Transparent Collaborative Sharing: Adopting Open-Source Methodology for Improving Business Processes and Public Trust

• Published in: The Journal of technology studies 2024-06, Vol.49 (1), p.8-20
• Main Authors: BOSEK, LAWRENCE, PICKARD, JOHN, CHUANG, SZUFANG, BATTS, DAVID, MUSGRAVE, JON
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accountability; Attitudes; Collaboration; Community; Computer Security; Computer Software; Consumers; Electronic Equipment; Information Needs; Information Services; Information sharing; Internet; Network security; Open source software; Open Source Technology; Shared Resources and Services; Society; Transparency
• ISSN: 1071-6084; 1541-9258; 1541-9258
• DOI: 10.21061/jts.418

Technology and the Internet have given rise to the availability of information at our fingertips. While the public, particularly consumers, are more commonly described as being the leading users and beneficiaries of electronic information services, businesses and governments are also players in the same information technology resource arena. Technology is also being integrated more in our everyday lives. Important information can now be easily stored on Internet websites for the public, businesses, and other governmental offices to search and peruse when needed. The Internet has also allowed for electronic devices to connect and communicate with each other in ways that make the transmitted information a commodity. These services can be vulnerable to exploitation and are often compromised due to lacking security. Furthermore, there is a plethora of information that is kept secret from the public for various reasons that could be used to better understand and improve upon the essential services in our society. All of these factors together impact the public trust. This study examines the attitudes, behaviors, and expectations in which open-source methods are used, as well as ways for improving transparency, security, communication, information, and resource sharing, and ultimately public trust among technology managers at companies in the United States of America with annual revenues of $10 million or more. Open-ended questions and conversational topics were used to gather insight and sentiments in a qualitative fashion while quantitative data was also gathered for perceptions, demographics, education levels, and industry experience.