Job satisfaction in small and medium-sized enterprises

A 2007 survey found relatively high employee satisfaction with different aspects of working conditions in Bulgarian small and medium enterprises. There were differences in employees’ and employers’ assessments, with 75% of employers and 50% of employees assessing different aspects as excellent or very good. Employees expressed high levels of satisfaction with possibilities for flexible working time and using their initiative, being least satisfied with pay and promotion prospects.

About the survey

The survey (in Bulgarian, 510Kb PDF) into job satisfaction in Bulgaria was carried out by a team of researchers from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) as part of the project, ‘Flexible employment and security in SMEs in Bulgaria: state of the art and trends’.

The survey sample included 196 employers and 452 employees in micro and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in different economic sectors and regions throughout the country. The questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 2007 and the results were published at the end of 2008. The survey provides information on employee satisfaction with 12 aspects of their working conditions as well as employers’ assessment of these aspects on a five-point scale.

Main findings

Employee satisfaction

Just about half of the surveyed employees were satisfied overall with their working conditions. The average level of general satisfaction with the working conditions (on a scale from 1 to 5) was 3.65 points. The breakdown by gender, age and education revealed that:

• women were more satisfied than men;

• the share of satisfied respondents increased with age and educational level.

Satisfaction with pay and working time

Most of the respondents received remuneration according to the time worked, while about a third received pay based on results. More than 40% stated that their remuneration was based on periodical assessment by the employer.

The survey findings also revealed that social benefits are not widely used in SMEs. Over half of the respondents had never received social benefits, while the rest received benefits for transport (28%), food (20%) and health care (14%).

Against the background of higher than average general satisfaction with their working conditions, the respondents were most satisfied with the regular payment of wages (4.62 points), followed by the method of payment of wages (via bank transfer or in cash) (4.09 points) and possibilities for flexible working time (4.03 points) (Figure 1). Most satisfied with this latter aspect were employees in small enterprises, younger employees and employees with a university education. However, respondents expressed a relatively low degree of satisfaction with such aspects as how much they were paid (3.67 points) and the possibilities for wage increases (3.30 points).

Figure 1: Satisfaction with remuneration and working time arrangements (average values)

Notes: The results shown are based on answers to the questions: ‘To what extent are you satisfied with the following aspects of working conditions at your current job…’? (Employees) and ‘How do you assess the following aspects of the working conditions in your company…?’ (Employers). The figures are average values of particular items evaluated on a scale from 1 (not at all satisfied) to 5 (very satisfied).

Source: Vladimirova and Atanassova, 2008

Satisfaction with other aspects of working conditions

Among the other aspects of working conditions, the highest average value was attributed to the possibilities for using one’s own initiative at work (4.06 points) followed by the employer’s attitude towards the employees (4.04 points) (Figure 2). More than 70% of the employees were satisfied with the way in which their employer behaves and treats them.

However, the category of ‘satisfaction with the management style’ received one of the lowest rankings (3.56 points). Also receiving lower rankings were opportunities for professional realisation (3.31 points) and correspondence of the job with qualifications (3.33 points). Those most dissatisfied with these aspects of working conditions are young employees and employees of micro and small enterprises where the opportunities for career development are more limited.

Figure 2: Satisfaction with other aspects of working conditions (average values)

Source: Vladimirova and Atanassova, 2008

Employers’ assessment of working conditions in enterprises

Over 75% of the employers assessed working conditions in their enterprises as excellent or very good compared to just 50% of the employees. The survey also highlighted substantial differences between the employers’ assessment of almost all aspects of working conditions and the corresponding employee satisfaction with these aspects as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Commentary

This is the first ever survey focusing on workers’ satisfaction with various aspects of their working conditions in Bulgarian SMEs. It provides valuable information for employers in terms of strategies to achieve a more motivated and productive workforce. The findings reveal a relatively high level of satisfaction with various aspects of working conditions. However, the study was conducted during a period of economic growth and low unemployment.

References

Vladimirova, K. and Atanassova, M., Flexible employment forms: State and possibilities for development (in Bulgarian, 511Kb PDF), Sofia, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2008.

Vladimirova, K. (ed.), Flexible employment and security in SMEs in Bulgaria: state and trends, Sofia, Chance AD, 2008.

Nadezhda Daskalova, Institute for Social and Trade Union Research (ISTUR)