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Analysis of institutional authors

Rodríguez PAuthorGarbajosa JAuthor

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Proceedings Paper

Building lean thinking in a telecom software development organization: Strengths and challenges

Publicated to:Acm International Conference Proceeding Series. 98-107 - 2013-06-06 (), DOI: 10.1145/2486046.2486064

Authors: Rodríguez P; Mikkonen K; Kuvaja P; Oivo M; Garbajosa J

Affiliations

Ericsson R and D Center Finland - Author
Oulun Yliopisto - Author
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid - Author

Abstract

The potential shown by Lean in different domains has aroused interest in the software industry. However, it remains unclear how Lean can be effectively applied in a domain such as software development that is fundamentally different from manufacturing. This paper explores how Lean principles are implemented in software development companies and the challenges that arise when applying Lean Software Development. For that, a case study was conducted at Ericsson R&D Finland, which successfully adopted Scrum in 2009 and subsequently started a comprehensible transition to Lean in 2010. Focus groups were conducted with company representatives to help devise a questionnaire supporting the creation of a Lean mindset in the company (Team Amplifier). Afterwards, the questionnaire was used in 16 teams based in Finland, Hungary and China to evaluate the status of their transformation. By using Lean thinking, Ericsson R&D Finland has made important improvements to the quality of its products, customer satisfaction and transparency within the organization. The study makes two main contributions to research. First, the main factors that have enabled Ericsson R&D's achievements are analysed. Elements such as 'network of product owners', 'continuous integration', 'work in progress limits' and 'communities of practice' have been identified as being of fundamental importance. Second, three categories of challenges in using Lean Software Development were identified: 'achieving flow', 'transparency' and 'creating a learning culture'. Copyright 2013 ACM.

Keywords

Agile software developmentLe-agileLean software developmentMethod adoptionProcess improvementProcess introduction

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 4.3, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jun 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-06-24, the following number of citations:

  • Scopus: 18
  • OpenCitations: 13

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-24:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 137 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Finland.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (RODRIGUEZ GONZALEZ, MARIA PILAR) and Last Author (GARBAJOSA SOPEÑA, JUAN).