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Ambidexterity in Agile Distributed Development: An Empirical Investigation

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  • Balasubramaniam Ramesh

    (Computer Information Systems Department, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30302)

  • Kannan Mohan

    (Department of Statistics and Computer Information Systems, Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, City University of New York, New York, New York, 10010)

  • Lan Cao

    (Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23529)

Abstract

Distributed software development has become a common reality with the advent of off-shore development and the need to be close to markets. Also, the dynamic nature of the environment in which businesses operate suggests the use of agile development methods. Whereas distributed software development requires the use of formal processes advocated by plan-driven approaches, rapidly changing environments are appropriate candidates for the use of agile development methods. This tension in agile distributed development poses conflicting demands between alignment and adaptability in the software development process. We conducted a multisite case study of three projects that use agile distributed development to examine how these organizations developed contextual ambidexterity---the ability to pursue conflicting demands simultaneously. Our findings, presented as a conceptual framework, indicate that conflicting demands between alignment and adaptability posed by agile distributed development can be addressed by a set of balanced practices that shape performance management and social context---two important antecedents of contextual ambidexterity.

Suggested Citation

  • Balasubramaniam Ramesh & Kannan Mohan & Lan Cao, 2012. "Ambidexterity in Agile Distributed Development: An Empirical Investigation," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 23(2), pages 323-339, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:23:y:2012:i:2:p:323-339
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.1110.0351
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    4. Shahla Ghobadi & John Campbell & Stewart Clegg, 2017. "Pair programming teams and high-quality knowledge sharing: A comparative study of coopetitive reward structures," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 397-409, April.
    5. Alexander Benlian, 2022. "Sprint Zeal or Sprint Fatigue? The Benefits and Burdens of Agile ISD Practices Use for Developer Well-Being," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 33(2), pages 557-578, June.
    6. Markus Hummel & Christoph Rosenkranz & Roland Holten, 2013. "The Role of Communication in Agile Systems Development," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 5(5), pages 343-355, October.
    7. Ashay Saxena & Shankar Venkatagiri & Rajendra K. Bandi, 2023. "Conflict management in agile distributed development: evidence from product development and services engagements," Information Technology and Management, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 247-266, September.
    8. Hongjiang Lv & Xinghua Zhao & Man Cao & Jingjing Ding, 2023. "How can managers, acting as brokers, be ambidextrous? The effect of trust brokerage on managers’ ambidexterity," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(3), pages 1008-1034, July.
    9. Robert Wayne Gregory & Mark Keil & Jan Muntermann & Magnus Mähring, 2015. "Paradoxes and the Nature of Ambidexterity in IT Transformation Programs," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 26(1), pages 57-80, March.
    10. YoungKi Park & Paul A. Pavlou & Nilesh Saraf, 2020. "Configurations for Achieving Organizational Ambidexterity with Digitization," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 31(4), pages 1376-1397, December.
    11. Vanita Yadav, 2016. "A Flexible Management Approach for Globally Distributed Software Projects," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 17(1), pages 29-40, March.
    12. Shahla Ghobadi & John Campbell & Stewart Clegg, 0. "Pair programming teams and high-quality knowledge sharing: A comparative study of coopetitive reward structures," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-13.

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