Structural factors that affect global software development learning team performance

Abstract

A team performance model provided an organizing framework for studying multi-cultural distributed learning teams. Structural equation modeling was used to test for relationships among individual, cultural and attitudes about collaborative work factors and team performance. The paper describes this model and its theoretical basis and reports on results from two pilot projects involving 152 students from the US, Panama, UK, and Turkey. While the model shows satisfactory fit, the results suggest that other factors may also influence how well students work together on global software projects. Future research, followed by model development, should incorporate these factors to capture the complexity of the educational and training environments.