Exploring the Developer Drive

A Case Study on the Motivation of Individual Developers in Diverse Actors to Start and Continue Participation in a PaaS SECO Through the Lens of Self-Determination Theory

Master thesis (2023)

Authors

C.R. Verver Technology, Policy and Management

Contributors

Mark de Reuver (supervisor 1)
Rens Kortmann Policy Analysis - TPM (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Technology, Policy and Management
Copyright: © 2023 Caspar Verver
More Info
expand_more

Published Date

30-11-2023

Language

English

Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Faculty

Technology, Policy and Management

Abstract

This thesis explores the motivation of developers to initiate and sustain participation in a Platform-as-a-Service Software Ecosystem (PaaS SECO). PaaS, integral to SECOs, is gaining prominence for its cost advantages and scalability. The study focuses on understanding what drives developers in diverse roles to engage with PaaS SECOs and examines potential differences in motivation among developer groups.

The research adopts an exploratory case study approach, with the Mendix SECO, a low-code PaaS for enterprise application development, as the subject. Semi-structured interviews with developers from Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), service providers, and customers inform the study. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is applied to structure and comprehend developers' motivators, considering intrinsic and extrinsic motivations.

The findings underscore the significance of intrinsic motivators, such as enjoyment, intellectual stimulation, and skill enhancement, in attracting developers to PaaS SECOs. Competence-related factors, like challenge and creativity, play a pivotal role. Extrinsic motivators, like knowledge exchange and community size, also contribute to initial participation, with SECO support being crucial.

In continued participation, intrinsic motivators remain vital, with skill maturation and the evolving nature of fun being emphasized. Learning new skills aligns with staying abreast of platform innovations, sometimes driven by external pressures. Developers become more aware of the SECO's offerings, with social events acting as supplementary motivators for connection and inspiration.

Extrinsic motivators, particularly in autonomous form, gain importance in sustained participation. Developers align with the platform's strategic direction, emphasizing satisfaction with the SECO and its innovative efforts. PaaS providers' reputation and engagement in social events further enhance developers' motivation.

The study reveals overarching similarities and differences between low-code and other SECO types, questioning assumptions about developer motivations. The dominance of intrinsic motivators aligns with previous research in proprietary SECOs, but nuances, such as the desire for fast and agile development, emerge as unique to PaaS SECOs.

Theoretical contributions include enriching understanding of developer motivation in PaaS SECOs, reevaluating the intrinsic-extrinsic binary scale, and offering insights into nuanced motivators through SDT. Practical implications suggest strategies for PaaS providers, emphasizing the importance of competence-related motivators and the ongoing need for intrinsic satisfaction.

In conclusion, this thesis contributes to both theoretical and practical aspects of developer motivation in PaaS SECOs, paving the way for future research and strategies to attract and retain developers in evolving software ecosystems.