Communication and Culture in Global Software Development: The Case of Mauritius and South Africa

Abstract

Global Software Development (GSD) is a growing sector in Mauritius and South Africa. With an increasing number of information technology (IT) investors, both countries are being recognised as IT hubs in the Southern African region; hence the need for further research on GSD in those two countries. Furthermore, due to a highly diverse cultural setting prevailing in Mauritius and South Africa, common GSD practices derived from other studies 1night not be fully successful when applied in these contexts. It is thus useful to explore how alternative GSD practices have been put in place to handle these cultural disparities and the resulting communication requirements. The study has been undertaken in an attempt to enlighten investors on the communication and cultural practices that could be fallowed while partaking in GSD in Mauritius and South Af-. nca.