How microblogging networks affect project success of open source software development

Microblogging as an emerging social media technology is becoming increasingly popular in more and more OSS communities and forms various follower networks. However, the impacts of microblogging follower network on OSS project success are rarely studied. In this study, we adopt a social network perspective to identify and hypothesize that three microblogging network mechanisms will positively affect OSS project success through knowledge sharing, and attracting more skillful and eminent developers. Using longitudinal data from a large online OSS community called Ohloh, we empirically examine the impacts of various factors for these two type of mechanisms on the commercial and technological successes of OSS projects. We found that preferential attachment and structure hole factors are supported, while accumulative advantage factors are partially supported. Our findings may provide insights for OSS stakeholders to effectively manage microblogging techniques for achieving project success. © 2012 IEEE.