Title: Structural relationships among software engineering capabilities in Japan

Authors: Yasuo Kadono; Hiroe Tsubaki; Seishiro Tsuruho

Addresses: Tokyo University of Technology, 1404-1 Katakura-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0982, Japan. ' Institute of Statistical Mathematics, 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8562, Japan. ' HAL College of Technology & Design, 1-7-3 Nishishinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan

Abstract: This study aims at better understanding how software engineering capabilities should be improved in the drastically changing IT industry in Japan. Based on the results of path analyses on the three surveys data from 151 IT firms, human development and R&D are significantly fundamental capabilities to improve the quality of deliverables. Also, improving capabilities of project management and process improvement are significantly an immediate effect on deliverables. On the contrary, quality assurance and customer contacts might need long-term efforts to be successful. The results suggest that order effects among the software engineering capabilities are verified based on the data-centric approach.

Keywords: software engineering capabilities; social research; statistical analysis; Japan; structural relationships; ICT industry; information technology; communications technology; path analyses; human resource development; HRD; R&D; research and development; fundamental capabilities; deliverables; project management; process improvement; quality assurance; customer contacts; long-term efforts; order effects; data-centric approaches; innovation; learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2012.048355

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2012 Vol.12 No.2, pp.217 - 227

Published online: 28 Aug 2014 *

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