Table 1 RQs and main motivations

RQ1

Which publication channels are the main targets for SPM tools for GSD research?

To identify where relevant research of the topic can be found and targets for the publication of future studies

RQ2

How has the paper publication frequency on the topic of SPM tools for GSD changed over time?

To identify existing publication trends

RQ3

What are the research types of the selected papers?

To identify research types in literature related to GSD tools

RQ4

What are the research approaches of the selected papers?

To identify research approaches and whether validation of SPM tools for GSD has been published in literature

RQ5

What are the SPM tools used in the GSD context? What are their main features?

To support practitioners with information regarding SPM tools intended for GSD

RQ6

Are all SPM activities properly supported by SPM tools for GSD?

To identify which SPM activities researchers are more interested in and what activities require more investigation

RQ7

On which of the 3C dimensions (Communication,coordination and cooperation) the SPM tools used in GSD focus?

To identify to what extent SPM tools for GSD support group interactions according to 3C model