My research advances strategies for harnessing cognitive diversity, fostering creativity and shaping innovative software teams. My research delves into cognitive conflict’s role in spurring novelty in software engineering, revealing how diverse perspectives catalyze breakthroughs in both corporate Agile and open-source environments.

Topics central to my research include creativity, cognitive dissonance, cognitive conflict, digital innovation, and software development digital artifacts.

I am a Doctor of Management Design & Innovation Fellow at Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and a PhD Canididate preparing for defense February 28, 2025.

Research Methodology

I am trained in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research designs. My qualitative research employs a constructivist grounded theory approach as outlined by Strauss and Corbin, capturing the lived experiences of software developers and emphasizing their real-life context, a concept highlighted by Charmaz. My quantitative research adopts a methodological approach using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM), following the framework established by Anderson and Gerbing, to establish the presence and directionality of effects in my research models. Additionally, I incorporate mixed methods designs to integrate the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative approaches, as advocated by Tashakkori and Teddlie.

Given the complexity of my research, my methods are informed by my own experience. The size of software artifact data, such as commits and developer conversations, I continue to develop bespoke software tools to analyze large datasets, providing insights that are otherwise inaccessible to researchers. You can take the engineer away from their code editor, but I tend to find my way back as needed. Similarly, the need to gain insight from developers where they are and hear their stories is key, relying on interview and consulting skills I’ve honed through decades as a practioner.

Philosophical Approach

Method alone does not account for discovery, as Kuhn would suggest. My use of methods serves the broader goal of uncovering the lived experiences of software developers and identifying anomalies, whether through in-depth interviews or big data analysis. This approach helps me pinpoint where creativity and real innovation may be hiding in the field of software development, filling gaps in our understanding and potentially leading to new paradigms that move us beyond the current stasis of software development labor arbitrage.

I didn’t say it was simple. But damn if it isn’t fun and engaging.

Upcoming Papers and Procedings

While I complete my dissertation, I have been disseminating my research in both academic peer-reviewed contexts as a well as practiioner conferences such as:

Ribeiro, J., Lyytinen, K., s Agile Software Development Innovative? A Software Developer Perspective. Paper presented at the International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS) - December 2024 Download Paper

Ribeiro, J., Lyytinen, K., Beyond The Merge Conflict: The Effects Of Cognitive Conflict On Developer Creativity And Release Innovation In Open-Source Software Projects. Paper presented at the Academy of Management Doctoral Consortium, Management Consulting Division - August 2024

Ribeiro, J., Lyytinen, K., Cola, P., The Effect Of Leadership On Discussions Of Innovations Developer Within Agile Software Development Teams Paper presented at the International Conference on Engaged Management Scholarship, Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara, Mexico - January 2022