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Journals / Sakarya University Journal of Computer and Information Sciences / 2026 / Volume: 9 Issue: 3

Software Workforce Dynamics and Organizational Restructuring in Higher Education: A Retrospective Scenario Analysis

Özkan Canay(SAKARYA UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES)0000-0001-7539-6001
Halil Arslan(SIVAS CUMHURIYET UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-3286-5159
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-06-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate that software units experienced severe bottlenecks due to workload imbalance and staff shortages, whereas administrative units exhibited relatively balanced task distribution.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Large-scale software projects in universities often fall short due to excessive workload, insufficient staffing, and low motivation.
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Key Findings & Data:This study examines workforce- and organization-related challenges through a comparative scenario analysis of a restructuring model proposed in 2006 at the IT Department of Sakarya University.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicate that software units experienced severe bottlenecks due to workload imbalance and staff shortages, whereas administrative units exhibited relatively balanced task distribution.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:2006 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Software development · Workforce factors · Organizational restructuring

Abstract

Large-scale software projects in universities often fall short due to excessive workload, insufficient staffing, and low motivation. Locating project-based software teams within the same organizational structure as administrative units leads to structural misalignments and intensifies these problems. This study examines workforce- and organization-related challenges through a comparative scenario analysis of a restructuring model proposed in 2006 at the IT Department of Sakarya University. The retrospective dataset includes evaluations of eight workforce factors provided by 27 staff members from two software development units and three administrative service units, reflecting participants’ perceptions of the scenario at the time and its anticipated impacts. Quantitative data were analyzed using statistical methods, while qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis. The findings indicate that software units experienced severe bottlenecks due to workload imbalance and staff shortages, whereas administrative units exhibited relatively balanced task distribution. According to the proposed scenario, relocating software teams to a project-oriented research center would increase workload acceptability by 43.1\% and staff adequacy by 44.6\% within the remaining administrative structure. The results suggest that this restructuring would substantially alleviate chronic workforce-related problems observed in software units. By interpreting historical data within its original context, this study demonstrates that past organizational projections can inform current debates on organizational transformation in higher education.

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Cite This Article

Canay, Ö., Arslan, H. (2026). Software Workforce Dynamics and Organizational Restructuring in Higher Education: A Retrospective Scenario Analysis. Sakarya University Journal of Computer and Information Sciences, Volume: 9 Issue: 3. https://doi.org/10.35377/saucis...1851026

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