A qualitative survey on Policy and Practice, by Johan Linåker, Sachiko Muto
This report delves into how Public Sector Organizations (PSOs) and the public sector at large facilitate software reuse, specifically through Open Source Software (OSS) as an instrument. The report is commissioned by the Danish Agency for Digital Government (Digitaliseringsstyrelsen1) and Local Government Denmark (KL2), which provide input on how Danish PSOs can specifically improve at reaping benefits by reusing existing software and creating value by developing software in a way that can be reused. A qualitative survey is conducted on a sample of 15 countries considered mature in their digital practices, as indicated through a set of digital maturity indicators. These countries are surveyed in terms of government policies, rationales, support mechanisms, means of promotion, and success stories related to software reuse. The surveyed countries exhibit diverse policies, emphasizing interoperability, digital sovereignty, transparency, and cost efficiency. Economic arguments, interoperability, and transparency are prominent goals, while digital sovereignty varies. Security concerns are discussed, acknowledging both risks and benefits of OSS. The report identifies emerging support structures, including Open Source Program Offices (OSPOs), crucial for institutional capacity. Success stories highlight the transformation to sustainable governance enabled through the use of neutral proxy organizations acting as stewards for public sector OSS projects. Recommendations are provided that focus on fostering software reuse through OSS adoption, aiming to guide policy- and decisionmakers at national, regional, and local government levels. The report contributes valuable insights for countries, like Denmark, seeking to leverage software reuse through OSS in their digital transformations.
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