The need to scrutinise latecomer software development activities and investigate technological capabilities

Software development activities have been identified as a ‘window of opportunity’ for latecomer companies. Based on a critical literature review, this paper argues that studies are yet to scrutinise the exact nature and extent of the capabilities, which the latecomer companies have been able to develop. The main proposition advanced by this research is that the analyses need to investigate the technological capabilities, which the latecomer companies have been able to accumulate. This study outlines the specifics in analysing technological capabilities in latecomer software companies and improves our understanding about the complexity in developing software industries in latecomer context.