The selection of case studies will be guided by a hybrid framework derived from the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework (developed by Ostrom and colleagues) with integrated theories and models from related areas of openness studies, including Open Source, Open Access, Open Educational Resources, Open Data and Open Innovation. This integrated framework will serve as a “Theory of Change” (ToC) that guides the design and development of the network and subsequent development of an evaluation framework for the sub-projects and overall effectiveness of the network.
Through the IAD framework, we will highlight enabling institutional environments and begin to address policy challenges in the various contexts. The goal is not simply to document, but also to critically examine the embedded assumptions behind various models of open collaboration and theories of change. One key assumption is that OCS is a complex socio-technological system and not simply a collection of mechanisms. Attention will be given to unintended outcomes and potentially negative impacts brought about by open practices and network designs.
The key components of the research program include:
