Explaining the emergence of team agility: a complex adaptive systems perspective. Issue 3 (8th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Werder, Karl; Maedche, Alexander
• Is Part Of: Information technology & people. Volume 31:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 819
• Page End: 844
• Publication Date: 2018-05-08
• Subjects: Software development -- Complex adaptive systems -- Agile methods -- Emergence -- Team agility; Information technology -- Periodicals; Management information systems -- Periodicals; Human-computer interaction -- Periodicals; 004
• DOI: 10.1108/ITP-04-2017-0125
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3845

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Agile software development helps software producing organizations to respond to manifold challenges. While prior research focused on agility as a project or process phenomenon, the authors suggest that agility is an emergent phenomenon on the team level. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach: Using the theory of complex adaptive systems (CASs), the study captures the multiple influencing levels of software development teams (SDTs) and their interplay with self-organization and emergence. The authors investigate three agile SDTs in different contextual environments that participate with four or more different roles each. Findings: The results suggest self-organization as a central process when understanding team agility. While contextual factors often provide restriction on self-organization, they can help the team to enhance its autonomy. Research limitations/implications: The theoretical contributions result from the development and test of theory grounded propositions and the investigation of mature agile development teams. Practical implications: The findings help practitioners to improve the cost-effectiveness ratio of their team's operations. Originality/value: The study provides empirical evidence for the emergence of team agility in agile SDTs. Using the lens of CAS, the study suggests the importance of the team's autonomy.