Greater Coherence Through an Openness

Theory of Change?3rd Global Congress on IP and the

Public Interest, Cape TownDec. 12, 2013

Matthew Smith, IDRC

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Using the word ‘open’ brings challenges.

Challenge 1

Many definitions/uses of ‘open’

= poor discussions/learning

• ’

Challenge 2

Openness enacted and researched in silos

= re-invent the

wheel

= little cross-

learning

Challenge 3

Openness is understood by many as a good in and of itself.= lack of critical inquiry

General Objective

• Improve understanding of how, for whom, and in what circumstances does openness brings benefits and costs?

Specific Objectives

• Gain clarity as to what openness is and how ‘openness’ makes a difference

• Find a common denominator for comparative research

• Greater coherence across open movement

4

clarifications

Clarification 1

Functional openness

•Openness isn’t the goal•More openness ≠ better•Openness for a purpose

Open processes are always structured:

they include and exclude,

they close off possibilities.

Clarification 2

Clarification 3

Openness in theory ≠ Openness in practice

A critical perspective is required.

NOT:

Complete theory of open / openness

IS:

Simplified framework for comparison across open activities

Clarification 4

Methodology

• Inductive

• Open science/data/education research frameworks

• Other open literature• Looked for claims as to how

Openness adds value or cost

Fundamental questions

What is it about open that makes a difference?

What does openness enable that makes a difference?

2 Dimensions of Openness

• Openness of content

• Openness to people

Digitally Enabled

Open Content

• Free as in gratis (access)

• Free as in freedom

– open license

– 4 r’s: Reuse, Revise, Remix, Redistribute

Openness to People

~ more people = more open

Focus of ToC Model

What causal social processesdoes openness enable?

Focus of ToC Model

How do people do things (e.g., organize, collaborate, coordinate) around open content and/or

technology that

brings change?

Content

Time/cost investmentCost of hostingQuality content Democratization of knowledgeInstitutional Change

Causal Process Outcome

Creating &/or making content free &/or open(incl. redistribution)

Content

Attention/timeEnhanced capabilitiesIncreased AccessReduced duplicationReduced Costs

Causal Process Outcome

Use “as-is”(reuse)

Content

Change reputation (+/-)Build trustChange values

Causal Process Outcome

Interpretation by others of open initiatives

Content

Improvement of contentImprovement of processes

Causal Process Outcome

Transparency& feedback / accountability(reuse)

Content

Attention/timeImproved content (more relevant)Novel content

Causal Process Outcome

Adaptation(Revise/Remix)

Content

Improvement of content Novel content‘Communities’

Causal Process Outcome

Collaborative production(Revise/Remix)

(more) People

InclusionBuy-inLegitimacy

Causal Process Outcome

Participationin a decision making process

Participatory budgeting, new methods of participation in development initiatives

(more) People

Access to diverse mindsNew data sourcesNew/better solutions

Causal Process Outcome

Collective actionto achieve a goal

Digital activism, crowd-sourcing, sharing economy, collective intelligence, open competitions

Cross-cutting Research Questions

How, in what circumstances, and for whom does the as-is use add value, and what are the costs?

How, in what circumstances, and for whom does the adaptation add value, and what are the costs?

Benefits of Approach

• Clarifies differences between open activities

• Basis for deepening knowledge across disciplines

• Highly practical knowledge

• Connects openness to existing literature