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Public sector open source program offices — Archetypes for how to grow (common) institutional capabilities
RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Digital Systems, Mobility and Systems.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9851-1404
OpenForum Europe, Brussels, Belgium.
OpenForum Europe, Brussels, Belgium.
2026 (English)In: Journal of Systems and Software, ISSN 0164-1212, E-ISSN 1873-1228, Vol. 241Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Context: Open Source Software (OSS) is a crucial component of over 90% of digital infrastructure underpinning industry and public digital services, facilitating collaborative software development and dissemination. Its significance in the European public sector has been emphasised through various Ministerial Declarations, highlighting its potential to accelerate digitalisation, transform businesses, and foster a digitally skilled population. Research Aim: This study aims to explore how the adoption, development, and collaboration on OSS can be enabled through organisational support functions or centres of competency, also known as Open Source Programme Offices (OSPOs) within Public Sector Organisations (PSOs) in the European Union, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland. Methodology: A qualitative research approach was adopted, involving an interview survey of 18 OSPO representatives across 16 cases of public-sector OSPOs. These cases were cross-analysed and categorised into six OSPO archetypes. The findings were validated and enriched through two follow-up focus groups that included earlier interviewees and additional experts. Results: The study identified six distinct OSPO archetypes, providing insights into their organisational structures, responsibilities, and contributions to OSS adoption. The archetypes, along with policy recommendations, offer guidance on how PSOs can design their own OSPOs, taking into account their specific context, resources, and policy goals. Conclusions: The findings enhance the understanding of OSPOs as strategic endeavours aimed at promoting OSS adoption. The study offers practical guidance for PSOs and policymakers on leveraging OSS to achieve strategic objectives, foster digital sovereignty, drive economic growth, and improve the interoperability and quality of digital services

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier BV , 2026. Vol. 241
Keywords [en]
Open government, Open source program office, Open source software, Policy, Public administration, Public sector
National Category
Information Systems
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ri:diva-81935DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2026.112998Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105042270713OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ri-81935DiVA, id: diva2:2086135
Note

Funding text: The European Commission's DG DIGIT to OpenForum Europe and RISE through the OSOR project under Specific Contract 32 FWC DI/07929 with Wavestone SA, for which authors of this report are very grateful. The authors would further like to thank the interviewees and experts who shared their knowledge and experience underpinning the research findings presented in this study. The authors would also like to extend their gratitude to the many experts who have helped review the study through its different stages. Funding details: European Commission, EC, (32 FWC DI/07929)

Available from: 2026-07-13 Created: 2026-07-13 Last updated: 2026-07-13Bibliographically approved

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Linåker, Johan

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