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A combined fuzzy DEMATEL and fuzzy TOPSIS approach for evaluating GSD project outcome factors

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Abstract

The theoretical basis for studying the phenomenon of Global Software Development (GSD) draws upon one of the key research streams, that is, the Organizational Behavior (OB) research. The focus of this study has led to two research problems: partnership quality and service climate aspects are addressed which have given an insight into the OB research on GSD teams. Moreover, this study classifies results from the partnership quality and service climate aspects into one integrated framework, which covers 18 attributes to explore the GSD outcome factors perceived by GSD teams in OB research phenomenon. To evaluate partnership quality and team service climate aspects with reference to the GSD project outcome, we have integrated the fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory Model (DEMATEL) and the Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach, which is more appropriate to find the significance of criteria. The empirical application of this hybrid approach for evaluating GSD project outcome factors has been tested in Indian software organizations. Consequently, the results of this study provide a vivid picture and facilitate the organization to reveal the importance of OB research on GSD teams.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their deep gratitude toward the industrial experts of Inowits Technologies Private Limited, especially to Balamanikandan (Solution Manager, IT head) and other industrial experts from various companies for their support in data validation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Computing Science and Engineering, VIT University, Vellore, India

    Arun Kumar Sangaiah

  2. Discipline of Information Systems and Technology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

    Prabakar Rontala Subramaniam

  3. Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, USA

    Xinliang Zheng

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  1. Arun Kumar Sangaiah
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  2. Prabakar Rontala Subramaniam
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  3. Xinliang Zheng
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Correspondence to Arun Kumar Sangaiah.

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Sangaiah, A.K., Subramaniam, P.R. & Zheng, X. A combined fuzzy DEMATEL and fuzzy TOPSIS approach for evaluating GSD project outcome factors. Neural Comput & Applic 26, 1025–1040 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00521-014-1771-1

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