Open Source Software implementation in the UK public sector: Evidence from the field and implications for the future

In this paper the focus is on OSS use and implementation within the UK public sector. This sector has a history of resource wastage and underperforming information systems. The underpinning issues of motivation and benefits to organisations will be addressed along with the difficulties that the UK Government faces in adopting an OSS strategy. Section 2 examines the existing literature in the area and explores why OSS should be adopted and implemented by the public sector in the UK. Section 3 considers the research approach taken and the results obtained from considering the implementation of OSS in eight government organisations. Section 4 concludes with a discussion and some implications for those organisations in the public sector who might wish to take this approach.