Usability Readiness of German Software SMEs – Three Segments and their Characteristics

Karl Werder, Phillip Haake, Alexander Maedche

Research output: Conference Article in Proceeding or Book/Report chapterArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

Abstract

German small-and-medium sized software companies are facing an increasing pressure by their users with regards to usability expectations. While some software companies still heavily emphasize functional aspects of their products, others have identified the potential of usability to differentiate themselves. The study has an exploratory nature and employs cluster analysis to investigate responses of German SME software companies with a specific focus on usability. We identify three segments of companies, i.e. Usability Sleeper, Usability Executers and Usability Performers. While the first perform worst, the Usability Executers show high usability readiness with regard to software development (SD) processes. Usability Performers further separate themselves through higher employees’ expertise. Subsequent analysis of these sub-segments reveals that business sector and management support are key differentiators amongst them. For practitioners the results presented in this paper describe the characteristics of SME software companies in Germany with mature usability
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMensch und Computer 2014 - Tagungsband
PublisherOLDENBOURG WISSENSCHAFTSVERLAG
Publication date1 Aug 2014
Pages185–194
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2014
Externally publishedYes

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