Conflict Propagation within Large Technology and Software Engineering Programmes : A Multi-Partner Enterprise System Implementation as Case Study

Williams, Richard (2019) Conflict Propagation within Large Technology and Software Engineering Programmes : A Multi-Partner Enterprise System Implementation as Case Study. IEEE Access, 7 (1). pp. 167696-167713. ISSN 2169-3536

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Abstract

Enterprise system implementations are increasingly outsourced to multiple third-party service providers. These multi-partner technology and software engineering programmes are usually organized through project teams that align to the functional areas of the software. Cognitive, occupational and personal differences between members of project teams increases the potential for conflict, which in extreme cases may propagate throughout the entire social network of the programme. Using social network analysis and thematic coding analysis, within a single case study, new insights are provided into the development of conflict within and between individual project teams of large technology and software programmes, such as those seen within enterprise system implementations. A conceptual framework has been developed that builds on existing literature around conflict in groups, to explore how task, process and relationship conflict can develop in large enterprise system implementations. The conceptual framework illustrates how conflict, once developed, can propagate throughout the social network of the wider programme. Finally, we argue that high-conflict organizations, such as the temporary multi-partner implementation team that forms to deliver large technology and software programmes, have a tendency to contain competing networks, which actively promotes conflict. We conclude by setting the agenda for further research on how we may contain the spread of conflict once it has developed within technology and software engineering programme environments.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Journal or Publication Title:

IEEE Access

Additional Information:

©2019 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or to reuse any copyrighted component of this work in other works must be obtained from the IEEE.

Uncontrolled Keywords:

/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1400/1405

Subjects:

?? conflictconceptual frameworkenterprise systemsoftware engineering projectproject and programme managementmanagement of technology and innovationgeneral engineeringgeneral computer sciencegeneral materials scienceengineering(all)computer science(all)materi ??

Departments:

Lancaster University Management School > Management Science

ID Code:

138982

Deposited By:

ep_importer_pure

Deposited On:

14 Nov 2019 14:55

Refereed?:

Yes

Published?:

Published

Last Modified:

14 Oct 2024 00:17

URI:

https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/138982