Power Dynamics in a Complex OER Environment: Who Is Leading the Way?

Abstract:Many stakeholders make up the open educational resources (OER) landscape and include faculty, students, administrators, librarians, bookstore managers, traditional publishers, OER authors/publishers/aggregators, and advocacy and support organizations. Each group operates from a unique perspective, and interest in OER is motivated by different factors. Moving forward, can all stakeholder groups be successful and work together? This article examines conditions facing each group while also noting barriers preventing movement toward OER. To further analyze interrelationships and interdependencies among groups, we present five specific types of power to describe how each group can exert power over and influence the other stakeholder groups, as well as be subjected to the power of others. A more complete understanding of the power dynamics at play in the OER movement will benefit those seeking to further their own interests, whether in favor of OER, opposed to OER, or undecided.