(De)Centralization in Blockchain Open-Source Development Community

Date

2025-01-07

Contributor

Advisor

Department

Instructor

Depositor

Speaker

Researcher

Consultant

Interviewer

Narrator

Transcriber

Annotator

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Volume

Number/Issue

Starting Page

4635

Ending Page

Alternative Title

Abstract

The successful operation of a blockchain system crucially relies on its management of software development activities. Not only does the technological functionality of a public blockchain system depend on the quality of its source code, but also the “neutrality” of a blockchain system depends on access to and control over its source code. In this paper, we delve into the dynamic evolution of collaboration within the open-source developer community of blockchain projects. Utilizing empirical analysis techniques, we demonstrate the tendency of initially decentralized open-source communities to gravitate toward more centralized and unevenly distributed structures. Additionally, our analysis reveals that inputs to the blockchain’s software code are concentrated among a small group of contributors. Our findings have implications for the managers of decentralized open-source technology and policymakers who aim to preserve impartial access to technology.

Description

Keywords

Web3 Technologies for Digital Innovation and Transformation, blockchain, decentralization, governance, open source

Citation

Extent

10

Format

Geographic Location

Time Period

Related To

Proceedings of the 58th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences

Related To (URI)

Table of Contents

Rights

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Rights Holder

Local Contexts

Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.