RadhaKanta Mahapatra

Revolution or evolution?: a comparison of object-oriented and structured systems development methods

This paper examines the changes engendered when moving from a structured to an object-oriented systems development approach and reconciles the differing views concerning whether this represents an evolutionary or revolutionary change. Author co-citation analysis is used to elucidate the ideational and conceptual relationships between the two approaches. The difference in conceptual distance at the analysis and design level compared to that at the programming level is explained using Hendersons framework for organizational change. The conceptual shift during analysis and design is considered architectural, whereas for programming it is deemed merely incremental. The managerial implications of these findings are discussed and suggestions for improving the likelihood of success in the adoption of object-oriented systems development methods are provided.

Acceptance of software process innovations – the case of extreme programming

Extreme programming (XP), arguably the most popular agile development methodology, is increasingly finding favor among software developers. Its adoption and acceptance require significant changes in work habits inculcated by traditional approaches that emphasize planning, prediction, and control. Given the growing interest in XP, it is surprising that there is a paucity of research articles that examine the factors that facilitate or hinder its adoption and eventual acceptance. This study aims to fill this void. Using a case study approach, we provide insights into individual, team, technological, task, and environmental factors that expedite or impede the organization-wide acceptance of XP. In particular, we study widely differing patterns of adherence to XP practices within an organization, and tease out the various issues and challenges posed by the adoption of XP. Based on our findings, we evolve factors and discuss their implications on the acceptance of XP practices.

Evaluating end-user training programs

With some planning and coordination, organizations can implement an evaluation scheme to get the most out of their computer skills training programs.

Distributed cognition in software design: an experimental investigation of the role of design patterns and collaboration

Software design is a knowledge intensive task that constitutes a critical part of the software development process. Using a controlled experiment involving software practitioners, this research examines two potentially useful mechanisms for improving the software design process. Specifically, this study examines the impact of structural distribution of cognition through design patterns and social distribution of cognition through collaborating pairs on design outcomes. The results indicate that the use of design patterns as external cognitive artifacts improves design quality, reduces time taken to solve a design problem, and leads to higher participant satisfaction. Collaborating pairs of software designers were compared to participants working alone but whose efforts were conjointly considered as the best and second-best members of nominal pairs. It was found that paired designers produced higher quality designs compared with the second-best members of nominal pairs, did not differ from the best member of a nominal pair, but took more time to complete a design task than either member of a nominal pair. The results also indicate that the availability of design patterns raises the performance level of the second-best member of a nominal pair, in terms of quality, and reduces task completion time when compared with a pair not using design patterns. Finally, paired designers were found to experience higher levels of task satisfaction when compared with individuals. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Is Information Systems a Reference Discipline

In recent times, there has been a growing interest in the level of intellectual contribution that IS makes to other disciplines. Much of the debate that has dominated the literature so far is based on the visions and opinions of a few IS scholars. This study endeavors to provide new insights into these deliberations by examining citation flows between journals from various business fields, many of which have served as reference disciplines to IS research. A log-multiplicative model was used to assess the influence of IS journals vis-à-vis other business journals. Further, inter-disciplinary flows were analyzed to address the question of whether IS is a valuable source or provider of knowledge. The results suggest that IS, while serving as a modest source of knowledge to management and marketing, is still predominantly a refereeing discipline, relying primarily on these two disciplines for its research.

Effect of Task Mental Models on Software Developer's Performance: An Experimental Investigation

This study provides some preliminary results on the efficacy of mental models in software development. Specifically, based on results from a controlled laboratory experiment, it shows that a software developers mental model quality is a determinant of software quality performance, regardless of whether the task is performed individually or in pairs. Further, this effect is found to be consistent across software tasks of varying complexity.

SPECIAL THEME OF RESEARCH IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN - III TEACHING SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN - A CASE FOR THE OBJECT ORIENTED APPROACH

Object oriented technologies are widely accepted in software development. A survey of universities run in 2005 found that most schools recognize the need to teach OO languages. However, they continue to teach structured analysis and design. In this article we argue that this approach is a fundamental conceptual mismatch. Further, we contend that a pure OO curriculum involving OO languages and OO analysis and design is advisable in our efforts to equip our students with the knowledge to be successful as software developers. We offer ways to transition to a curriculum that emphasizes the OO philosophy of development.