Transformational Leadershipin Software Projects

• Main Author: MOUSAVIKHAH, MARYAM
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: KTH, Organisation och ledning 2013
• Subjects: Transformational leadership; nearby transformational leadership; engaging
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-140881

Lack of management in software projects is among the most important reasons for the failure of this kind of projects. Considering this fact, in addition to high rate of IS (Information System) projects’ failure, and the lack of leadership studies in IS field, it is necessary to pay more attention to the concept of leadership in software projects. Transformational leadership as one of the most popular leadership theories, although might bring specific advantages for this kind of projects, has not been outlined in this field of study. Therefore this study has tried to understand the meaning of transformational leadership in software projects and outline corresponding ideal pattern of this concept. Taking into account unique potentials qualitative research has in relation to research questions, Myers model of research design is selected to found whole study on. This model is especially designed to be used in business and management researches. Myers research model has five blocks. First block is related to philosophical assumption which for our study is interpretive. Second block is related to research method which is case study inspired by grounded theory, in our study. Data collection technique, the third block, is semi-structured interview. The fourth block which concerns data analysis approach is grounded theory encompassing analytic induction for our study. Finally the fifth block, written record, took the form of thesis report in current research study. This study has found required characteristics and behaviors of software project managers and drawn the lines of relationship between those attributes and transformational leadership. Comparing materialization of transformational leadership in software projects with the theory, led to finding of nearby transformational leadership or engaging leadership model as the ideal pattern of such concept in software projects. Finally shortages of that model in relation to software domain are investigated and consequent suggestions are provided.