Open-source license regulation，technological complexity，and sustainable development of open-source projects： An empirical study based on a large sample from GitHub

Li Lanhua; Chen Zhenzhen; Huang Can; Wang Liying; Xie Wenxin

doi:10.19571/j.cnki.1000-2995.2026.03.019

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Science Research Management ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (3) : 189-198. DOI: 10.19571/j.cnki.1000-2995.2026.03.019 CSTR: 32148.14.kygl.2026.03.019

Open-source license regulation，technological complexity，and sustainable development of open-source projects： An empirical study based on a large sample from GitHub

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Abstract

Open-source projects，particularly those in the domain of artificial intelligence，have become vital carriers for firms to achieve digital technological breakthroughs. Yet，how to choose an appropriate license that can ensure the sustainable development of open-source projects remains an unsettled question. Based on a sample of 2，536，526 open-source projects from GitHub，this study constructed a theoretical model of the differential impacts of open-source license on the sustainability of open-source projects in the context of technological complexity and empirically tested it by using the negative binomial regression method. The results showed that：（1） the adoption of open-source license has a significant positive effect on the sustainable development of open-source projects，manifested as increases in user interest and development activeness；（2） compared to restrictive license，permissive license can promote the sustainable development of open-source projects to a larger extent；（3） the license with patent grant clause has a stronger promoting effect on the sustainable development of projects than that without such a clause；and （4） technological complexity positively moderates the relationship between open-source license and the sustainability of open-source projects. This study has revealed the boundary conditions under which open-source license affects the sustainable development of open-source projects，thus helping firms improve governance mechanisms of open-source projects oriented towards complex digital technologies and offering insights for building a sustainable and prosperous open-source ecosystem.

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open-source license / open-source project / sustainable development / technological complexity / GitHub

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Li Lanhua , Chen Zhenzhen , Huang Can , et al . Open-source license regulation，technological complexity，and sustainable development of open-source projects： An empirical study based on a large sample from GitHub[J]. Science Research Management. 2026, 47(3): 189-198 https://doi.org/10.19571/j.cnki.1000-2995.2026.03.019

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