When Domains Collide: An Activity Theory Exploration of Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

TL;DR

This paper investigates the dynamics and frictions in cross-disciplinary software development teams using Activity Theory, based on empirical data from interviews and surveys, revealing expectations and conflicts between domain experts and software developers.

Contribution

It applies Activity Theory to empirically analyze cross-disciplinary collaboration in software development, identifying expectations and conflicts that influence team dynamics.

Findings

Identified 8 expectations of SDEs and 6 of DEs.

Mapped 21 frictions in cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Provided a theoretical framework for understanding collaboration dynamics.

Abstract

Background: Software development teams are increasingly diverse, embedded, and cross-disciplinary. Domain experts (DEs) from different disciplines collaborate with professional software developers (SDEs), bringing complementary expertise in creating and maintaining complex production software. However, contested expectations, divergent problem-solving perspectives, and conflicting priorities lead to friction. Aims: This study aims to investigate the dynamics of emerging collaboration of cross-disciplinary software development (CDSD) by exploring the expectations held by DEs and SDEs and understanding how these frictions manifest in practice. Method: We utilize Activity Theory (AT), a well-established socio-technical framework, as an analytical lens in a grounded, empirical investigation, conducted through a mixed-method study involving 24 interviews (12 DEs and 12 SDEs) and a large-scale validation survey with 293 participants (161 DEs and 132 SDEs). Results: We conceptualize and empirically ground the CDSD dynamics. We identified eight expectations held by SDEs and six by DEs. By mapping these expectations to AT components, we revealed 21 frictions in CDSD and illustrated where and how they arise. Conclusions: This study offers a theoretical lens for understanding the dynamics and frictions in CDSD and provides actionable insights for future research, practitioners, and infrastructure design.