Intellectual Capital Based Evaluation Framework for Dynamic Distributed Software Development

摘要

This article presents constructing of an evaluation framework for dynamic distributed software development (DDSD). The topic examines building the capabilities, evaluating the efficiency and scaling up the performance of globally distributed software development teams in environments that demand high operational excellence, innovativeness and other intellectual properties.Three universities and four ICT service and software companies in Finland collaborate on a research project, DD?SCALE (2014?2016). The project objectives are to investigate and develop measurement solutions, tools and work practices for managing and evaluating DDSD work. The challenge of harnessing human and social capital assets for scaling high?performing teams to fit with high?performing organizations is addressed. The research began with an explorative phase for designing the preliminary concept of the evaluation framework which further defined the research questions. The increased knowledge of the object of study brought a better standpoint to judge among various approaches for the framework. Theories of Intellectual capital (IC), Performance management, productivity and distributed software development were investigated. The results of the paper are: 1) conceptualizing productivity of DDSD operations in terms of an evaluation framework on individual, team and organizational levels with dynamic IC emphasis; 2) a categorization of evaluation indicators on three aggregation levels; and 3) a baseline construction for the framework with practical trials. Contributions to the scientific community are: 1) a conceptualization of productivity in knowledge intensive technology developer organizations in terms of dynamic IC and; 2) a model for conceptualizing how the impact of dynamic IC on productivity is manifested and seen in such organizations. Both views extend the applicability of productivity as measurement within knowledge intensive organizations. Contributions to management practitioners are: 1) management and development of work practices and; 2) guidelines in exploiting the full gain from advancements in high performing software research, development and innovation (RDI) within globally distributed setting.??.