How InnerSource is driving collaboration and trust in public and private sectors

Bosch Digital participated in the recent UN Open-Source Week, contributing to a vital global dialogue on open-source technologies, digital public infrastructure (DPI), and the collaborative development of innovative solutions to pressing global challenges.

A significant highlight of this year's event was its inaugural InnerSource panel, where Bosch Digital, alongside an esteemed group of representatives from Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation, the Dutch Tax Administration, Bitergia, the BBC, and the CURIOSS community, actively championed InnerSource. This session underscored the growing recognition of InnerSource as fundamental methodology for organizational transformation and integrating open-source principles.

Georg Grütter, Chief Expert of InnerSource at Bosch Digital, ignited the discussion with an engaging skit. This performance cleverly depicts the common operational hurdles businesses encounter — just the challenges InnerSource aims to resolve. Attendees watched as the panelists humorously illustrated the often-frustrating difficulties of cross-departmental and inter-agency cooperation. The skit resonated strongly with the full room, drawing laughter and nods of recognition as the narrative unfolded.

Karel Rietveld, Specialist Open-Source Software within the CTO Office for the Dutch Tax Administration, shared insights into their open-source journey and the crucial role InnerSource has played. He remarked, "It has helped build connections throughout our organization. "We have seen growing demand across our engineering teams, as it has eased knowledge building and transfer."

The panelists collectively pointed to an accelerating trend: government agencies worldwide are increasingly investing in and adopting InnerSource practices to enhance cooperation among interdependent entities. Tom Sadler, Principal Software Engineer at the BBC, emphasized that their InnerSource implementation has been a crucial factor in harnessing the full value of open-source development within their organization. This evolution marks a fundamental change as the public sector shifts towards shared platforms designed to maximize public investment and refine service delivery.

Participants from the private sector demonstrated how InnerSource revolutionized internal development and strengthened external collaborations. Dr. Wolfgang Gehring, FOSS Ambassador/OSPO Lead at Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation cited InnerSource's critical role in their open-source adoption, prominently featured in the company’s FOSS Manifesto. Discussions consistently highlighted the importance of purpose, culture, and communication for collaborative development.

Clare Dillon, Community Lead at CURIOSS, astutely observed, "The difference between open-source and InnerSource is context. When you practice InnerSource, individuals and teams have the capacity to shape policies and processes to build a culture of trust." The advantages of InnerSource extend beyond software development, enhancing transparency, teamwork, and public resource utilization.

The panel was organized by the InnerSource Commons Foundation, which operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and connecting over 3,000 individuals from more than 800 companies, academic institutions, and government agencies worldwide. Established in 2015, the InnerSource Commons empowers organizations and individuals worldwide to leverage the principles and benefits of open collaboration within their internal operational frameworks.

Bosch is a longtime supporter and sponsor of the InnerSource Commons Foundation and an active contributor to the vibrant InnerSource community.