Madeline Ann Domino

Conflict in collaborative software development

Pair Programming is an innovative collaborative software development methodology. Anecdotal and empirical evidence suggests that this agile development method produces better quality software in reduced time with higher levels of developer satisfaction. To date, little explanation has been offered as to why these improved performance outcomes occur. In this qualitative study, we focus on how individual differences, and specifically task conflict, impact results of the collaborative software development process and related outcomes. We illustrate that low to moderate levels of task conflict actually enhance performance, while high levels mitigate otherwise anticipated positive results.

Controlled experimentation on adaptations of pair programming

The use of agile methods is growing in industrial practice due to the documented benefits of increased software quality, shared programmer expertise, and user satisfaction. These methods include pair programming (two programmers working side-by-side producing the code) and test-driven approaches (test cases written first to prepare for coding). In practice, software development organizations adapt agile methods to their environment. The purpose of this research is to understand better the impacts of adapting these methods. We perform a set of controlled experiments to investigate how adaptations, or variations, to the pair programming method impact programming performance and user satisfaction. We find that method variations do influence programming results. In particular, better performance and satisfaction outcomes are achieved when the pair programming is performed in face-to-face versus virtual settings, in combination with the test-driven approach, and with more experienced programmers. We also find that limiting the extent of collaboration can be effective, especially when programmers are more experienced. These experimental results provide a rigorous foundation for deciding how to adapt pair programming methods into specific project contexts.

Assessing the IT training and development climate: an application of the Q-methodology

The Q-methodology was employed to address the managerial problem of deciding which of the firms personnel development resources should be aimed at which personnel, or groups of personnel, through the various venues of development that are available to the firm for the development of its IT workforce. The procedure identified six interpretable groups of IT professionals that seem to be associated with the development priorities of the IT management, analytical, development & programming, and operations functions. Opportunities are identified for both future research and the practical application of the Q-methodology, its associated instrumentation, and analytical procedure as a managerial decision tool in the context of the internal development of the firms IT personnel to meet the firms goals.

Applying agile software development processes to global virtual teams: a study of communication modalities

Todays information technology (IT) environment dictates speed, flexibility and a people-centered focus. Many of the new emerging agile software development processes accomplish these goals by calling for team collaboration in face-to-face settings. Globalization and the pressure to lower development costs have increased the utilization of virtual teams. These virtual teams represent a new organizational form that does not provide for same proximity collaboration. We propose an experiment that explores the impacts of different communication modalities in face-to-face and global virtual software development environments.

Factors which may bias judges’ decisions to exclude accounting expert witnesses testimony

Purpose - – This paper aims to investigate factors which may influence or bias judges’ decisions to exclude or admit the testimony of accounting expert witnesses, under the US judicial guidelines commonly known as the Daubert/Kuhmo standards. Accounting experts are increasingly providing expert testimony as a part of financial litigation support services. Design/methodology/approach - – Judges’ decisions, in which opposing council evoked a Daubert/Kuhmo challenge to the testimony provided by 130 professional accountants serving as expert witnesses, were analyzed. The period of study was 2010 through 2014. Based on prior research, three variables believed to potentially influence or bias judges to systematically exclude expert testimony were examined: gender, complexity and familiarity. Findings - – The results of binary logistic regression show that none of the variables has a significant relationship to the accounting expert witnesses’ probability of surviving a challenge to Daubert/Kuhmo standards. Findings suggest that judges are objective in evaluating the testimony provided by accounting experts under Daubert/Kuhmo guidelines and that they may be immune to biases based solely on gender, complexity and familiarity. Originality/value - – These results will be of interest to judges, lawyers and forensic accountants acting as expert witnesses.