Multiscenario Analyses Between Front and Back End Investment in Software Reliability: An Evolutionary Game Perspective

Abstract

System operation, with the advancement of Internet and big data processing, has posed great requirements on software reliability beyond its functionality. However, the front and back ends in the supply chain of software usually make their own decisions regarding whether to reinforce reliability. Very few research works have investigated the limited rational game between the two parties, especially from a dynamic game perspective. To investigate the decision-making path and the influencing factors of the reliability investment, this article proposed a dynamic evolutionary game in a complex situation. Several scenarios were analyzed to identify the determining factors among diverse relevant elements when the evolutionary stable strategy was achieved. Through theoretical derivation and simulation analysis, the results revealed that the reliability development strategy was closely determined by the software complexity, basic costs, free-riding behavior, risk mitigation, social effects, and, most importantly, profitability. Evidence also showed that the decision-making process was impacted by the interactions and the initial choices between the two parties.