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Process Improvement and Knowledge Sharing in Small Software Companies: A Case Study

Authors:
Minna Kivihalme
Anne Valsta
Raine Kauppinen

Keywords: process, project, knowledge sharing, education

Abstract:
Process improvement, knowledge sharing and management are challenging issues for small software companies. In this article, the experiences of three small software business organizations, one research and development (R&D) -project team in hotel business using Taimi-tool [16][26] to support process improvement and knowledge sharing were studied and analyzed with grounded theory. The findings of the case study show that systematic process improvement is not very familiar to small software companies. Modeling and writing down processes are considered old-fashioned, too strict and rules given from above. Process improvement does not fit in to the self-image of an innovative, agile and flexible software company. However, for the R&D-project team, Taimi-tool gave good insights for modeling processes and finding the best ways to improve them. This implies that the problems are not with the tool, but rather with the small software business organizational culture towards process improvement and knowledge sharing. There is a clear need for collaboration with research and development in the field of workplace learning and competence development in small business working life and vocationally oriented educational institutions.

Pages: 447 to 452

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2011

Publication date: October 23, 2011

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4235

ISBN: 978-1-61208-165-6

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Dates: from October 23, 2011 to October 29, 2011