Motivation in Component-Based Software Development

Information systems are designed for the people, by the people. The design of software systems with the help of software systems is another aspect of human-computer interfaces. New methods and their (non-)acceptance play an important role. Motivational factors of systems developers considerably influence the type and quality of the systems they develop (Arbaoui, Lonchamp & Montangero, 1999; Kumar & Bjoern-Andersen, 1990). To some extent, the quality of systems is a result of their developers’ willingness to accept new and (supposedly) better technology (Jones, 1995). A typical example is component-based development methodology (Bachmann et al., 2000; Cheesman & Daniels, 2001). Despite considerable publication effort and public lip service, component-based software development (CBD) appears to be getting a slower start than anticipated and hoped for. One key reason stems from the psychological and motivational attitudes of software developers (Campell, 2001; Lynex & Layzell, 1997). We therefore analyze the attitudes that potentially hamper the adoption of the component-based software development approach. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need (Boeree, 1998; Maslow, 1943) is used for structuring the motives.