Skip to main content

2014 | OriginalPaper | Buchkapitel

10. Motivating Software Engineers Working in Virtual Teams Across the Globe

verfasst von : Sarah Beecham

Erschienen in: Software Project Management in a Changing World

Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Aktivieren Sie unsere intelligente Suche, um passende Fachinhalte oder Patente zu finden.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

The motivation of software engineers affects the quality of the software they produce. Motivation can be viewed in terms of needs. The key need for a software engineer is to ‘identify with their task’ which requires being given a task that is challenging and understanding the purpose and significance of the task in relation to the complete system being developed. Software engineers’ needs are complex – they also require regular feedback, trust, appreciation, rewards, a career path, and sustainable working hours. Furthermore, amongst other fixed environmental factors, these motivators require sensitive tuning in line with a software engineer’s personality and career stage. Creating this personality-job fit is not easy in a co-located environment, so how can project managers motivate teams of individuals distributed across the globe?
This chapter reflects on some of the motivational issues that managers of virtual teams may encounter. Some background theory is presented for a deeper understanding of how to manage team motivation. Recommendations are drawn from a case study where issues raised by practitioners working in virtual teams serve to highlight and magnify known motivational issues. Project managers play an important part in software engineer motivation. If they can create a working environment that motivates individuals in the team, they will find that team members are more likely to turn up to work, are less likely to look elsewhere for employment, will work harder to meet deadlines, will take more pride in their work, and will share their knowledge, concerns, and ideas for innovation.

Sie haben noch keine Lizenz? Dann Informieren Sie sich jetzt über unsere Produkte:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Fußnoten
1
Effort is just one of the E’s in the calculus; other E’s include energy, excitement, enthusiasm, emotion, expenditure of time, expenditure of money, and expenditure of passion.
 
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Adams JS (1963) Toward an understanding of inequity. J Abnorm Social Psychol 67:422–436CrossRef Adams JS (1963) Toward an understanding of inequity. J Abnorm Social Psychol 67:422–436CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bassett-Jones N, Lloyd GC (2005) Does Herzberg’s motivation theory have staying power? J Manage Develop 24(10):929–943CrossRef Bassett-Jones N, Lloyd GC (2005) Does Herzberg’s motivation theory have staying power? J Manage Develop 24(10):929–943CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Beecham S, Baddoo N, Hall T, Robinson H, Sharp H (2008) Motivation in software engineering: a systematic literature review. Info Softw Technol (IST), Elsevier 50(9–10):860–878CrossRef Beecham S, Baddoo N, Hall T, Robinson H, Sharp H (2008) Motivation in software engineering: a systematic literature review. Info Softw Technol (IST), Elsevier 50(9–10):860–878CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Beecham S, O’Leary P, Baker S, Richardson I, Noll J (2013) Who are we doing global software development research for? In: 8th IEEE international conference on global software engineering (ICGSE’13), Bari, Italy Beecham S, O’Leary P, Baker S, Richardson I, Noll J (2013) Who are we doing global software development research for? In: 8th IEEE international conference on global software engineering (ICGSE’13), Bari, Italy
Zurück zum Zitat Beecham S, Sharp H, Baddoo N, Hall T, Robinson H (2007) Does the XP environment meet the motivational needs of the software developer? An empirical study. Agile 2007 conference. Washington, DC Beecham S, Sharp H, Baddoo N, Hall T, Robinson H (2007) Does the XP environment meet the motivational needs of the software developer? An empirical study. Agile 2007 conference. Washington, DC
Zurück zum Zitat Burn JM, Couger JD, Ma L (1992) Motivating IT professionals. The Hong Kong challenge. Info Manage 22(5):269–280CrossRef Burn JM, Couger JD, Ma L (1992) Motivating IT professionals. The Hong Kong challenge. Info Manage 22(5):269–280CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Carmel E (1999) Global software teams: collaboration across borders and time zones. Prentice Hall, Saddle River, NJ Carmel E (1999) Global software teams: collaboration across borders and time zones. Prentice Hall, Saddle River, NJ
Zurück zum Zitat Couger JD, Zawacki RA (1980) Motivating and managing computer personnel. Wiley, New York Couger JD, Zawacki RA (1980) Motivating and managing computer personnel. Wiley, New York
Zurück zum Zitat Crepeau RG, Crook CW, Goslar MD, McMurtrey ME (1992) Career anchors of information systems personnel. J Manage Info Syst 9(2):145–160 Crepeau RG, Crook CW, Goslar MD, McMurtrey ME (1992) Career anchors of information systems personnel. J Manage Info Syst 9(2):145–160
Zurück zum Zitat da Silva FQ, França ACC (2012) Towards understanding the underlying structure of motivational factors for software engineers to guide the definition of motivational programs. J Syst Softw 85(2):216–226CrossRef da Silva FQ, França ACC (2012) Towards understanding the underlying structure of motivational factors for software engineers to guide the definition of motivational programs. J Syst Softw 85(2):216–226CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Deshpande S, Richardson I, Casey V, Beecham S (2010) Culture in global software development - a weakness or strength? In: IEEE international conferences on global software engineering (ICGSE 2010), Princeton, NJ Deshpande S, Richardson I, Casey V, Beecham S (2010) Culture in global software development - a weakness or strength? In: IEEE international conferences on global software engineering (ICGSE 2010), Princeton, NJ
Zurück zum Zitat Fernández-Sanz L, Misra S (2011) Influence of human factors in software quality and productivity. In: Murgante B, Gervasi O, Iglesias A, Taniar D, Apduhan B (eds) Computational science and its applications - ICCSA 2011, vol 6786. Springer, Berlin, pp 257–269 Fernández-Sanz L, Misra S (2011) Influence of human factors in software quality and productivity. In: Murgante B, Gervasi O, Iglesias A, Taniar D, Apduhan B (eds) Computational science and its applications - ICCSA 2011, vol 6786. Springer, Berlin, pp 257–269
Zurück zum Zitat Ferratt TW, Short LE (1986) Are information systems people different: an investigation of motivational differences. Manage Info Syst (MIS) Q 10(4):377–387CrossRef Ferratt TW, Short LE (1986) Are information systems people different: an investigation of motivational differences. Manage Info Syst (MIS) Q 10(4):377–387CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat França ACC, Carneiro DE, da Silva FQ (2012) Towards an explanatory theory of motivation in software engineering: a qualitative case study of a small software company. 26th IEEE Brazilian Symposium on Software Engineering (SBES) França ACC, Carneiro DE, da Silva FQ (2012) Towards an explanatory theory of motivation in software engineering: a qualitative case study of a small software company. 26th IEEE Brazilian Symposium on Software Engineering (SBES)
Zurück zum Zitat Frey BS, Osterloh M (2002) Successful management by motivation: balancing intrinsic and extrinsic incentives. Springer, BerlinCrossRef Frey BS, Osterloh M (2002) Successful management by motivation: balancing intrinsic and extrinsic incentives. Springer, BerlinCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Garza AI, Lunce SE, Maniam B (2003) Career anchors of Hispanic information systems professionals. Proceedings - annual meeting of the decision sciences institute, pp 1067–1072 Garza AI, Lunce SE, Maniam B (2003) Career anchors of Hispanic information systems professionals. Proceedings - annual meeting of the decision sciences institute, pp 1067–1072
Zurück zum Zitat Hackman JR, Oldman GR (1976) Motivation through the design of work: test of a theory. Academic Press, New York Hackman JR, Oldman GR (1976) Motivation through the design of work: test of a theory. Academic Press, New York
Zurück zum Zitat Hackman RJ, Oldham GR (1974) The job diagnostic survey: an instrument for the diagnosis of jobs and the evaluation of job redesign projects. Office of Naval research manpower administration: NCIS national technical information service, US Department of Commerce Hackman RJ, Oldham GR (1974) The job diagnostic survey: an instrument for the diagnosis of jobs and the evaluation of job redesign projects. Office of Naval research manpower administration: NCIS national technical information service, US Department of Commerce
Zurück zum Zitat Hall T, Beecham S, Baddoo N, Sharp H, Robinson H (2009) A systematic review of theory use in studies investigating the motivations of software engineers. ACM Transac Softw Eng Methodol (TOSEM) 18(3):10 Hall T, Beecham S, Baddoo N, Sharp H, Robinson H (2009) A systematic review of theory use in studies investigating the motivations of software engineers. ACM Transac Softw Eng Methodol (TOSEM) 18(3):10
Zurück zum Zitat Hall T, Beecham S, Verner J, Wilson D (2008a) The impact of staff turnover on software projects: the importance of understanding what makes software practitioners tick (Refilling the pipeline: meeting the renewed demand for information technology workers). In: ACM-SIGMIS CPR’08 Conference, Charlottesville, VA, April 3–5 Hall T, Beecham S, Verner J, Wilson D (2008a) The impact of staff turnover on software projects: the importance of understanding what makes software practitioners tick (Refilling the pipeline: meeting the renewed demand for information technology workers). In: ACM-SIGMIS CPR’08 Conference, Charlottesville, VA, April 3–5
Zurück zum Zitat Hall T, Sharp H, Beecham S, Baddoo N, Robinson H (2008b) What do we know about developer motivation? IEEE Softw 25(4):92–94CrossRef Hall T, Sharp H, Beecham S, Baddoo N, Robinson H (2008b) What do we know about developer motivation? IEEE Softw 25(4):92–94CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Handy C (1993) Understanding organisations, 4th edn. England Penguin Books Ltd, Middlesex Handy C (1993) Understanding organisations, 4th edn. England Penguin Books Ltd, Middlesex
Zurück zum Zitat Herzberg F, Mausner B, Snyderman BB (1959) Motivation to work, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York Herzberg F, Mausner B, Snyderman BB (1959) Motivation to work, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York
Zurück zum Zitat Hillegersberg Jv, Ligtenberg G, Aydin MN (2011) Getting agile methods to work for Cordys global software product development. In: Fifth global sourcing workshop, Courchevel 1850, France Hillegersberg Jv, Ligtenberg G, Aydin MN (2011) Getting agile methods to work for Cordys global software product development. In: Fifth global sourcing workshop, Courchevel 1850, France
Zurück zum Zitat Huczynski AA, Buchanan DA (1991) Organizational behaviour: an introductory text, 2nd edn. Prentice Hall, London Huczynski AA, Buchanan DA (1991) Organizational behaviour: an introductory text, 2nd edn. Prentice Hall, London
Zurück zum Zitat Ituma A (2006) The internal career: an explorative study of the career anchors of information technology workers in Nigeria Proceedings of the 2006 ACM SIGMIS CPR conference on computer personnel research: forty four years of computer personnel research: achievements, challenges & the future. Claremont, CA, pp 205–212 Ituma A (2006) The internal career: an explorative study of the career anchors of information technology workers in Nigeria Proceedings of the 2006 ACM SIGMIS CPR conference on computer personnel research: forty four years of computer personnel research: achievements, challenges & the future. Claremont, CA, pp 205–212
Zurück zum Zitat Jalali S, Wohlin C (2012) Global software engineering and agile practices: a systematic review. J Softw Evol Proces 24(6):643–659CrossRef Jalali S, Wohlin C (2012) Global software engineering and agile practices: a systematic review. J Softw Evol Proces 24(6):643–659CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Johnson RE, Chang C-HD, Yang L-Q (2010) Commitment and motivation at work: the relevance of employee identity and regulatory focus. Acad Manage Rev 35(2):226–245CrossRef Johnson RE, Chang C-HD, Yang L-Q (2010) Commitment and motivation at work: the relevance of employee identity and regulatory focus. Acad Manage Rev 35(2):226–245CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Jordan E, Whiteley AM (1994) HRM practices in information technology management. In: Computer personnel research conference (SIGCPR) on Reinventing IS: managing information technology in changing organizations. ACM Press, Alexandria, VA Jordan E, Whiteley AM (1994) HRM practices in information technology management. In: Computer personnel research conference (SIGCPR) on Reinventing IS: managing information technology in changing organizations. ACM Press, Alexandria, VA
Zurück zum Zitat Kennedy D, Nur M (2012) The rise of taylorism in knowledge management. In: Proceedings of PICMET’12: technology management for emerging technologies (PICMET) Kennedy D, Nur M (2012) The rise of taylorism in knowledge management. In: Proceedings of PICMET’12: technology management for emerging technologies (PICMET)
Zurück zum Zitat Kotlarsky J, Oshri I, von Hillegersberg J (2007) Globally distributed component-based software development: an exploratory study of knowledge management and work division. J Info Technol 22:161–173CrossRef Kotlarsky J, Oshri I, von Hillegersberg J (2007) Globally distributed component-based software development: an exploratory study of knowledge management and work division. J Info Technol 22:161–173CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Krippendorff K (1980) Content analysis an introduction to its methodology. Sage, Beverly Hills, CA Krippendorff K (1980) Content analysis an introduction to its methodology. Sage, Beverly Hills, CA
Zurück zum Zitat Locke EA (1968) Toward a theory of task motivation and incentives. Organ Behav Human Perfor 3:157–189CrossRef Locke EA (1968) Toward a theory of task motivation and incentives. Organ Behav Human Perfor 3:157–189CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Maslow A (1954) Motivation and personality. Harper & Row, New York Maslow A (1954) Motivation and personality. Harper & Row, New York
Zurück zum Zitat McClelland DC (1961) The achieving society. Van Nostrand, Princeton, NJCrossRef McClelland DC (1961) The achieving society. Van Nostrand, Princeton, NJCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat McConnell S (1996) Avoiding classic mistakes [software engineering]. IEEE Softw 13(5):111–112CrossRef McConnell S (1996) Avoiding classic mistakes [software engineering]. IEEE Softw 13(5):111–112CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Monasor MJ, Vizcaíno A, Piattini M, Noll J and Beecham S (2013) Towards a global software development community web: identifying patterns and scenarios. In: PARIS Workshop, International Conference on global software development (ICGSE), Bari, Italy Monasor MJ, Vizcaíno A, Piattini M, Noll J and Beecham S (2013) Towards a global software development community web: identifying patterns and scenarios. In: PARIS Workshop, International Conference on global software development (ICGSE), Bari, Italy
Zurück zum Zitat Mullins LJ (1993) Management and organisational behaviour. Pitman Publishing, London Mullins LJ (1993) Management and organisational behaviour. Pitman Publishing, London
Zurück zum Zitat Noll J, Beecham S, Richardson I (2010) Global software development and collaboration: barriers and solutions. ACM SIGCSE bulletin - special section on global intercultural collaboration (September) Noll J, Beecham S, Richardson I (2010) Global software development and collaboration: barriers and solutions. ACM SIGCSE bulletin - special section on global intercultural collaboration (September)
Zurück zum Zitat Noll J, Beecham S, Seichter D (2011) A qualitative study of open source software development: the OpenEMR project. In: IEEE empirical software engineering and measurement conference – ESEM 2011, Banff, Canada, September, 19–23 Noll J, Beecham S, Seichter D (2011) A qualitative study of open source software development: the OpenEMR project. In: IEEE empirical software engineering and measurement conference – ESEM 2011, Banff, Canada, September, 19–23
Zurück zum Zitat Ocker R, Hiltz SR, Turoff M, Fjermestad J (1995) The effects of distributed group support and process structuring on software requirements development teams: results on creativity and quality. J Manage Info Syst 12(3):127–153 Ocker R, Hiltz SR, Turoff M, Fjermestad J (1995) The effects of distributed group support and process structuring on software requirements development teams: results on creativity and quality. J Manage Info Syst 12(3):127–153
Zurück zum Zitat Olson JS, Olson GM (2004) Culture surprises in remote software development teams. ACM Q, Nova Iorque 1(9):52–59 Olson JS, Olson GM (2004) Culture surprises in remote software development teams. ACM Q, Nova Iorque 1(9):52–59
Zurück zum Zitat Parnas D (1972) On the criteria to be used in decomposing systems into modules. Commun ACM 15(12):1053–1058CrossRef Parnas D (1972) On the criteria to be used in decomposing systems into modules. Commun ACM 15(12):1053–1058CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Peters L (2003) Managing software professionals. IEMC’03 proceedings. managing technologically driven organizations: the human side of innovation and change (IEEE Cat. No.03CH37502). IEEE, Albany, NY, pp 61–66 Peters L (2003) Managing software professionals. IEMC’03 proceedings. managing technologically driven organizations: the human side of innovation and change (IEEE Cat. No.03CH37502). IEEE, Albany, NY, pp 61–66
Zurück zum Zitat Petri HL, Govern JM (2012) Motivation: theory, research, and application, 6th edn. Wadsworth Publishing, Belmont, CA Petri HL, Govern JM (2012) Motivation: theory, research, and application, 6th edn. Wadsworth Publishing, Belmont, CA
Zurück zum Zitat Richardson I, Casey V, McCaffery F, Burton J, Beecham S (2012) A process framework for global software engineering teams. Info Softw Technol 54(11):1175–1191CrossRef Richardson I, Casey V, McCaffery F, Burton J, Beecham S (2012) A process framework for global software engineering teams. Info Softw Technol 54(11):1175–1191CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Riehle D (2007) The economic motivation of open source: stakeholder perspectives. IEEE Comput 40(4):25–32CrossRef Riehle D (2007) The economic motivation of open source: stakeholder perspectives. IEEE Comput 40(4):25–32CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Roberts J, Hann I, Slaughter S (2004) Understanding the motivations, participation and performance of open source software developers: a longitudinal study of the Apache projects. Carnegie Mellon University Working Paper Roberts J, Hann I, Slaughter S (2004) Understanding the motivations, participation and performance of open source software developers: a longitudinal study of the Apache projects. Carnegie Mellon University Working Paper
Zurück zum Zitat Shah H, Nersessian NJ, Harrold MJ, Newstetter W (2012) Studying the influence of culture in global software engineering: thinking in terms of cultural models In: ACM proceedings of the 4th international conference on intercultural collaboration, Bengaluru, India Shah H, Nersessian NJ, Harrold MJ, Newstetter W (2012) Studying the influence of culture in global software engineering: thinking in terms of cultural models In: ACM proceedings of the 4th international conference on intercultural collaboration, Bengaluru, India
Zurück zum Zitat Sharp H, Baddoo N, Beecham S, Hall T, Robinson H (2009) Models of motivation in software engineering. Info Softw Technol 51(1):219–233CrossRef Sharp H, Baddoo N, Beecham S, Hall T, Robinson H (2009) Models of motivation in software engineering. Info Softw Technol 51(1):219–233CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Sharp H, Hall T, Baddoo N, Beecham S (2007) Exploring motivational differences between software developers and project managers. In: The 6th joint meeting of the european software engineering conference and the ACM SIGSOFT symposium on the foundations of software engineering (ESEC/FSE07), Dubrovnik, Croatia Sharp H, Hall T, Baddoo N, Beecham S (2007) Exploring motivational differences between software developers and project managers. In: The 6th joint meeting of the european software engineering conference and the ACM SIGSOFT symposium on the foundations of software engineering (ESEC/FSE07), Dubrovnik, Croatia
Zurück zum Zitat Skinner BF (1976) Walden two. Macmillan, New York Skinner BF (1976) Walden two. Macmillan, New York
Zurück zum Zitat Šmite D (2007) Global software development improvement. PhD Thesis, Riga Information Technology Institute, University of Latvia Šmite D (2007) Global software development improvement. PhD Thesis, Riga Information Technology Institute, University of Latvia
Zurück zum Zitat Šteinberga L, Šmite D (2011) Towards a contemporary understanding of motivation in distributed software projects: solution proposal, vol 770. University of Latvia, Computer Science and Information Technologies, pp 15–26 Šteinberga L, Šmite D (2011) Towards a contemporary understanding of motivation in distributed software projects: solution proposal, vol 770. University of Latvia, Computer Science and Information Technologies, pp 15–26
Zurück zum Zitat Sumner M, Yager S, Franke D (2005) Career orientation and organizational commitment of IT personnel. ACM SIGMIS CPR conference on computer personnel research (Atlanta, Georgia, USA, April 14 16, 2005) pp 75–80 Sumner M, Yager S, Franke D (2005) Career orientation and organizational commitment of IT personnel. ACM SIGMIS CPR conference on computer personnel research (Atlanta, Georgia, USA, April 14 16, 2005) pp 75–80
Zurück zum Zitat Taylor FW (1947) Scientific management. Harper & Row, New York Taylor FW (1947) Scientific management. Harper & Row, New York
Zurück zum Zitat Van de Walle B, Campbell C, Deek FP (2007) The impact of task structure and negotiation sequence on distributed requirements negotiation activity, conflict, and satisfaction, published by LNCS Van de Walle B, Campbell C, Deek FP (2007) The impact of task structure and negotiation sequence on distributed requirements negotiation activity, conflict, and satisfaction, published by LNCS
Zurück zum Zitat Verner J, Beecham S, Cerpa N (2010) Stakeholder dissonance: disagreements on project outcome and its impact on team motivation across three countries. In: ACM SIGMIS CPR’10, Vancouver, Canada Verner J, Beecham S, Cerpa N (2010) Stakeholder dissonance: disagreements on project outcome and its impact on team motivation across three countries. In: ACM SIGMIS CPR’10, Vancouver, Canada
Zurück zum Zitat Verner J, Ali-Barbar M, Cerpa N, Hall T, Beecham S (2014) Factors that motivate software engineering teams: a four country empirical study. J Syst Softw 95:115–127CrossRef Verner J, Ali-Barbar M, Cerpa N, Hall T, Beecham S (2014) Factors that motivate software engineering teams: a four country empirical study. J Syst Softw 95:115–127CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Vroom VH (1964) Work and motivation. Wiley, New York Vroom VH (1964) Work and motivation. Wiley, New York
Zurück zum Zitat Ye Y, Kishida J (2003) Toward an understanding of the motivation of open source software developers. Proceedings - International conference on software engineering, pp 419–429 Ye Y, Kishida J (2003) Toward an understanding of the motivation of open source software developers. Proceedings - International conference on software engineering, pp 419–429
Metadaten
Titel
Motivating Software Engineers Working in Virtual Teams Across the Globe
verfasst von
Sarah Beecham
Copyright-Jahr
2014
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-55035-5_10