Analyzing the Impact of Different Funding and Governance Models on a OSS Project’s Success

Abstract

With the rise of blockchain technology, especially Bitcoin and Ethereum, many projects aim to enhance the blockchain environment by improving security and facilitating cryptocurrency exchanges. Open-Source Software (OSS), allowing public use and modification, is crucial in these advancements. GitHub, a popular OSS platform, provides valuable insights into project activity and community participation. This study investigates factors contributing to OSS project success, particularly the impact of funding sources and organizational structures.Data from 660 GitHub OSS projects, spanning from 2013 to the present, were analyzed using SQL and Python scripts. Key metrics such as commit counts, watches, and pull requests were collected to gauge activity levels. Additionally, a qualitative study categorized each project based on functionality, governance, and funding models, covering projects like cryptocurrency wallets, decentralized applications (Dapps), Layer 2 networks, and tokens.Preliminary results indicate that different funding and governance models significantly affect project activity on GitHub. These findings suggest that the structure and financial backing of OSS projects are vital to their development and success. Although data analysis is ongoing, the study aims to provide insights to help developers and stakeholders optimize project design and funding strategies, fostering sustainable growth and success in the OSS community.

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.