Influence of financial reward on work performance of software testers - pilot experiments

This diploma thesis examines the relationship between the reward in the form of a financial bonus and the work performance of software testers. The introductory chapter contains an explanation of the theory of self-determination. The theory itself provides enough theoretical basis for putting the impact of rewards into context, which includes inner motivation, creativity, and work performance. After presenting the rewards and their consequences in a broader sense, a possible general way of measuring the employee performance is described. The way of measuring employee performance is then specified and adapted to the purpose of measuring the performance of software testers. The following part of diploma thesis is devoted to the design of the experiment for determining the effect of one-time financial reward on the quality of test cases execution. Within the design of the experiment, following operations are described: succession of activities, preparation of participants, preparation of tested application, creation of test scenarios, and preparation and classification of defects. Designed experiment is then verified in the form of test with participation of experienced testers and students with basic knowledge. The conclusion of the thesis contains evaluation of pilot experiments and possible interpretation of results, which lays the foundations for future research in this new, almost unexplored problematic.