Evaluation Bias and Epistemic Inequality in Global Software Development

2026-07-14

AI Summary

This study addresses capability assessment biases and epistemic injustice stemming from geographical inequities in global software development. Employing a mixed-methods approach that integrates programming tasks, system design exercises, code reviews, and semi-structured interviews, it provides the first empirical evidence of systematically underestimated performance among high-achieving East African engineers by their Northwestern European counterparts. The research reveals a significant discrepancy between actual engineering performance and perceived competence, while also identifying complementary patterns of cross-regional collaboration. Building on these findings, the paper proposes a cross-regional engineering practice framework designed to foster epistemic fairness, offering both theoretical insights and practical guidance for mitigating structural biases and enhancing collaboration in globally distributed teams.

Abstract

This paper examines fairness and accountability in global software development by focusing on how competence is assessed and valued across unequal regional contexts. We compare software engineers from East Africa (Rwanda and Uganda) and Northwestern Europe (Sweden and the Netherlands), regions that are increasingly connected but embedded in asymmetric technological, economic, and institutional structures. Despite the rapid growth of African technology ecosystems, empirical evidence on everyday engineering practice and evaluation in these contexts remains limited. We present findings from an on-site mixed-methods study with 48 software engineers across four countries. The study combines programming, system design, and code review tasks with semi-structured interviews. Our results reveal consistent gaps between measured performance and perceived competence. Senior engineers in Rwanda often performed at a level comparable to that of their European peers, yet European participants systematically underestimated the competence of East African engineers. We also observed differences in communication styles and organizational practices across regions, reflecting distinct but complementary ways of working.

Problem

• Evaluation Bias
• Epistemic Inequality
• Global Software Development
• Competence Assessment
• Regional Disparities

Innovation

• evaluation bias
• epistemic inequality
• global software development
• mixed-methods study
• competence assessment