Timing expertise in software development environments

Abstract

In the ICT industry, and particularly in the software sector, knowledge change, the development of expertise and the construction of professionalism are crucial factors for understanding institutional patterns related to professionalisation. This paper draws upon research on professionalisation in the ICT industry conducted in Germany to explore how time regimes regarding innovation, qualification requirements and working time regulations are linked to the structuration of expertise in different organisational settings and correspond to particular and contextual professionalism. Project deadlines play a crucial role in the structuration of expertise as common pattern for IT firms, whereas ongoing education and quality standards integrated into management systems serve to stabilize professionalism in large IT enterprises.