Health, safety, and well‐being through ethical behaviours in computer and information systems development and deployment

Harjinder Rahanu; Elli Georgiadou; Kerstin Siakas; Margaret Ross

doi:10.1002/smr.2225

Health, safety, and well‐being through ethical behaviours in computer and information systems development and deployment

Journal of Software Evolution and Process ◽

10.1002/smr.2225 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Harjinder Rahanu ◽

Elli Georgiadou ◽

Kerstin Siakas ◽

Margaret Ross

Keyword(s):

Information Systems ◽

Well Being ◽

Systems Development ◽

Information Systems Development ◽

Health Safety

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Sprint Zeal or Sprint Fatigue? The Benefits and Burdens of Agile ISD Practices Use for Developer Well-Being

Information Systems Research ◽

10.1287/isre.2021.1069 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alexander Benlian

Keyword(s):

Information Systems ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Well Being ◽

Systems Development ◽

Development Project ◽

Information Systems Development ◽

Mindfulness Practices ◽

Dynamic Trait ◽

Survey Responses ◽

Opposing Effects

Are agile information systems development practices (AISDPs), such as pair programming or daily stand-ups, universally beneficial to developer well-being? Given that agile information systems development project success is only as good as its developers’ productiveness, taking care of developer well-being is of utmost importance to organizations. Using daily survey responses of 131 agile developers spread over two workweeks, we show that the daily use of AISDP is a double-edged sword rather than a silver bullet. Although AISDPs can be motivating and activate energy resources on some days, they can be disturbing and deplete energy on others—two stress responses with opposing effects on developer well-being. As a potential antidote to the detrimental effects of AISDP, we investigate the moderating role of information technology (IT) mindfulness, a dynamic trait that captures the mindful usage of IT. We find that IT mindfulness can serve as a facilitator of positive stress responses and as a buffer against negative stress responses. A key takeaway of this study is in finding ways to influence developers (via awareness programs, time-sensitive recovery interventions, or mindfulness practices) to increase the functional and decrease the dysfunctional stress responses from daily AISDP use.

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Perceptions of control legitimacy in information systems development

Information Technology and People ◽

10.1108/itp-11-2016-0275 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 712-740 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

W. Alec Cram ◽

Martin Wiener

Keyword(s):

Information Systems ◽

Group Identification ◽

Well Being ◽

Systems Development ◽

Information Systems Development ◽

Control Mode ◽

Content Type ◽

Study Results ◽

And Performance ◽

Formal Controls

PurposeExisting studies of information systems development (ISD) control commonly examine controller-centric considerations, such as the antecedents and performance impacts of control mode choices. In contrast, little is known about the controllee-centric factors that may influence the effectiveness of control activities. Drawing on institutional theory, the purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of control legitimacy to the ISD literature – a concept that past organizational research has linked to outcomes such as employee commitment and performance. Specifically, the authors explore how different dimensions of control activities (mode, degree, style) relate to controllee perceptions of control legitimacy in terms of justice, autonomy, group identification, and competence development.Design/methodology/approachInterviews were conducted with 20 practitioners across three companies. A structured data coding approach was employed and analysis was conducted within and across each case study.FindingsThe authors find that the control degree and control style can help explain control legitimacy perceptions better than control modes alone. For example, the results suggest that formal controls enacted in a bilateral style correspond with higher perceptions of justice and autonomy, when compared to formal controls enacted in a unilateral style.Originality/valueThe study results imply that ISD managers should be increasingly mindful of enacting controls in a way that is perceived to be legitimate by subordinates, thereby potentially enhancing both staff well-being and ISD performance.

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