Agile Around the World - How Agile Values Are Interpreted in National Cultures?

Abstract

Agile and global teamwork are currently both popular themes in software development and related research. While the agile paradigm has reported to increase the probability of success compared to traditional methods, global software development teams still face occasional problems with the agile culture adoption. This is partly because of conflicting values between agile values and certain aspects in national cultures. This MSc thesis focuses on analysing and understanding the relationships between agile and national culture values. Although there is world-wide research carried out on organisational and national culture, there has not been much research done focusing on this relationship from agile perspective. The research method followed in this study was qualitative in nature and more specifically it was a theorydependent approach. In this research and study process, Hofstede's cultural dimensions on nations and countries were used as a basis to form a theoretical framework, within which agile values and principles were compared and contrasted. The data gathering was done through interviews, which were analysed and grouped into categories representing key characteristics in agile culture and philosophy. Based on the first interview results with crosscultural expert, indication of the relationship between agile and national cultures could be seen. This relationship was studied in depth in interviews with team members from case projects. In addition, this research study provides some practical guidance on how agile software development principles should be adapted to fit better for example in case of high power distance cultures. This understanding is important for all software professionals working in projects with people from other countries as well for managers who need to understand consequences on their decisions when selecting where to do development.