Bridging knowledge distribution - The role of knowledge brokers in distributed software development teams

Software development requires the handling of complex and context specific knowledge to be successful. Hence, efficient knowledge management (KM) counts amongst the most important challenges for any software project, but especially for small enterprises working with distributed teams. One important topic for KM in distributed teams is the role of ldquobridgesrdquo enacted by people who become boundary spanners and facilitate the exchange of knowledge between the sites. In our paper we present empirical findings related to such bridges in the context of two small companies with offshore sites. In doing so, we concentrate on the particular roles these knowledge brokers play in the distributed development practices. We show how small software companies rely on the commitment of particular team members and informal knowledge management practices. The paper concludes with a number of open questions to be addressed by future studies.