Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Open-source software (055) refers to software collaboratively developed
by developers across the globe, which embraces the philosophy of
sharing. The fundamental idea behind open-source is that when
programmers can read, redistribute, and modify the source code for a
piece of software, the software evolves. The Internet plays an extremely
important role in the distribution of the software and today, many 055
products are downloadable free from the Internet.
Despite the inherent challenges, the research organisation Gartner
predicts that the majority of mainstream IT organisations will successfully
adopt formal open-source management strategies as core IT disciplines.
What more, IT organisations and technology vendors who ignore the
potential threats and opportunities of 055 will increasingly find
themselves at a competitive disadvantage.
However, organisations are not always clear on the appropriate strategy,
direction, and approach to take when deciding on the role of 055 in their
organisations. There is so much hype surrounding the use and the risks of
open-source that it can be difficult for organisations to know what is real
and what is not. Furthermore, organisations are intrigued but also
stymied by the myths of the costs, support, and risks of 055.
Also in South Africa, organisations and the South African Government are
asking themselves how relevant the benefits and risks of the software are
to them. Consequently, the aim of the study is to broaden the existing
knowledge of 055 in South Africa by investigating a South African
organisation's approach and decisions regarding the use of 055 in the
organisation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: "Open-Source" sagteware (OSS) verwys na sagteware wat gesamentlik ontwikkel word deur programmeerders regoor die wêreld en die filosofie van "deel met mekaar" omvat. Die wesenlike idee agter "open-source" is dat wanneer programmeerders in staat is om die die bronkode van 'n program te kan lees, versprei en wysig, die sagteware verder en beter kan ontwikkel. Die Internet speel 'n belangrike rol in die verspreiding van die sagteware, en baie OSS- produkte is vandag gratis beskikbaar vir aflaai van die Internet af. Ongeag die inherente uitdagings, voorspel die navorsingsorganisasie Gartner, dat die meerderheid hoofstroom IT -organisasies formele "open-source" bestuurstrategieë suksesvol as kern IT-dissiplines sal aanneem. Wat meer is : IT-organisasies en verskaffers van tegnologie (harde en sagteware) wat die potensiële bedreigings en geleenthede van OSS ignoreer, sal hulself toenemend in 'n nadelig-kompeterende situasie bevind. Organisasies is dikwels nuuskierig, maar ook skepties ten opsigte van die mites rondom kostes, ondersteuningstelsels en risiko's verbonde aan OSS. Sommige organisasies het nie altyd helderheid rondom die toepaslike strategie, rigting en aanslag wat gevolg moet word, wanneer 'n besluit rondom die rol van OSS binne hul organisasies geneem moet word nie. Verder is soveel verkeerde persepsies en onsekerheid rondom die gebruik van, en risiko's verbonde aan "open-source", dat dit vir sommige organisasies moeilik raak om te onderskei tussen die feite en fiksie. Ook in Suid-Afrika vra organisasies en die Suid-Afrikaanse Regering hulself die vraag af hoe relevant die voordele en risiko's van die sagteware werklik is, en hoe dit hul raak. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die bestaande kennis rondom OSS in Suid-Afrika te verbreed, deur ondersoek in te stel na 'n Suid-Afrikaanse organisasie se benadering en besluite rondom die gebruik van OSS in hul organisasie.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/21123 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Van der Walt, J. C. |
| Contributors | Gevers, Wim, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Graduate School of Business. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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