Praxeological aspects of employee motivation – the basis of SME strategy

This study examines the relationship between the motivation system and the business strategy of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic, the purpose of the study is to analyze how the requirements and expectations of employees and business owners are changing in a pandemic, to identify a mechanism for embedding a motivation system in a business strategy and to present, on the example of practical experience, the impact of employee motivation on the achievement of strategic goals. A survey of the owners of MSMEs revealed that about 85% during the pandemic faced manipulation by key professional employees – the threat of dismissal. Labor intensity and intensification began to play a key role in employee motivation. During a pandemic, the main business strategy of MSMEs becomes a survival strategy. The implementation of this strategy is possible only due to the sustainability of MSMEs as a business unit, which implies a high level of loyalty and commitment on the part of the team, providing opportunities for additional work and maintaining a high level of social responsibility of business owners.