Participation of firms in Open Source Software (OSS) development is steadily increasing. In
fact a substantial part of OSS projects today are developed in informal collaboration between
firms and a community of voluntary contributors. As more and more firms are active in OSS
acquisitions of firms active in OSS development occur increasingly often. Yet despite the
economic and practical importance of OSS research has so far overlooked this phenomenon. This
dissertation explores this phenomenon of acquisitions of firms active in OSS development.
Michael Vetter examines the role of OSS in the pre-acquisition phase and the impact of
acquisitions on OSS development in the post-acquisition phase. Using qualitative and
quantitative research methods the author examines acquisition motives acquisition likelihood
timing of acquisitions and outcomes of acquisitions and discuss mechanisms behind variations
across acquisitions.The findings from the studies contribute to research on acquisitions and
OSS development while also providing insights into how to leverage OSS in target search
selection and evaluation processes as well as how to effectively manage acquisitions of firms
active in OSS and the communities around them.
