Robustness of open source community multi-project knowledge collaboration network based on structural hole theory

Area of Science:

• Network Science
• Open Source Community Management
• Knowledge Management

Background:

• The structural hole theory is crucial for understanding multi-project networks in open source communities (OSCs).
• Nodes in structural hole positions significantly influence network dynamics and knowledge flow.
• Identifying key node types is essential for assessing network robustness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the robustness of multi-project OSC networks based on structural hole theory.
• To investigate the impact of different key node failures on network structure and efficiency.
• To develop a model for guiding OSC management and development.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a semantic-based multi-project knowledge collaboration network (KCN).
• Identification of four key node types: knowledge contribution, knowledge dissemination, structural hole nodes (SHNs), and opinion leader nodes.
• Development of a robustness analysis model for edge failures of these key nodes, tested with empirical data from Local Motors OSC.

Main Results:

• The KCN exhibits lowest robustness upon opinion leader node failure, followed by knowledge dissemination and knowledge contribution nodes.
• SHN failure has minimal initial impact on connectivity but rapidly decreases knowledge collaboration efficiency, creating a high connectivity/low efficiency state.
• Opinion leader node failure causes the most significant network robustness decline due to their propagation effects.

Conclusions:

• Opinion leader nodes are critical for maintaining network robustness in OSCs.
• Structural hole nodes (SHNs) are essential for efficient knowledge collaboration, despite their initial low impact on connectivity.
• The developed model provides valuable insights for targeted management strategies in multi-project OSCs.