The Multiplex Nature of the Customer Representative Role in Agile Information Systems Development

In stock
SKU
44.3.13
Links
$15.00
Abstract
It is well acknowledged that close collaboration with the customer serves as the lynchpin to ensuring that agile information systems development (ISD) teams produce the right software within mutually agreed targets. In several agile ISD methods, this emphasis on close collaboration is enacted through the role of a designated customer representative (CR). The agile ISD literature has recognized the behaviors in this role to be inherently complementary and contradicting in nature, presenting a challenge to whoever occupies the role and hampering their ability to add value to the project. How do CRs manage these challenges and why do they do so in a particular manner? Unfortunately, there has been little theory to answer these questions. In this research, we explore and theorize about this phenomenon by leveraging role multiplexity as a theoretical lens in making sense of the behavior of CRs in agile ISD. Results suggest that the CR role is multiplex, exhibiting multiple manifestations with different orientations. We develop a theoretical model that articulates the instantiation of these role manifestations and the mechanisms that enable the CR role to remain intact while managing these challenges. The theoretical model highlights the CR role in agile ISD as being dynamic and multi-oriented. Published Online July 21, 2020
Additional Details
Author Likoebe M. Maruping and Sabine Matook
Year 2020
Volume 44
Issue 3
Keywords Agile ISD, software development, customer representative, customer participation, role theory, multiplexity, elasticity, case study, qualitative research
Page Numbers 1411-1437; DOI: 10.25300/MISQ/2020/12284
Copyright © 2023 MISQ. All rights reserved.