This book addresses the identification and classification of knowledge acquired through experience that results from engaging in professional activities within the software industry. As a result of this study, the book presents an ontology of such professional activities that require and enable the acquisition of experience and that, in turn, are the basis for tacit knowledge creation. The rationale behind the creation of such an ontology was based on the need to externalize this tacit knowledge and then record such externalizations so that these can be shared and disseminated within and across organizations. The book discusses the very concise manner in which experienced software development practitioners in China understand the nature and value of experience in the SW industry, effectively communicate with other stakeholders in the software development process, are able and motivated to actively engage with continuous professional development, are able to share knowledge with peers and the profession at large, and effectively work on projects and exhibit a sound professional attitude both internally to their own company and externally to customers, partners, and even competitors. The book also discusses the ontology and the qualitative process that are generated by bridging two extremely topical aspects of practice in the software industry, namely, employability skills and competencies. The book is of interest to academics in the areas of knowledge management and information systems, as well as human resources practitioners concerned with selection and development and knowledge and information professionals in software organizations.
Author(s): Hui Chen, Miguel Baptista Nunes
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 376
City: Singapore
Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Research Background
1.2 Study’s Research Questions and Objectives
1.3 Overview of Research Methodology
1.4 Structure of the Book
References
2 Literature Review
2.1 Introduction and Rationale for Knowledge Management
2.2 Organisational Learning
2.2.1 Data, Information and Knowledge
2.2.2 Types of Knowledge
2.2.3 Organisational Learning Processes and Memory
2.3 Knowledge Management
2.3.1 Tacit Knowledge Codification
2.3.2 Explicit Knowledge and Databases
2.3.3 Knowledge Sharing and Dissemination
2.3.4 Knowledge Management Models
2.4 Knowledge Management in the Software Industry
2.4.1 The Nature of the Software Sector
2.4.2 Main Operational and Management Activities
2.4.3 Survey of Knowledge Management Implementation in the Software Industry
References
3 Overview and Selection of Research Methodology and Methods
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research Philosophies
3.2.1 Positivism
3.2.2 Realism
3.2.3 Interpretivism
3.3 Research Approaches
3.3.1 Deduction
3.3.2 Induction
3.4 Research Paradigms
3.4.1 Quantitative Paradigm
3.4.2 Qualitative Paradigm
3.5 Research Strategies
3.5.1 Experiment
3.5.2 Survey
3.5.3 Ethnography
3.5.4 Action Research
3.5.5 Case Study
3.5.6 Grounded Theory
3.6 Combination of Case Study and Grounded Theory
3.6.1 Characteristics of Case Study Research
3.6.2 Characteristics of Grounded Theory
3.6.3 Rationale for the Proposed Combination Methods
3.7 Summary
References
4 Research Design and Process
4.1 General Research Design
4.1.1 Literature Review
4.1.2 Pilot Study
4.1.3 Main Study
4.1.4 Theory Proposition and Reporting
4.2 Case Studies
4.2.1 Pilot Study Company
4.2.2 Main Study Companies
4.2.3 Negotiating Access and Fieldwork Setting
4.3 Procedures of Data Collection
4.3.1 Interview Process
4.3.2 Interview Type
4.3.3 Interview Design
4.3.4 Pre-Testing Interview
4.4 Procedures of Data Analysis
4.4.1 Open Coding
4.4.2 Axial Coding
4.4.3 Selective Coding
4.4.4 Constant Comparison
4.4.5 Memoing
4.5 Ethical Considerations
4.6 Summary
References
5 Findings: SW Industry’s Professional Aspects That Require Experience
5.1 Introduction
5.2 The Evolution of Research Findings
5.2.1 Preliminary Findings from Pilot Study
5.2.2 Findings from Main Study
5.3 Understanding the Nature of Experience
5.4 Communication
5.4.1 Understanding the Importance of Communication
5.4.2 Communication with Different Agents in the Development Process
5.4.3 Ability to Use Different Communication Modes
5.5 Individual Development
5.5.1 Motivation for Continuous Professional Development
5.5.2 Modes of Learning for Continuous Professional Development
5.5.3 Specific Learning Resources
5.6 Knowledge Sharing
5.6.1 Motivation for Knowledge Sharing
5.6.2 Awareness of Benefits of Knowledge Sharing
5.6.3 Knowledge Sharing with Different Agents
5.7 Working in Projects
5.7.1 Management of Projects
5.7.2 Management of Projects Teams
5.7.3 Working in Project Teams
5.7.4 Interacting with Customers
5.7.5 Building and Maintaining Customers’ Trust
5.7.6 Providing Training to Customers
5.8 Professional Attitude
5.8.1 Self-Motivation
5.8.2 Self-Adjustment
5.8.3 Self-Stress Management
5.8.4 Self-Confidence
5.9 Summary of Findings
References
6 Discussion and Reflection on the Nature of the Research Findings
6.1 General Discussion of Findings
6.2 Reflection on the Nature of the Findings
6.2.1 A New Ontology to Express and Categorise Experience in Terms of Tacit Knowledge
6.2.2 The Nature of the Theory Proposed
6.2.3 Transferable and Chinese Specific Aspects of the Theory Proposed
6.2.4 Challenging of Traditional Perceptions of Compartmentalisation of Experience in SW Development
6.3 Positioning in the Body of Knowledge
6.3.1 Comparison with Competency Models
6.3.2 Comparison with Employability Models
6.3.3 Positioning of the Theory Proposed
References
7 Concluding Remarks and Identification of Theoretical and Practical Contributions
7.1 Summary of the Study
7.2 Reflections on the Study Process
7.2.1 Response to the Research Questions
7.2.2 Reflection on the Research Process
7.2.3 Limitations of the Research
7.3 Contribution of Findings to the Body of Knowledge
7.3.1 Theoretical Contributions
7.3.2 Practical Contributions
7.4 Future Work
References
Appendices
Appendix 1: 2007 NAICS Search Results for Software
Appendix 2: KOMPASS Search Results for Software
Appendix 3: Research Information Sheet
Appendix 4: Consent Form
Appendix 5: Interview Script
Appendix 6: Presentation of Findings from the Pilot Study
Appendix 7: Concept Map with Main Categories and Sub-Categories
Appendix 8: Presentation of Findings from the Main Study
References
