A study on the factors that influence the adoption of open source software among information technology based students

Abstract

The phenomenon of Open Source Software (OSS) has hit users in computing and information technology area in many different ways. Among the factors that contributed to the increasing trends among companies and government agencies in United States of America and United Kingdom are quality, reliability, security and cost. The fundamental purpose of this study was to identify factors that influenced the adoption of OSS among IT-based students. The research model used was Diffusion of Innovation Theory by Rogers. The theory addressed five factors: Relative Advantage, Compatibility, Complexity, Trialability and Observability. The population for this research was students who were studying at public universities or private colleges who took information technology and/or computing courses. The research used two non-probability sampling approaches: convenient and purposive sampling. The data collected were analyzed using factorial, reliability, frequency, Pearson Correlation and ANOVA analysis. The findings showed that perceived Compatibility and perceived Trialability will positively affect OSS adoption decision among IT-based students. Perceived Complexity will negatively affect OSS adoption decision among IT-based students. Adopter Categories suggested by Rogers was also applicable to adoption of OSS among IT-based students. Hopefully this research would help students to become aware about OSS development and learn OSS as an important additional skill.