The many facets of distance and space: The mobility of actors in globally distributed project teams

Tony Clear, Waqar Hussain, Stephen G. MacDonell

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperResearchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Global software development practices are shaped by the challenges of time and 'distance', notions perceived to separate sites in a multi-site collaboration. Yet while sites may be fixed, the actors in global projects are mobile, so distance becomes a dynamic spatial dimension rather than a static concept. This empirical study applies grounded theory to unpack the nature of mobility within a three site globally distributed team setting. We develop a model for mapping the movements of team members in local and global spaces, and demonstrate its operation through static snapshots and dynamic patterns evolving over time. Through this study we highlight the complexity of 'mobility' as one facet of 'space' in globally distributed teams and illuminate its tight coupling with the accompanying dimensions of accessibility and context awareness.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings - 2012 IEEE 7th International Conference on Global Software Engineering, ICGSE 2012
Pages144-148
Number of pages5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Dec 2012
Externally publishedYes
Event2012 IEEE 7th International Conference on Global Software Engineering, ICGSE 2012 - Porto Alegre, Brazil
Duration: 27 Aug 201230 Aug 2012

Publication series

NameProceedings - 2012 IEEE 7th International Conference on Global Software Engineering, ICGSE 2012

Conference

Conference2012 IEEE 7th International Conference on Global Software Engineering, ICGSE 2012
Country/TerritoryBrazil
CityPorto Alegre
Period27/08/1230/08/12

Keywords

  • distance
  • global software development
  • globally distributed teams
  • mobility
  • space

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