A teoria da prática e o desenvolvimento de inovações em software

Abstract

This paper presents an explanatory model for the formation and outcomes of practices throughout the software innovation process. The model was developed from the confluence among practice theory, influencing factors in software development and essential characteristics of innovation environments. In order to obtain empirical evidence that supporting the model, narratives provided by agents involved in innovation processes were collected. The results allowed to lift a set of practices to support innovation process. By applying the model to the analysis of narratives collected, it was found that: (i) the practices become apparent from different approaches along the innovation process; (ii) the manifestation and variation of the practice is function of the interpretive frameworks that the agents build based on the social environment and material; and (iii) while executed within frames formed by interpretative agents, these practices generate perceived effects as positive or negative influencing the future formation of interpretive frameworks for other practices. These results provide more accurate explanations on how different factors of influence intertwine to form interpretative frameworks and, thereby, mold the practices involved in the innovations development in software. Additionally, while considering practice theory, this work contributes to understanding in the context of innovation, mutual influences among the micro level and the macro level of action of the environmental and organizational structures.