Public Sector Open Source Program Offices - Archetypes for how to Grow (Common) Institutional Capabilities

A new research paper published on arXiv provides a crucial roadmap for European public sector organisations looking to strategically adopt open source software (OSS). The study, conducted by Johan Linåker, Astor Nummelin Carlberg, and Ciaran O'Riordan, addresses a critical gap by systematically analyzing how Public Sector Organisations (PSOs) can establish effective Open Source Programme Offices (OSPOs). Through interviews with 18 representatives from 16 different public-sector OSPO cases across the EU, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland, the researchers aimed to understand the organizational structures and support functions needed to enable OSS collaboration, which underpins over 90% of modern digital infrastructure.

The core finding is the identification of six distinct OSPO archetypes, each representing a different model for structuring these competency centers based on an organization's specific context, resources, and policy goals. The research, validated through follow-up focus groups, moves beyond theory to offer concrete, practical guidance. It concludes that strategically designed OSPOs are essential for PSOs to achieve broader objectives like digital sovereignty, economic growth, and improved service interoperability. The study provides policymakers with a tangible framework to leverage OSS not just as a technical tool, but as a strategic asset for public digital transformation.