Towards an understanding of requirements management in software ecosystems

Context: Software ecosystems (SECO) have introduced complexity in requirements management due to multiple actors' collaboration through several organizational boundaries. Objective: The main contribution of this article is to improve the understanding of requirements management in SECO. We propose a conceptual model whose concepts, definitions, and relationships are grounded in the literature and the modern software industry's practices. Methods: We applied Design Science to build the conceptual model and conducted a Delphi study with 22 experts to assess it. We performed two rounds and adjusted our model according to the experts' judgment. Results: We reached a conceptual model comprising 43 concepts and their relationships that help to understand requirements management in SECO. Moreover, we provided a glossary with a definition of each concept. This conceptual model can help abstract the complexity of the requirements management in SECO. Conclusions: By organizing concepts and relationships in requirements management in SECO, this conceptual model makes it possible to expand the body of knowledge in the area and serves as a basis for new solutions to support requirements management in SECO.