Cultural Issues in Distributed Software Development: A Review | SpringerLink
Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Cultural Issues in Distributed Software Development: A Review

  • Conference paper
On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems: OTM 2014 Workshops (OTM 2014)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 8842))

Abstract

Cultural impact is significant in global or distributed software development. Due to cultural differences, co-ordination and collaboration problems have been reported in case studies and this also leads to low quality deliverables and high turnover in software industry. This paper presents a literature review of distributed software development (DSD) or global software development (GSD) and cultural issues. The main focus is to highlight the current research, observations, as well as practice directions in these areas. Many studies have been performed in culture and global software development, still impact of culture in distributed software development in different dimensions received less attention among researchers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
¥17,985 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
JPY 3498
Price includes VAT (Japan)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
JPY 5719
Price includes VAT (Japan)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
JPY 7149
Price includes VAT (Japan)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ozawa, H., Zhang, L.: Adapting Agile Methodology to Overcome Social Differences in Project Members. In: Agile Conference (AGILE), pp. 82–87 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Walsham, G.: Making a world of difference: It in a global context. Wiley, Chichester (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Siakas, K.V., Balstrup, B.: Software outsourcing quality achieved by global virtual collaboration. Softw. Process: Improve. Pract. 11, 319–328 (2006), doi:10.1002/spip.275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Paasivaara, M., Durasiewicz, S., Lassenius, C.: Distributed Agile Development: Using Scrum in a Large Project. In: IEEE International Conference on Global Software Engineering, ICGSE 2008, August 17-20, pp. 87–95 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Beise, C.M.: IT project management and virtual teams. In: Proceedings of the 2004 SIGMIS Conference on Computer Personnel research: Careers, Culture, and Ethics in a Networked Environment (SIGMIS CPR 2004), pp. 129–133. ACM, New York (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Carmel, E.: Global Software Teams: Collaborating Across Borders and Time Zones. Prentice Hall PTR, Upper Saddle River (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Baugher, D., Varanelli, A., Weisbord, E.: Gender And Culture Diversity Occurring In Sell-formed Work Groups. Journal of Managerial Issues 12(4), 391–407 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Casey, V., Deshpande, S., Richardson, I.: Outsourcing Software Development The Remote Project Manager’s Perspective. In: Second Information Systems Workshop on Global Sourcing, Services, Knowledge and Innovation, Vald’Isére, France (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Richardson, I., Casey, V., Mccaffery, F., Burton, J., Beecham, S.: A Process Framework for Global Software Engineering Teams. Inf. Softw. Technol. 54(11), 1175–1191 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Casey, V., Richardson, I.: Uncovering the reality within virtual software teams. In: First International Workshop on Global Software Development for the Practitioner, ICSE 2006, China, vol. 2006. ACM Press, Shanghai (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Nurmi, N., Bosch-Sijtsema, P., Sivunen, A., Fruchter, R.: Who shouts louder?: exerting power across distance and culture. In: Proceedings of the 2009 International Workshop on Intercultural Collaboration. ACM, Palo Alto (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Persson, J.S., Mathiassen, L., Boeg, J., Madsen, T.S., Steinson, F.: Managing risks in distributed software projects: an integrative framework. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management 56(3), 508–532 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Karolak, D.W.: Global Software Development: Managing Virtual Teams and Environments. IEEE Computer Society Press, Los Alamitos (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Jablokow, K., Myers, M.: Managing cognitive and cultural diversity in global IT teams. In: 5th IEEE International Conference on Global Software Engineering (ICGSE) (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Casey, V.: Imparting the importance of culture to global software development. ACM Inroads, Special Issue on Global Intercultural Collaboration 1(3), 51–57 (2010)

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  16. MacGregor, E., Hsieh, Y., Kruchten, P.: The impact of intercultural factors on global software development. In: Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering 2005, pp. 920–926 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Hofstede, G.: Culture’s Consequences, Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and Organizations Across Nations. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Hall, E.: Beyond culture, 2nd edn. Anchor Book (1997) (originally published in 1977)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Hall, E.: The hidden dimension, 2nd edn. Anchor Books (1990) (originally published in 1966)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Hampden-Turner, C., Trompenaars, F.: Response to Geert Hofstede. International Journal of Intercultural Relations 21(1), 149–159 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Boden, A., Avram, G., Bannon, L., Wulf, V.: Knowledge sharing practices and the impact of cultural factors: reflections on two case studies of offshoring in SME. J. Softw. Evol. and Proc. 24, 139–152 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Hsieh, Y.: Culture and shared understanding in distributed requirements engineering. In: Proceedings IEEE International Conference on Global Software Engineering, pp. 101–108. IEEE Computer Society Press, Silver Spring MD (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Rutkowski, A.F., Vogel, D.R., Van Genuchten, M., Bemelmans, T.M.A., Favier, M.: Ecollaboration:The Reality of Virtuality. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication 45(4), 219–230 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Casey, V., Richardson, I.: Practical Experience of Virtual Team Software Development. In: Euro SPI 2004 European Software Process Improvement, Trondheim, Norway (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Deshpande, S., Richardson, I., Casey, V., Beecham, S.: Culture in Global Software Development - A Weakness or Strength? In: Proceedings of the 2010 5th IEEE International Conference on Global Software Engineering (ICGSE 2010), pp. 67–76. IEEE Computer Society, Washington, DC (2010)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  26. Casey, V.: Leveraging or exploiting cultural difference? In: Fourth IEEE International Conference on Global Software Engineering, ICGSE 2009, pp. 8–17 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Shah, H., Harrold, M.J., Sinha, S.: Global software testing under deadline pressure: Vendor-side experiences. Inf. Softw. Technol. 56(1), 6–19 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Casey, V.: Software Testing and Global Industry: Future Paradigms. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, United Kingdom (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Winkler, J., Dibbern, J., Heinzel, A.: The impact of cultural differences on outsourced offshoring. Information System Frontiers 10(2008), 243–258 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Abufardeh, S., Magel, K.: The impact of global software cultural and linguistic aspects on Global Software Development process (GSD): Issues and challenges. In: 2010 4th International Conference on New Trends in Information Science and Service Science (NISS), pp. 133–138 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Damian, D., Hadwin, A., Al-Ani, B.: Instructional design and assessment strategies for teaching global software development: a framework. In: Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Software Engineering, pp. 685–690. ACM, Shanghai (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Endrass, B., André, E., Huang, L., Gratch, J.: A data-driven approach to model culture-specific communication management styles for virtual agents. In: Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, Toronto, Canada. International Foundation for Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, pp. 99–108 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Noll, J., Beecham, S., Richardson, I.: Global software development and collaboration: barriers and solutions. ACM SIGCSE Bulletin – Special Section on Global Intercultural Collaboration (September 2010)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Nidhra, S., Yanamadala, M., Afzal, W., Torkar, R.: Knowledge transfer challenges and mitigation strategies in global software development – A systematic literature review and industrial validation. International Journal of Information Management 33(2), 333–355 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Monasor, M.J., Vizcaíno, A., Piattini, M.: Cultural and linguistic problems in GSD: a simulator to train engineers in these issues. J. Softw. Evol. and Proc. 24, 707–717 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Boutellier, R., Gassmann, O., Macho, H., Roux, M.: Management of dispersed product development teams: the role of information technologies. R&D Management 28, 13–25 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Jensen, M., Menon, S., Mangset, L.E., Dalberg, V.: Managing Offshore Outsourcing of Knowledge-intensive Projects – A People Centric Approach. International Conference on Global Software Engineering (ICGSE 2007), Munich (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Pauleen, D.J., Yoong, P.: Relationship building and the use of ICT in boundary-crossing virtual teams: A facilitator’s perspective. Journal of Information Technology 16(4), 205–220 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Ebert, C., De Neve, P.: Surviving global software development. IEEE Software 18(2), 62–69 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Chudoba, K.M., Wynn, E., Lu, M., Watson-Manheim, M.B.: How virtual are we? Measuring virtuality in a global organization. Information Systems Journal 15(4), 279–306 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Herbsleb, J.D., Moitra, D.: Global Software Development. IEEE Software 18(2), 16–20 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Herbsleb, J.D., Mockus, A., Finholt, T.A., Ginter, V.: Distance, Dependencies and Delay in Global Collaboration. In: Proceedings of the 2000 ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work 2000. ACM Press, Philadelphia (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Mikulovic, V., Heiss, M., Herbsleb, J.D.: Practices and Supporting Structures for Mature Inquiry Culture in Distributed Software Development Projects. In: International Conference on Global Software Engineering, ICGSE 2006, vol. 246, pp. 245–246 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Levesque, L.L., Wilson, J.M., Wholey, D.R.: Cognitive Divergence and Shared Mental Models in Software Development Project Teams. Journal of Organizational Behavior 22, 135–144 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Orlikowski, W.J.: Knowing in Practice: Enacting a Collective Capability in Distributed Organizing. Organization Science 13, 249–273 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Mishra, D., Mishra, A.: A Global Software Inspection Process For Distributed Software Development. Journal of Universal Computer Science 18(19), 2731–2746 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  47. Mishra, D., Mishra, A.: A software inspection process for globally distributed teams. In: Meersman, R., Dillon, T., Herrero, P. (eds.) OTM 2010. LNCS, vol. 6428, pp. 289–296. Springer, Heidelberg (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  48. Oshri, I., Van Fenema, P., Kotlarsky, J.: Knowledge transfer in globally distributed teams: the role of transactive memory. Information Systems Journal 18, 593–616 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Thanasankit, T., Corbitt, B.: Thai Culture and Communication of Decision Making Processes in Requirements Engineering. Proceedings of Cultural Attitudes towards Technology and Communication, 217–242 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  50. Wiener, M., Stephan, R.: Reverse Presentations - A Client-Driven Method for Requirements Engineering in Offshore Software Development. Business & Information Systems Engineering 2(3), 141–153 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Salger, F., Sauer, S., Engels, G., Baumann, A.: Knowledge transfer in global software development—Leveraging ontologies, tools and assessments. In: Proceedings of the 5th IEEE International Conference on Global Software Engineering (ICGSE 2010), pp. 336–341. IEEE Computer Society (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  52. Mishra, D., Mishra, A.: Distributed Information System Development: Review of Some Management Issues. In: Meersman, R., Herrero, P., Dillon, T. (eds.) OTM 2009 Workshops. LNCS, vol. 5872, pp. 282–291. Springer, Heidelberg (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  53. Kotlarsky, J., Oshri, I.: Social ties, knowledge sharing and successful collaboration in globally distributed system development projects. Eur. J. Inf. Syst. 14(1), 37–48 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Chen, J., Sun, P.Y.T., McQueen, R.J.: The impact of national cultures on structured knowledge transfer. Journal of Knowledge Management 14(2), 228–242 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Dibbern, J., Winkler, J., Heinzl, A.: Explaining Variations in Client Extra Costs between Software Projects Offshored to India. MIS Quarterly 32(2), 333–366 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  56. Desouza, K.C., Awazu, Y., Baloh, P.: Managing knowledge in global software development efforts: Issues and practices. IEEE Software 23, 30–37 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Mishra, D., Mishra, A.: Research Trends in Management Issues of Global Software Development: Evaluating the Past to Envision the Future. Journal of Global Information Technology Management 14(4), 48–69 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Software Engineering, Atilim University, Incek, Ankara, Turkey

    Alok Mishra

  2. Department of Computer Engineering, Atilim University, Incek, Ankara, Turkey

    Deepti Mishra

Authors
  1. Alok Mishra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Deepti Mishra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. TU Graz, Rechbauerstraße 12, 8010, Graz, Austria

    Robert Meersman

  2. CRAN, University of Lorraine, Campus Sciences, BP 70239, 54506, Vandoevre-les-Nancy, France

    Hervé Panetto

  3. Department of Software Engineering, Atilim Univeristy, Kızılcaşar Mh Mh, 06830, Ankara, Turkey

    Alok Mishra

  4. Facultad de Informática, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain

    Rafael Valencia-García

  5. Dep. of Informatics Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal

    António Lucas Soares

  6. SIGMA / LIG, Joseph Fourier University, 220 Rue de la Chimie, BP 53, 38041, Grenoble Cedex 9, France

    Ioana Ciuciu

  7. Institute for Research on Population and Social, National Research Council, Policies, Via Palestro 32, 00185, Rome, Italy

    Fernando Ferri

  8. Dep. Business Informatics, Communications Engineering, Johannes Kepler University, Freistaedterstrasse 315, 4040, Linz, Austria

    Georg Weichhart

  9. STINA Business Solutions GmbH, Schottenfeldgasse 63/2, 1070, Wien, Austria

    Thomas Moser

  10. SAP Research, 805 avenue du Dr Donat, 06259, Sophia-Antipolis, Mougins, France

    Michele Bezzi

  11. Department of Computing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, PQ806, Mong Man Wai Building, Hong Kong,, China

    Henry Chan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Mishra, A., Mishra, D. (2014). Cultural Issues in Distributed Software Development: A Review. In: Meersman, R., et al. On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems: OTM 2014 Workshops. OTM 2014. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 8842. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-45550-0_45

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-45550-0_45

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-45549-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-45550-0

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics