Authors: Johan Linåker, Astor Nummelin-Carlberg, Ciarán O’Riordan
The prevalence of Open Source Software (OSS) as a reusable building block and a mechanism for collaborative development is steadily increasing, both within the industry and across society. Within the context of the European public sector, OSS serves as a catalyst for open innovation and economic growth, enabling the formulation of technically free and sovereign design choices. These choices are
crucial for establishing an interoperable and sustainable common digital infrastructure, grounded in European values, laws, and requirements. Nevertheless, the adoption of OSS faces a multitude of challenges, encompassing limited technical capacities and resources, entrenched and conservative procurement practices, short-term and risk-averse planning, and a prevailing culture and practice that leans towards closure rather than openness.
Drawing inspiration from industry practices, support functions, often referred to as Open Source Programme Offices (OSPOs), have recently emerged within the public sector. They are seen as instrumental in addressing these challenges and facilitating the utilisation of OSS in digital transformation initiatives. This study delves into the structural configurations and strategic utilisation of these OSPOs within the public sector domain, with a specific focus on OSPOs within European Union (EU) member states, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland. The investigation is based on interviews conducted with 18 OSPO representatives across 16 cases.
The study classifies OSPOs into six distinct archetypes, providing insights into their organisational structures, responsibilities, and contributions to the adoption of OSS. The outcomes of this study enhance the comprehension of OSPOs as strategic endeavours aimed at promoting OSS adoption, and offer practical guidance for the implementation of OSPOs within the public sector.