Evaluating the Impact of Different Funding and Governance Models on GitHub Activity of OSS Projects

Abstract

Through the use of GitHub, developers are able to improve and access Open-Source Software (OSS) projects. Due to the rise in blockchain and other new technologies, there has been plenty of development of new OSS projects. These projects can be managed through different governance models and may use different methods of funding. As a result, the methods of governance and funding can impact the developmental activity of these projects. This study analyzes data gathered from approximately 600 OSS projects using BigQuery. The data retrieved through BigQuery from each project’s respective GitHub repositories was done with the use of an SQL script. The script pulled the dates, actor lDs, and other data relating to developmental activity that ranged from 2013 to present. Once the data for each project was collected, each project’s background was researched. Information such as its funding model, governance mode, and project type was found. The developmental activity on GitHub indicates the success of an OSS project, with more activity deeming a project more successful and impactful. The study seeks to identify a relationship between the method of funding (Ex. Venture capitalist investments, token sales, donations), governance model (Ex. Non-profit organization, private company, DAO) and success for an OSS project.

This abstract is part of a collection in which the overarching large project under Dr. Jiasun Li was subdivided into discrete critical tasks that were carried out by multiple individuals or smaller teams. Abstracts in this collection read similarly given the shared project goals, but represent distinct tasks completed by the abstract authors towards finalizing the described analysis.