Activity theory applied to global software engineering: theoretical foundations and implications for tool builders

Abstract

Although a plethora of tools are available for Global Software Engineering (GSE) teams, it is being realized increasingly that the most prevalent desktop metaphor underpinning the majority of tools have several inherent limitations. We have proposed that Activity-Based Computing (ABC) can be a promising alternative to build tools for GSE. However, significant effort is required to introduce a new paradigm; there is a need of sound theoretical foundation based on activity theory to address challenges faced by tools in GSE. This paper reports our effort aimed at building theoretical foundations for applying activity theory to GSE. We analyze and explain the fundamental concepts of activity theory, and how they can be applied by using examples of software architecture design and evaluation processes. We describe the kind of data model and architectural support required for applying activity theory in building supporting infrastructure for GSE, and describe a proof of concept prototype.