Open source leadership: Leading and managing community led programmes to support strategies for next generation broadband implementations across Europe

Abstract

Purpose

The study had three main aims. To better understand and explain commitment dynamics using a commitment based analytical model. To show that commitment is an essential foundation of synergistic interactions which drive the speed of response to environmental change. To explain why and under what circumstances people in social networks become committed to a common cause. How this leads to authentic identity creation and how both lead successful outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The fieldwork for the study was qualitative and interpretive in nature and used semi-structured interviews to collect the data. As a consequence, the approach was mindful of issues of reflexivity wherein it is acknowledged that the researcher-respondent are conjoined in a sense-making process which is unavoidable and inevitable. It proceeded in three phases: sampling of the case, data gathering, and data analysis. One case was selected in order to increase the depth of the analysis, acquire and report experience with the gathering of new and unfamiliar data.

Findings

The findings suggest that commitment based community networks are primarily driven by concerns. The study shows that in order to shift the concerns of a culture, community network leaders must clearly articulate and gain “buy in” to the concerns to be addressed. They must create and maintain a clear focus and develop a shared sense of commitment among participants. The research reveals a complex interaction between the commitment drivers and the successful outcomes of the project especially the unfolding and alteration of commitments in time and through time at the strategic, transforming and operating levels as circumstances change.

Research limitations/implications

Being qualitative and interpretive in nature, the approach is limited by issues of reflexivity wherein it is acknowledged that the researcher-respondent are conjoined in a sense-making process. While this is unavoidable and inevitable, the findings from this study have implications for research into the impact of community based networking strategies on strategic management because so much strategic planning in business is preoccupied by public reputation.

Practical implications

In taking the position that personal and corporate identity is neither wholly the result of total commitment nor wholly the result of recognition-based identity, the practical implications require a deeper consideration of the challenges surrounding collaborative community models. Because language is used loosely, requests can be made ambiguously and commitments frivolously. The inevitable result is a total breakdown in trust.

Originality/value

This work is highly original because it points to the obvious which few leaders and managers appear to take into account. In those cases where the power of language and commitment are considered, the results are highly positive.

Citation

John Gadman, L. (2013), "Open source leadership: Leading and managing community led programmes to support strategies for next generation broadband implementations across Europe", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 21 No. 4, pp. 528-545. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-03-2012-0571