Title: The impact of software capability maturity model on knowledge management and organisational learning: empirical findings and useful insights

Authors: Emilio Bellini, Corrado Lo Storto

Addresses: School of Engineering, RCOST, University of Sannio, Via Traiano, Benevento 82100, Italy ' School of Engineering, DIEG, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio no. 80, Napoli 80125, Italy.

Abstract: This paper, using qualitative and quantitative data relative to the software process improvement initiative in which the Italian branch of a multinational software company was engaged from January 1997 to May 2001, investigates the impact of Capability Maturity Model (CMM) certification on organisational learning. A knowledge management perspective is adopted to explain the software development process increase in productivity. Data suggest that CMM can effectively support and address knowledge management and learning within a software organisation. Disciplined methods and practices are expected to result in better control over the software development process, and organisations using a well-structured process model such as the CMM can use the process infrastructure it provides for organisational learning.

Keywords: software process improvement; capability maturity model; CMM; knowledge management; organisational learning; software development; process modelling; Italy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISCM.2006.012045

International Journal of Information Systems and Change Management, 2006 Vol.1 No.4, pp.339 - 373

Published online: 13 Jan 2007 *

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