Table 1 Dimensions of Smite et al.’s taxonomy
Dimension | Categories | Description |
|---|---|---|
GSE | Sourcing | This dimension contains the root of the taxonomy, called sourcing. In this context, sourcing means some form of external software development. |
Location | Onshore, Offshore | A sourcing can be delegated to a site in the same country, i.e. onshore, or to a site in another country, i.e. offshore. |
Legal entity | Insourcing, Outsourcing | Independently from the location, a sourcing can be transfered to a different branch (site) of the company, i.e. insourcing, or subcontracted to a different legal entity (company), i.e. outsourcing. |
Geographical distance | Close, Distant, Near, Far | In onshore projects, the geographical distance is considered: close when it is possible to have relatively frequent face-to-face meetings, since no flights are required to go from one site to the other; distant when at least one flight is required to have face-to-face meetings, which yields time and cost increases. In offshore projects, the geographical distance is considered: near when the required flying time is less than two hours; far when the flying time is longer than two hours and staying overnight is usually required |
Temporal distance | Similar, Different, Small, Large | In onshore projects, the temporal distance is considered: similar when there is a time difference of one hour or less; different when the time difference between two sites is longer than one hour. In offshore projects, the temporal distance is considered: small when there is a time distance between sites of four hours or less; large when there is a time distance between two sites of more than four hours |