Title: An MADM risk-based evaluation-selection model of free-libre open source software tools

Authors: Manuel Mora; Jorge Marx Gómez; Rory V. O'Connor; Ovsei Gelman

Addresses: Information Systems Department, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Ave. Universidad 940, Aguascalientes 20131, Mexico ' Department of Business Informatics, University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstr. 114-118, Oldenburg 26129, Germany ' School of Computing, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland ' Center of Applied Sciences and Technology Development (CCADET), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico D.F. 04510, Mexico

Abstract: Free-libre Open-source software (FLOSS) tools are free-cost licence highly attractive to be implemented by organisations. However, not of all the FLOSS tools are mature, and failed implementations can occur. Thus, FLOSS evaluation-selection frameworks and FLOSS success-failure implementation factors studies have been conducted. In this research, we advance on such studies through an integrated FLOSS evaluation-selection model with a risk-based decision-making approach. Our model was built upon the other two literatures, and it was structured as a multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) model which contains 12 variables grouped in four risk categories: financial, organisational, end user, and technical ones. We illustrated its utilisation in the domain of information technology service management (ITSM) FLOSS tools. Hence, our model contributes to the FLOSS literature with the inclusion of the risk management approach and to the FLOSS evaluation-selection praxis with the provision of an innovative and essential risk-based model.

Keywords: FLOSS evaluation; FLOSS implementation; IT service management; information technology; ITSM; MADM; multiattribute decision making; risk management; value tree; evaluation-selection model; open source software; free-libre OSS.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2016.081665

International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, 2016 Vol.16 No.4, pp.326 - 354

Received: 16 Jan 2016
Accepted: 30 Mar 2016
Published online: 19 Jan 2017 *

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