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Developing software beyond customer needs and plans: an exploratory study of its forms and individual-level drivers

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  • Mattia Bianchi
  • Giacomo Marzi
  • Lamberto Zollo
  • Andrea Patrucco

Abstract

Excessive software development is the tendency to develop new software above and beyond the requirements of the market and/or planned specifications. It is a widespread phenomenon involving both risks and flexibility advantages. As it represents a challenging dilemma for software developers, it is important to study its human origins. Drawing on the tripartite model of individual attitudes, this study investigates the influence of developers’s cognitive (intuitive and rational thinking styles), affective (emotional attachment) and behavioural (reliance on past experiences) traits on two forms of excess, beyond needs and beyond plans. Using survey data on 307 software developers, this study shows that different manifestations of excess are associated with distinct traits of software developers. Emotional attachment drives beyond needs excess. A positive (negative) association is found between relying on past experiences and beyond needs excess (beyond plans excess). An intuitive cognitive style fosters the inclusion of extra features in the new product scope, whereas a rational style might lead to developing one-size-fits-all software that targets the needs of a broad user base. These findings contribute to research on the development of digital new products and production technologies by offering a comprehensive yet fine-grained picture of excessive software development’s nature and drivers.

Suggested Citation

  • Mattia Bianchi & Giacomo Marzi & Lamberto Zollo & Andrea Patrucco, 2019. "Developing software beyond customer needs and plans: an exploratory study of its forms and individual-level drivers," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(22), pages 7189-7208, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:tprsxx:v:57:y:2019:i:22:p:7189-7208
    DOI: 10.1080/00207543.2019.1581953
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    Cited by:

    1. Patrucco, Andrea S. & Marzi, Giacomo & Trabucchi, Daniel, 2023. "The role of absorptive capacity and big data analytics in strategic purchasing and supply chain management decisions," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    2. Balzano, Marco & Marzi, Giacomo, 2023. "Exploring the pathways of learning from project failure and success in new product development teams," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    3. Marzi, Giacomo & Fakhar Manesh, Mohammad & Caputo, Andrea & Pellegrini, Massimiliano Matteo & Vlačić, Božidar, 2023. "Do or do not. Cognitive configurations affecting open innovation adoption in SMEs," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).

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