Examining the impacts of developer involvement and it diffusion environment on the diffusion of software development techniques

Why are good software engineering practices not being used effectively in the development of software systems? This question has intrigued researchers in software engineering for many years (Parnas et al., 1985). Billions of dollars per year are spent, and a large proportion wasted, on building and maintaining software systems that are either never completed or, if completed, are of poor quality. This state of software development has led to the introduction of innovative tools and techniques to support the software development process. Initial evidence from use of these tools and techniques shows significant improvements in development productivity and software quality. However, many of these potentially beneficial tools and techniques have not been widely adopted or diffused. This research seeks to examine the reason for why this is so: What factors explain the successful diffusion of new software development techniques into practice? Software development techniques are viewed as a subset of the broader category of information technology (IT). A research framework is developed that explains the relationship between developer involvement in the IT adoption process, as well as characteristics of the environment into which the IT is introduced, and IT diffusion success. The framework shows that the effects of developer involvement and IT diffusion environment characteristics on IT diffusion success are mediated by (1) the developer's perceived control over his work when using the IT, (2) the developer's perceptions of the IT, and (3) the developer's perceptions of the impacts of IT use. A survey is developed for the collection of study data, which are analyzed using path analysis. Results find support for mediating effects of Perceived Control on the relationships between Developer Involvement, Training, Voluntariness, Champion Support, and IT Diffusion Success. Results also find direct impacts of Developer Involvement, Training, and Voluntariness on IT Diffusion Success. This research contributes to IS research by providing a model which integrates knowledge from IS, diffusion of innovations, software engineering, and social psychology to better understand why user involvement and diffusion environment impact diffusion success. Further, it provides a measure for perceived control in an IS context. This research contributes to IS practice by stressing the importance of software developer perceptions in determining IT diffusion success. The research underscores the importance of creating a perception of greater control over the software development process in order to positively influence diffusion success. Guidance is provided to IS practice by stressing the importance of software developer involvement, training, voluntariness, and champion support in the introduction of new IT. These variables can be influenced by management to enhance perceived control and, therefore, better ensure successful diffusion of new software development practices in organizations.