Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Interpersonal Relationships, Leadership and Other Soft Skills in Software Development Projects: A Systematic Review

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Trends and Advances in Information Systems and Technologies (WorldCIST'18 2018)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 746))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

Today, Software Development Projects teams require that the professional profile of their members not only consists of calibration techniques, but also non-technical skills such as Interpersonal Relationships, Leadership and other Soft Skills. A systematic review of the literature (SRL) that addresses the Management of Software Development Projects was performed in order to find out how the management of Software Development projects and Interpersonal Relationships/non-technical skills/the constructs correlate. In our review, we selected twenty-three relevant articles, which were analyzed systematically, and identified significant correlations between the psychological variables and the successful management of Software Development Projects.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Weinberg, G.M.: The Psychology of Computer Programming. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ramesh, G., Ramesh, M.: The Ace of Soft Skills. Attitude, Communication and Etiquette for Success. Dorling Kindersley, New Delhi (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Gallagher, K., Kaiser, K., Simon, J., Beath, C., Goles, T.: The requisite variety of skills for IT professionals. Commun. ACM 53(6), 144–148 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Project Management Institute: PMBOK Guide, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, 5th edn., Pennsylvania (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Kendall, P.A.: Introduction to Systems Analysis and Design: A Structured Approach. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Gerkhardt, M., Frey, D., Fischer, P.: The human factor in change processes: success factors from a socio-psychological point of view. In: Change 2.0, pp. 11–25 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Software Engineering Process Management: Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), 1.3 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Software Engineering Process Management: People Capability Maturity Model (P-CMM), 2.0, 2nd edn. (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Kulpa, M.: Why Should I Use the People CMM, Software Engineering Technology (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Szalvay, L.: Human Resources and Scrum: An Incremental Pathway to a Vibrant Organizational Culture. Scrum Alliance (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Gunbayi, I.: Academic staff’s perceptions on stressors originating from interpersonal relations at work setting: a case study. Procedia Soc. Behav. Sci. 1(1), 50–60 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Mayo, E.: The Human Problems of an Industrial Civilization. Early Sociology of Management and Organizations, vol. 6, Chicago (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Alderfer, C.: An empirical test of a new theory of human needs. Organ. Behav. Hum. Perform. 4(2), 142–175 (1969)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Heider, F.: The Psychology of Interpersonal Relations. Wiley, Martino Fine Books, New York (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Goleman, D.: Emotional Intelligence. Bantam Books, New York (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Goleman, D.: Working whit emotional intelligence. Ed. Zeta, Madrid (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Abanto, Z., Higueras, J., Cueto, J.: ICE-Emotional Quotient Inventory de Bar-On. Technical manual, Lima (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Ojeda, H., Méndez, V., Hernández, S.: Leadership and its relationship with the model of competing values. Telos 18(1), 17–38 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Pinto, J.K., Slevin, D.P.: Project success: definitions and measurement techniques. Project Manag. J. 19(1), 67–73 (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Westerveld, E.: The project excellence model: linking success criteria and critical success factors. Int. J. Project Manag. 21(6), 411–418 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Cooke-Davies, T.: The real success factors on projects. Int. J. Project Manag. 20(3), 185–190 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Elkins, T., Keller, R.T.: Leadership in research and development organizations: a literature review and conceptual framework. Leadersh. Q. 14, 587–606 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Bennis, W., Nanus, B.: Leaders: The Strategies for Taking Charge. Harper and Row, New York (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hersey, P., Blanchard, K.H.: Management of Organizational Behaviour. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  25. House, R.J.: A path-goal theory of leadership effectiveness. Admin. Sci. Q. 16(3), 321–328 (1971)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Bass, B.M.: Handbook of Leadership: Theory, Research and Applications. Free Press, New York (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Keegan, A., Den Hartog, D.N.: Transformational leadership in a project-based environment: a comparative study of the leadership styles of project managers and line managers. Int. J. Project Manag. 22(8), 609–618 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Turner, J.R., Müller, R.: Choosing Appropriate Project Managers: Matching Their Leadership Style to the Type of Project. Project Manage. Inst., Newtown Square, PA (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Dulewicz, V., Higgs, M.: Emotional intelligence: a review and evaluation study. J. Manag. Psychol. 15(4), 341–368 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Fernandez, C.F., Vecchio, R.P.: Situational leadership theory revisited: a test of an across-jobs perspective. Leadersh. Q. 8, 67–84 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Bernard, M.: From transactional to transformational leadership: learning to share the vision. Organ. Dyn. 18(3), 19–31 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Salvatierra, D.J.: Brecha de Habilidades Blandas en Chile: Abriendo el debate educacional, Plural Ideas & Acción, Chile (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Parkash, L.: Soft skills for young professionals. IEEE Eng. Manag. Rev. 43(3), 23–24 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Singer, M., Guzmán, R., Donoso, P.: Entrenando Competencias Blandas en Jóvenes, Chile (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  35. Kamin, M.: Soft Skills Revolution: A Guide for Connecting with Compassion for Trainers, Teams, and Leaders. Pfeiffer, San Francisco (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Heckman, J., Stixrud, J., Urzua, S.: The effects of cognitive and noncognitive abilities on labor market outcomes and social behavior. J. Labor Econ. 24(3), 411–482 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Silva, M.: Habilidades blandas, fundamentales para el desarrollo personal, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de la Educación, Santiago, pp. 22–23 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Kitchenham, B., Charters, S.: Guidelines for performing systematic literature reviews in software engineering, Technical report, Ver. 2.3 EBSE Technical report (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Dybå, T., Dingsøyr, T.: Empirical studies of agile software development: a systematic review. Inf. Softw. Technol. 50(9–10), 833–859 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Bass, B.M., Avolio, B.J.: Full Range of Leadership Development, Manual for the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. Mind Garden Inc. (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Gonzales, F.: Psychological Evaluation Instruments, La Habana (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Heckman, J.: Hard evidence on soft skills. Labour Econ. 19(4), 451–464 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unidad de Posgrado de la Facultad de Ingeniería de Sistemas e Informática, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Av. Amezaga, Cercado de Lima, 15081, Lima, Peru

    Rafael Elizalde & Sussy Bayona

Authors
  1. Rafael Elizalde
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sussy Bayona
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sussy Bayona .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Engenharia Informática, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Álvaro Rocha

  2. College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Hojjat Adeli

  3. DSI/EEUM, Universidade do Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

    Luís Paulo Reis

  4. DIMES, Universita della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy

    Sandra Costanzo

Appendix A - List Studies Includes in SRL

Appendix A - List Studies Includes in SRL

#

Títle

Year

Author

Quality*

A01

Ad-hoc Leadership in Agile Software Development Environments

2010

Dubinsky, Y., & Hazzan, O.

A

A02

Developing soft skills and learning outcomes of business management students in project management

2011

Md Shariff, S., Johan, Z. J., & Jamil N. A.

A

A03

Developing team competence as part of a person centered learning course on communication and soft skills in project management

2007

Motschnig-Pitrik, R., & Figl, K.

A

A04

Effective project leadership in complex self-directed team environments

1999

Thamhain, H. J.

G

A05

Emotional intelligence: a crucial human resource management ability for engineering project managers in the 21st century

2007

Barry, M. L., & Du Plessis, Y.

A

A06

How Does Project Managers’ Personality Matter?: Building the Linkage Between Project Managers’ Personality and the Success of Software Development Projects

2009

Wang, Y., & Li, F.

G

A07

Leadership Behaviors in Information Technology Project Management: An Exploratory Study

2011

Taylor, H., & Woelfer, J. P.

A

A08

Leadership in ITC Project Management in Japan

2015

Miyamoto, M.

G

A09

Leadership of information systems development projects

2006

Faraj, S., & Sambamurthy, V.

A

A10

Leadership Research for Delivery Project Manger Based on Theory of Project Management

2011

Wang, H.

A

A11

Leadership: a critical success factor in IT project management

1999

Thite, M.

A

A12

Mapping job requirements of software engineers to Big Five Personality Traits

2012

Rehmn, M., Mahmood, A., Salleh, R., & Amin A.

A

A13

Moderating Effects of Climate and External Support on Transformational Leadership and Technological Innovation: An Investigation in Creative Ventures in Turkey

2006

Gumusluoglu, L. T., & Ilsev, A.

G

A14

Motivating Open Source Software Developers: Influence of Transformational and Transactional Leaderships

2006

Li, Y., Tan, C., Teo, H., & Mattar, T.

A

A15

Optimising virtual team leadership in Global Software Development

2012

Tuffley, D.

A

A16

Relationships Between Leadership and Success in Different Types of Project Complexities

2012

Müller, R., Geraldi, J., & Turner, J. R.

G

A17

Soft Skills in Software Development Teams: A Survey of the Points of View of Team Leaders and Team Members

2015

Matturro, G., Raschetti, F., & Fontán, C.

A

A18

Soft skills in software engineering: A study of its demand by software companies in Uruguay

2013

Matturro, G.

A

A19

Teaching “soft” skills in Software Engineering

2011

González-Morales, D.; Moreno de Antonio, L.; Roda García, J.

A

A20

The Impact of Leadership on Participation and Trust in Virtual Teams

2012

Kimberly Furumo and Emmeline de Pillis and Mark Buxton

A

A21

The Impact of Teambuilding and Leadership Styles on Successful Project Management

2012

Dhomne, S., & Perkins, S.

A

A22

The impact of transformational and transactional leadership styles on knowledge creation in Sri Lankan software industry

2016

Athukorala, C., Perera, I., & Meedeniya, D.

A

A23

Toward Defining the Role of the Software Architect: An Examination of the Soft Aspects of This Role

2015

Sherman, S., & Hadar, I.

A

  1. *Quality A: Acceptable G: Good.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Elizalde, R., Bayona, S. (2018). Interpersonal Relationships, Leadership and Other Soft Skills in Software Development Projects: A Systematic Review. In: Rocha, Á., Adeli, H., Reis, L., Costanzo, S. (eds) Trends and Advances in Information Systems and Technologies. WorldCIST'18 2018. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 746. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77712-2_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77712-2_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-77711-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-77712-2

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation