Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2010
Abstract
Information System Development (ISD) relies on cross-functional teams with distinct cultures and non-overlapping knowledge. Developing a shared understanding of the business needs and associated IS solutions by drawing upon these disparate knowledge sets is critical for project success. We extend theorizing regarding the mechanisms and effects of boundary on ISD success by exploring the relationships between acculturation, competence, and boundary spanning roles. We utilize survey data derived from 139 ISD projects in a global US automotive OEM, completed between 2006 and 2009. We show that the presence of boundary spanning roles, acculturative processes, and cross-domain knowledge and experience acquisition are significant factors positively affecting IS development success. We also demonstrate that facilitative boundary spanning roles- ambassador, coordinator, and scout- moderate the relationship between accumulated IS business domain knowledge and ISD success and that IS business competence is determined by acculturation among IS teams, and the technical competence of the IS team. This suggests that IS teams with low levels of business domain knowledge may be able to mitigate this deficit by exhibiting boundary spanning behaviors to enhance the flow of information across the knowledge boundaries.
Keywords
project management, acculturation, boundary spanning roles, competence, confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, information system development, project success, quantitative, structural equation modeling
Rights
© The Author(s). Kelvin Smith Library provides access for non-commercial, personal, or research use only. All other use, including but not limited to commercial or scholarly reproductions, redistribution, publication or transmission, whether by electronic means or otherwise, without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.
Department/Center
Design & Innovation
Recommended Citation
Fisk, Alan G.D., "The Mechanisms and Effects of Boundary Spanning for Enterprise-Class System Development Project Success" (2010). Student Scholarship. 462.
https://commons.case.edu/studentworks/462