Małgorzata Smolarek

Humanitas University,

Poland

E-mail: msmolarek@poczta.fm

ORCID 0000-0002-3766-8843

Job satisfaction among SMEs employees in Fibres & Textiles of the CEE countries

Łukasz Sułkowski

University of Social Sciences,

Poland

E-mail: sulkowskil@san.edu.pl

ORCID 0000-0002-1248-2743

Abstract. Purpose. The purpose of this study is to identify the determinants affecting employees’ professional satisfaction at small and medium-sized enterprises in the fibres and textile industry of the CEE countries. Design/methodology/approach - This empirical research is quantitative. The project investigated employee satisfaction at small and medium-sized enterprises. The sample consists of the data on 295 employees in fibres & textiles. The research was conducted in four countries belonging to the CEE countries, i.e., Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Lithuania. Findings - A number of positive answers regarding satisfaction with work corresponds to the social capital index. While assessing the factors affecting job satisfaction, workers’ relations and company communication as well as constancy and stability of employment were positively assessed by the employees. The incentive and remuneration systems in force were evaluated negatively. Research limitations/implications - The study was limited to the selected job satisfaction factors. The size of the research sample was not large enough to generalize the conclusions. The study was conducted using a self-designed questionnaire. Practical implications - Employers in the fibres and textile industry should pay more attention to their workers’ satisfaction, assuming that an increased level of satisfaction can contribute to an increased work efficiency, bringing measurable results. Originality/value – Although there are many studies dedicated to job satisfaction, a relatively limited number of such researches are focused on employees of small and medium-scale enterprises operating in the fibers & textiles branch. The article is, hence, an attempt to fill the aforementioned gap. Conducting the research in more than one country is sufficient enough to learn about the relationship between social capital and employee satisfaction.

Received: October, 2019

1st Revision: February, 2020

Accepted: June, 2020

DOI: 10.14254/2071-789X.2020/13-2/13

JEL Classification: M12, M54

Keywords: job satisfaction, social capital, CEE countries, SME, fibres & textile industry