Developing methods for the identification of competences needed for software production and utilization in industry

Software plays an increasingly relevant role in modern life. Particularly, software enables most features of innovative goods and services. However, the way in which software production should be organized is still open to discussion. Although software development has been extensively researched by software engineering theorists and practitioners, there is an increasing concern that the linkages between software suppliers and software users should be clarified, bringing new research possibilities for the Technology Management discipline. The purpose of this paper is the presentation of a new framework for an improved understanding of the existing relationships between software users and suppliers. Software users were characterized by using insights originated from a research in the Telecommunication industry. To characterize software suppliers, two distinct surveys were realized. Finally, to clarify the different relationships that exist between software users and suppliers, we analyzed which competences are required from the supplier company in order to understand the specific needs of each group of user companies and to develop and deliver the most appropriate software system.