Social3Source: Connecting Social Provenance, Societal Qualities, and Social Purpose on an Open-Source Software Foundation

2026-09-26

AI Summary

This study addresses the neglect of social value, development processes, and ultimate objectives in open-source software (OSS) development by proposing the concept of Social3Source and a novel OSS paradigm. Methodologically, it employs sociotechnical systems analysis and open-source community governance mechanisms to deeply integrate social sources, qualities, and purposes throughout the entire development lifecycle. The primary contribution lies in establishing the first theoretical framework that connects these three elements, alongside defining preliminary implementation pathways to ensure software delivers tangible societal benefits. Ultimately, this work offers a new perspective for governing open-source ecosystems that effectively balances technical efficacy with social value.

Abstract

The speed at which software can be created and deployed today has increased dramatically. But what is the point of all this software if it does not contribute to society? The ultimate goal of building software should be bettering human lives and society. And this goes beyond publishing the software as open source; it requires considering how it is developed, the societal qualities it embodies, and the purposes it serves. This is what I call Social3Source. This paper presents the concept, principles, and initial discussion for the implementation of Social3Source, illustrating how it integrates social considerations into open-source software development. We have never generated as much software as we do today. Let's make sure it counts.

Problem

• Open-Source Software
• Social Provenance
• Societal Qualities
• Social Purpose
• Software Development

Innovation

• Social3Source
• Open-Source Software
• Social Provenance
• Societal Qualities
• Social Purpose