The doctoral dissertation in the field of Computer Science will be examined at the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, Joensuu campus and online.
What is the topic of your doctoral research? Why is it important to study the topic?
This research explores the state of software quality assurance within Namibia’s software startup ecosystem, identifying key practices, challenges, and the role of targeted training interventions in improving software quality. This research is important as startups in Namibia and similar resource-constrained ecosystems often prioritize speed over quality, leading to unreliable software. By embedding a “quality-first” mindset through training, startups can deliver more reliable, user-centered products, strengthen customer trust, attract investment, and contribute to sustainable digital transformation.
What are the key findings or observations of your doctoral research?
The findings show that training intervention is an effective entry point for introducing quality principles to all actors in the software startup ecosystem, as the structured training led to measurable improvements in participants’ awareness of software quality assurance (SQA). While awareness improved quickly through training, changing attitudes and embedding quality into startup culture will require sustained efforts over time.
The research also revealed that poor software quality is not only a technical issue but also an organizational and cultural challenge, shaped by resource constraints, prioritization of speed, and limited quality assurance expertise. This study lays the foundation for efforts to improve software quality, refine training programs, explore long-term behavioural changes, and integrate SQA more deeply into Namibia’s growing technology ecosystem and similar settings. As the country moves toward digital transformation and economic diversification, building quality-focused software startups is essential, and training is a key part of getting there. What makes this research valuable is its ecosystem‑wide perspective since instead of focusing only on developers, it engaged all startup ecosystem actors, emphasizing that quality is a shared responsibility.
How can the results of your doctoral research be utilised in practice?
The results can be applied by startups, incubators, and policymakers to strengthen software quality in resource‑constrained environments. The training program designed from this research can be integrated into accelerator curricula, university courses, and professional workshops, ensuring that they all share the responsibility for quality. Startups can adopt the training modules to quickly raise awareness, improve attitude, and build skills, while ecosystem actors can use them to embed a “quality‑first” culture across teams. For the broader community, the results provide a scalable, low‑cost model that can be replicated in other developing ecosystems.
What are the key research methods and materials used in your doctoral research?
This research followed the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, which provided a structured exploration of the problem and guided the development, implementation, and evaluation of a training program tailored to the requirements of Namibia’s software startup ecosystem. The process began with an analysis of the ecosystem to understand current practices and challenges.
Next, the technical, organizational, and cultural factors contributing to poor software quality were identified. Based on these insights, a structured training intervention was developed to strengthen awareness, attitudes, and skills in software quality assurance. The intervention was subsequently implemented and evaluated with participants in Windhoek, Namibia.
The doctoral dissertation of Hilma Aludhilu, MSc, entitled Enhancing software quality assurance in a startup ecosystem through training: A design science approach will be examined at the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, Joensuu campus and online. The opponent will be Professor Mauro Pezzè, University of Lugano, and the custos will be University Lecturer, Docent Ilkka Jormanainen, University of Eastern Finland. Language of the public defence is English.
For further information, please contact:
Hilma Aludhilu, [email protected]
