Open Source Innovation: Theoretical Connotations, Knowledge Framework and Future Prospects

Abstract

Abstract: With the rapid development of the digital economy and artificial intelligence, open innovation models have become increasingly widespread, emerging as a crucial driver of scientific and technological progress and economic growth. However, discussions in existing literature on aspects such as discussing the connotation of open source innovation, differentiating theoretical perspectives, and analyzing and engaging in dialogue on research topics are scattered, lacking systematic review and summary. This paper conducts a comprehensive review of 321 papers related to the theme of open source innovation that were included in SSCI-indexed journals from 2001 to 2023. Based on a review of the origin of open source innovation, it deeply analyzes the theoretical connotations of this concept and summarizes the dominant theoretical perspectives for distinguishing the existing connotations of open source innovation. Further, this paper constructs an “Element-Mechanism-Outcome (EMO)” knowledge framework for open source innovation. It summarizes four basic elements of open source innovation (open source developers, open source projects, open source communities, and open source licenses), three major mechanisms in the operation process of open source innovation (development collaboration mechanism, community regulation mechanism, and business operation mechanism), and three aspects of effectiveness in the value evaluation of open source innovation (scientific and technological effectiveness, industrial effectiveness, and social effectiveness). This paper also puts forward the future research prospects of open source innovation, thereby contributing to the expansion of knowledge in theoretical research on open source innovation and providing insights for the policy practice of open source innovation.

摘要： 随着数字经济和人工智能的快速发展，开源创新模式逐渐普及，成为推动科技进步和经济发展的重要动力。然而，已有文献围绕开源创新的内涵界定、理论视角辨析、研究议题剖析与对话等方面的讨论较为分散，缺少系统评述与归纳总结。本文系统综述了2001~2023年间收录于SSCI检索期刊的321篇开源创新主题相关论文，在回顾开源创新概念源起的基础上，深入解析开源创新概念的理论内涵，并总结已有开源创新内涵辨析的主导理论视角。本文进一步建构开源创新“要素-机制-成效”知识框架，归纳总结了：开源创新构成主体的四大基本要素（开源开发者、开源项目、开源社区和开源许可证），三大运作机制（开发合作机制、社群规制机制、商业运作机制），以及三方面价值评估成效（科技成效、产业成效、社会成效）。最后，本文展望了开源创新的未来研究方向，为开源创新理论研究和政策实践做出贡献。

温馨梅亮陈凯华胡依梅. 开源创新:理论内涵、知识框架与未来展望[J]. 科学学研究, 2025, 43(11): 2300-2311.

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