A Model of Cross-Functional Coopetition in Software Development Project Teams

Building high-performing software development teams increases the likelihood that firms can meet the expectations of software development projects. Due to the cross-functional nature of the majority of software development projects, the required knowledge for project completion is distributed among stakeholders from different functional units. This implies the importance of efficient interaction and knowledge sharing among different parties involved in the project. To investigate the mechanisms behind effective knowledge sharing among members of this kind of software development projects, the current study combines the game theoretical model of knowledge sharing and the social interdependence theory as a foundation for developing a conceptual model for this study. The integration of these theories as a conceptual basis will help in identifying the constructs that represent effective knowledge sharing. A preliminary model for the constructs' measures is developed through a number of steps. This study proposes a two-step research design process. The results of the first phase are briefly discussed and a number of major issues in the second phase are also explained.