Socio-cultural Effects on Knowledge Sharing in Collaborative Co-located Software Engineering
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Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Program
Software engineering and technology (MPSOF), MSc
Publicerad
2021
Författare
Huynh, Anders
Lam, Danny
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
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Sammanfattning
Context: Software engineering is an activity involving tedious and time-consuming
processes. It is a social activity that requires collaboration between many different
developers. Due to the collaboration between different developers, there is a risk of
social barriers that can impact the quantity and quality of shared knowledge. The
most common challenges that many developers face are generally related to cultural
diversities and lack of cultural awareness.
Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate how socio-cultural difference
influences knowledge sharing in co-located collaborative software engineering. In
addition, identifying challenges that occur due to the influence of socio-culture.
Methods: An extensive literature review is conducted by searching in established
scientific databases in order to identify and gather knowledge about socio-cultural
challenges associated with software engineering. In addition, understanding the
concept and the problems regarding culture and software engineering and how it
affects knowledge sharing. An interview form, together with a questionnaire, was
created based on the findings from the literature review. Interviews are conducted
across multicultural software development organizations located in Sweden to learn
about the issues software development teams face regarding culture, how these teams
face it as well as help give a more extensive knowledge of their adaption to it. A total
of 10 interviews were conducted to investigate challenges related to socio-cultural
and how it impacts knowledge sharing. Literature evidences were utilized to support
the results collected from interviews.
Results: Together with a complementary questionnaire, the interviews identified
four factors that hamper effective communication and knowledge sharing. The impact of seniority and the impact of hierarchy resulted in consequences such as the
unwillingness to express disagreement and opinions openly. The impact of language
barriers and cultural behaviour may cause misunderstandings and misinterpretations
of communication and shared knowledge.
Conclusion: The study signifies the importance of understanding how socio-cultural
aspects influence knowledge sharing between members in co-located teams, which
also gives a different perspective to existing research. The study draws insights into
various non-technical factors such as cultural, human, organizational, and social
while collaborating in a co-located environment. Variations across these factors will
lead to issues in regards to mutual understanding, collaboration, and communication.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Knowledge sharing , culture , collaboration , socio-culture , co-located , software engineering