such behaviors within the context of email, as this is the primary medium through which such teams communicate. We compare group maintenance behaviors between both core and peripheral members of these groups, as well as behaviors between a group that remains producing software today and one which has since dissolved. Our findings indicate that negative politeness tactics (those which show respect for the autonomy of others) may be the most instrumental group maintenance behaviors that contribute to a FLOSS group's ability to survive and continue software production.

Core-periphery communication and the success of free/libre open source software projects

“…Scialdone et al [18] and Wei et al [19] analyzed group maintenance behaviours used by members to build and maintain reciprocal trust and cooperation in their everyday interaction messages, e.g., through emotional expressions and politeness strategies. Specifically, Scialdone et al [18] found that core members of two teams used more politeness strategies than did peripheral members.…”

“…Specifically, Scialdone et al [18] found that core members of two teams used more politeness strategies than did peripheral members. They noted in particular that "peripheral members in general do not feel as comfortable expressing a sense of belonging within their groups".…”

“…Scialdone et al [18] further noted that one team they studied that had ceased production had exhibited a greater gap between core and periphery in usage of expressions of belonging to the team. Such a situation could indicate that the peripheral members of the group did not feel ownership of the project, with negative implications for their future as potential core members.…”

“…Scialdone et al [18] and Wei et al [19] studied only a few projects and noted problems making comparisons across projects that can be quite diverse. To address this concern, in this paper we studied a larger number of projects (74 in total) that all operated within a common framework at a similar stage of development.…”

“…In this paper, we examine one factor identified by Scialdone et al [18] in their investigation of how core and peripheral members use language to create "intimacy among team members" thus "building solidarity in teams". Specifically, for H3 and H4, we examined the use of inclusive pronouns as one way that team members build a sense of belong to the group.…”