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Utilizing front‐end‐of‐innovation concepts in software development

Lea Hannola (Department of Industrial Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta, Finland)
and
Samuli Kortelainen (Department of Industrial Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta, Finland)
Hannu Kärkkäinen (Department of Business Information Management and Logistics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland)
Markku Tuominen (Department of Industrial Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta, Finland)

Industrial Management & Data Systems

ISSN: 0263-5577

Article publication date: 21 August 2009

990

Abstract

Purpose

The traditional front‐end‐of‐innovation (FEI) research and requirements engineering (RE) in software development have realized the opportunities for overall innovation process improvements by focusing on improving the front‐end activities. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and compare the managerial perceptions on the similarities and differences in the FEI concepts between software industry and the traditional industrial sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach of this paper can be categorized as a case study. Causal cognitive maps are used as graphic tools for collecting and analyzing the perceptions of selected experts about the concepts of FEI, and for recognizing the perceived interrelationships between these concepts.

Findings

The paper presents the similarities and differences in the FEI concepts between the two industries. The most similarly assessed concept is that the quality of a product or software development project can be most often influenced by successful execution of detailed customer needs analysis.

Research limitations/implications

The selection of a purely academic interview group representing the traditional industrial sector has some limitations.

Practical implications

This paper provides viewpoints to managers and project team members on the most important factors in their front‐end activities influencing the success of product or software development projects.

Originality/value

The intersection between FEI and RE and its handling by causal cognitive mapping is a novel territory in academic research. In addition, this paper opens up a new strand for academic discussion by connecting these two domains previously unconnected in literature.

Keywords

Citation

Hannola, L., Kortelainen, S., Kärkkäinen, H. and Tuominen, M. (2009), "Utilizing front‐end‐of‐innovation concepts in software development", Industrial Management & Data Systems, Vol. 109 No. 7, pp. 898-915. https://doi.org/10.1108/02635570910982265

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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