Global and task effects in information-seeking among software engineers

Abstract

Information-seeking strategies were explored in software engineers. A complex interaction of task and geographic differences was revealed. There is a general tendency across software engineers to favor non-social sources, such as documentation, for tasks where the goal is to seek factual information. More social sources are preferred when seeking information to diagnostic, problem-solving questions. Within this effect, some geographic variations assert themselves in a way that might partly be interpreted in terms of national cultural differences in Individualism vs. Collectivism. Implications of geographic differences in information-seeking for collaboration within global software development teams are discussed.

Contextualizing the information‐seeking behavior of software engineers

“…Similarly, Hertzum () found that the key selection factor for software engineers was appropriateness to task, and Fidel and Green () found that the second most important factor overall was can give data that meets the needs of the project . Further support for the importance of task‐appropriate information to software engineers was reported by Milewski () and Montesi and Navarrete (). Taken together, these studies suggest that situational, or task‐based relevance (Borlund, ), plays a major role in source‐selection decisions by software engineers.…”

“…However, more recent research has suggested that this principle does not adequately explain how engineers select from among available information sources. Alternate explanations include the role of trust, the challenges associated with finding information, the effect of different task types, cultural norms, and the richer opportunities for feedback and contextualization afforded by direct communication (Anderson et al, 2001;Hertzum, 2002;Hertzum, Anderson, Anderson, & Hansen, 2002;Hertzum & Pejtersen, 2000;Kwasitsu, 2003;Milewski, 2007).…”

Guidelines for Effective Bridging in Global Software Engineering

“…To the extent that team members can find, in a repository, everything they need to know in order to do their jobs, bridges become an unnecessary information channel. Nonsocial sources are often preferred for factual, predictable and highly specified information as well as more formal information that typically occurs at the beginning and end of a project (Milewski 2007). But even for an organization committed to repositing project information, it is difficult to do so for some kinds of information.…”

Tapping into past design experiences: knowledge sharing and creation during novice–expert design consultations

“…Secondly, the nature of the task influences information seeking behaviour. Milewski (2007) found that during factual tasks, software engineers often consult documentary sources, whereas during diagnostic problem-solving tasks they consult social sources. In addition, Restrepo and Christiaans (2004) found that designers consult social sources during problem structuring activities and documentary sources during problem-solving activities.…”