Open Access

Lukas Gabriel

• Open-Source Software (OSS) has played a central role in shaping the modern digital environment. Over the last five decades, many business models have evolved around value creation with OSS. However, there remains a noticeable hesitation among businesses, especially in German Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This thesis offers a comprehensive overview of essential aspects of business strategy, licensing, and community management related to OSS. Utilizing a taxonomy-based approach, we examine three case studies relevant to German SMEs, aiming to derive actionable insights for businesses considering active involvement in OSS. By integrating public data with insights from participating company decision-makers, this research raises evidence in support of certain business strategies: It highlights the importance of a tailored user segmentation strategy and careful calibration of free and commercial offerings. It suggests the importance of a symbiotic community relationship and a balanced approach towards community governance. The analysis also presents evidence indicating the resilience of the Direct-sale revenue mechanism, and conversely, the possible vulnerabilities of Infrastructure-based models to intermediation. The thesis concludes by discussing current OSS trends and suggesting strategies considering trends such as licensing challenges and emerging software supply chain threats.