Information Altruism

Author:

Ollendyke, Bryan Todd

Graduate Program:

Information Sciences and Technology

Degree:

Master of Science

Document Type:

Master Thesis

Date of Defense:

October 07, 2015

Committee Members:

Andrea H Tapia, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor

Keywords:

Drupal
Activism
Tempered Radicalism
Hacktivism
Free Open Source Software
Information Altruism
DevOps
Actor Network Theory

Abstract:

The research follows the dissemination of an innovative educational technology solution created by the Transformational Learning Services (TLS) group. The technology, referred to as YourNetwork, is built on Drupal, a Free Open Source Software (FOSS) Content Management System (CMS). This research explores the social movements and decisions that lead to Drupal and YourNetwork’s dissemination at a large university referred to as CentralU. This has implications beyond just open source software in large organizations, into methods that can be employed by any social movement that leverages information technology. This research study reinforces politically imbued technological artifacts are just as important as the solutions they provide. It reviews the social and technological activism required to help foster adoption of innovation. The research suggests that the giving away of resources, time, energy and support associated with code transforms the nature of the relationship between actants in a previously stable Actor Network. The concept identified is a new strain of activism the research refers to as Information Altruism. Information Altruism extends the methods available to organizational activists who seek to change their culture. Information Altruism lays out factors that must be juxtaposed to the current organizational culture in order to be applied. These factors include an established currency, power flow, value system and the ability to plant a flag in the ground for your new cause. These concepts are explored through analysis of interviews with members of CentralU after efforts have been donated across the organization. Observational data and email communications also help to back the argument that a small group of Drupal users were able to transform the perception of where technology should originate.