Work

A Foot in Two Camps: The Impact of Being Embedded in Multiple Work-Related Organizations on an OSS Developer's Turnover and Job Mobility

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Software development work often requires a developer to simultaneously engage two organizations. Outsourcing, consulting, and open-source software (OSS) development exemplify such situations. These work arrangements involve challenges and benefits, particularly for developers' attachment to organizations. We synthesize job embeddedness theory with the concept of symbolic capital to understand how a developer's engagement with two organizations influences the developer's relationship with their primary employer and their movement between employers. We test our model with two studies using survey and archival data from 608 developers. We find developer embeddedness in an OSS community increases turnover from their employer and increases job mobility. Further, our results show symbolic capital (via knowledge and social standing) links OSS embeddedness to job mobility.

Source: ACM SIGMIS Database the DATABASE for Advances in Information Systems

DOI: 10.1145/3733612.3733617

Authors: Liwei Chen, Sherae Daniel, Jaime Windeler

Institution: University of Cincinnati

Language: English

Topic: Open Source Software Innovations

Subfield: Computer Science Applications

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W4409874567