Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Software for People pp 39–52Cite as

Software Usability in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Germany: An Empirical Study

Part of the Management for Professionals book series (MANAGPROF)

Abstract

Usability has become a competitive factor in the software industry. Specifically, the software industry in the United States has recognized this important factor and successfully leverages it for achieving competitive advantage. Compared to this fast development in the US, it seems questionable whether this view is also widespread among small and medium sized software producing and client companies in Germany and whether they direct sufficient attention to usability. This article presents the results of an empirical study exploring the status quo of the importance, the knowledge and the actual use of usability concepts among small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany. Following an organizational field perspective, we investigate how interactions between actors in the software field influence the usability awareness as well as the knowledge and actual use of usability concepts. Based on the results of our study, we provide recommendations on how to increase awareness and maturity of software usability in SMEs in Germany.

Keywords

  • Small And Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
  • Medium-sized Software Company
  • Current Software Development Practices
  • Client Software
  • Sales Development

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   19.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Backhaus, K., Plinke, W., Erichson, B., & Weiber, R. (2008). Multivariate Analysemethoden (12 Ausg.). Berlin/Heidelberg: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bär, N., & Reich, D. (2011). Was Firmen wollen: eine Umfrage zu Usability Dienstleistungen für klein- und mittelständische Unternehmen. S. 250ff.: Jahresband Usability Professionals.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burns, L. R., & Wholey, D. R. (1993). Adaption and abandonment of matrix management programs: Effects of organizational characteristics and interorganizational networks. Academy of Management Journal, 36(1), 105–138.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (2008). Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory (Vol. 3). Thousand Oaks/London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Czarniawska, B., & Joerges, B. (1996). Travel of ideas. In B. Czarniawska & G. Sévon (Eds.), Translating organizational change (pp. 13–48). Berlin: deGruyter.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • David, R. J., & Strang, D. (2006). When fashion is fleeting: Transitory collective beliefs and the dynamics of TQM consulting. Academy of Management Journal, 49(2), 215–233.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • DiMaggio, P. J., & Powell, W. W. (1983). The iron cage revisited: Institutional isomorphism and collective rationality in organizational fields. American Sociological Review, 48(2), 147–160.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Guler, I., Guillén, M. F., & Macpherson, J. M. (2002). Global competition, institutions, and the diffusion of organizational practices: The International Spread of ISO 9000 Quality Certificates. Administrative Science Quarterly, 47, 207–232.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Haveman, H. A. (1993). Follow the leader: Mimetic isomorphism and entry into new markets. Administrative Science Quarterly, 38, 593–627.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch, P. (1972). Processing fads and fashions: An organization-set analysis of cultural industy systems. American Journal of Sociology, 77(4), 639–659.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Homburg, C., & Krohmer, H. (2005). Marketing management. Wiesbaden: Gabler.

    Google Scholar 

  • Human Factors International (2011). Certification. Abgerufen am 14. Februar 2011 von http://www.humanfactors.com/certification/default.asp

  • Kieser, A., & Ernst, B. (2002). In search of explanations for the consulting explosion. In K. Sahlin-Andresson & L. Engwall (Eds.), The expansion of management knowledge: Carriers, flows, and sources (pp. 47–73). Stanford: Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markowski, N., Grosser, K., & Kuhl, R. (2008). Analyse von Barrieren und Hemmnissen beim Wissenstransfer zwischen Hochschulen und KMU. Düsseldorf: Forschungsberichte des Fachbereichs Wirtschaft der Fachhochschule Düsseldorf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, D. A., Jennings, P. D., & Zhou, X. (1993). Late adoption of the multidivisional form by large U.S. corporations: Institutional, political, and economic accounts. Administrative Science Quarterly, 38, 100–131.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Powell, W. W., Koput, K. W., & Smith-Doerr, L. (1996). Interorganizational collaboration and the locus of innovation: Networks of learning in biotechnology. Administrative Science Quarterly, 46, 116–145.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stratman, J. K., & Roth, A. V. (2007). Enterprise resource planning (ERP) competence constructs: Two-stage multi-item scale development and validation. Decision Sciences, 33(4), 601–628.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Swan, J. A., & Newell, S. (1995). The role of professional associations in technology diffusion. Organization Studies, 16(5), 847–874.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Usability in Germany (2011). Abschlussbericht zum Projekt “Gebrauchstauglichkeit von Anwendungssoftware als Wettbewerbsfaktor für KMU”. www.usability-in-germany.de: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie.

  • Valente, T. (1993). Diffusion of innovations and policy decision-making. Journal of Communication, 43(1), 30–45. Winter.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatesh, V., Morris, M., Davis, G., & Davis, F. (2003). User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425–478.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yli-Renko, H., Autio, E., & Sapienza, H. J. (2001). Social capital, knowledge acquisition, and knowledge exploitation in young technology-based firms. Strategic Management Journal, 22(6–7), 587–613.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of SMEs and Entrepreneurship, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany

    Florian Scheiber, Dominika Wruk, Achim Oberg & Michael Woywode

  2. CAS Software AG, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Johannes Britsch

  3. Chair of Information Systems IV, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany

    Alexander Maedche, Felix Kahrau & Hendrik Meth

  4. University of Applied Sciences, Kaiserslautern, Germany

    Dieter Wallach

  5. ERGOSIGN GmbH, Saarbrücken, Germany

    Marcus Plach

Authors
  1. Florian Scheiber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dominika Wruk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Achim Oberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Johannes Britsch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Michael Woywode
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Alexander Maedche
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Felix Kahrau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Hendrik Meth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Dieter Wallach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Marcus Plach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Florian Scheiber .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Chair of Information Systems IV, University of Mannheim, L 15 1-6, Mannheim, 68131, Germany

    Alexander Maedche

  2. , Chair of Information Systems IV, University of Mannheim, L 15 1-6, Mannheim, 68131, Germany

    Achim Botzenhardt

  3. CAS Software AG, Wilhelm-Schickard-Str. 12, Karlsruhe, 76131, Germany

    Ludwig Neer

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Scheiber, F. et al. (2012). Software Usability in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Germany: An Empirical Study. In: Maedche, A., Botzenhardt, A., Neer, L. (eds) Software for People. Management for Professionals. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31371-4_3

Download citation

search

Navigation