Open Source in Developing Countries

Open Source in Developing Countries

The case for a developing country to adopt an open source software
(OSS) driven Information Technology strategy is a compelling one. In a
wider context IT is about the production, flow and control of information
in a modern state and the rules which govern such activities are thus
fundamental to its economic development. Software is a driver of those
rules. OSS under these circumstances cannot be viewed as a mere
product choice. It reflects more fundamentally an alternative strategy for
building, maintaining and changing the rules that govern information
flows in the economy.
To create value or wealth in a developing country economy as a
matter of pragmatic strategy it must create business opportunities for
private firms, reduce cost of IT investment in the private and/or public
sectors of the economy and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
government. A strategy map has been developed to demonstrate that OS
based strategic initiatives will create value through the key drivers of
business opportunities, reduced investment cost and greater efficiency
and effectiveness of government. These strategic initiatives which are
primarily driven by government encompass IT policy, advocacy and
education, capacity building, E-government and positioning of the
country’s IT industry in a globally competitive one. The actual execution
of such strategies require in varying degrees, collaboration between
government, universities and educational institutions and private firms. It
must be emphasized however that the momentum generated by such
initiatives would also result in the emergence of market driven business
opportunities, which private firms can and must exploit. In developing
such a strategic framework the risks and opportunities faced by developing
countries were considered, in addition to which the very phenomenon
of OS software, its impact on software markets, the viability and
profitability of the business model that it drives and its long run
sustainability were examined.

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