Face-to-Face Interface in Software Development: Empirical Evidence from a Geographically Dispersed High-Tech Laboratory

The study investigates the power and potentials of face to face (F-2-F) conversation as a medium of knowledge exchange among software engineers in the context of a high-tech laboratory of a Fortune 100 corporation. This research is based on a qualitative case study design. A number of reasons underlying the preference for F-2-F interaction to transfer knowledge are identified. The analysis also provides evidence that software engineers also face difficulties in using F-2-F conversation as a medium of knowledge exchange. Such findings may be useful to managers and practitioners as the paper proposes an integrated approach where an organization can use both F-2-F and computer-mediated mechanisms simultaneously in a balanced manner.