Motivational factors and job satisfaction of employees in agriculture in the context of performance of agricultural companies in Slovakia

The aim of our research is to identify how the effectiveness of motivation and job satisfaction of employees contribute to the success of agricultural companies in Slovakia. The research sample consists of 757 employees in agricultural companies in Slovakia. Baron and Kenny’s mediation model and regression ANCOVA (analysis of covariance) were also used. The hypothesis that the dependence of the business performance on the effectiveness of motivation of the employees is mediated by their job satisfaction has been confirmed. An important finding is that the direct relationship between the business performance of agricultural companies and the effectiveness of employee motivation is not significant. However, the variable that transmits this effect, respectively mediates the impact of the effectiveness of employee motivation on business performance, is the job satisfaction of employees. A significant relationship between the effectiveness of motivation was found mainly among financial motivators, which points to the problematic nature of this motivational setting. Significant influencing factors include age, education and job position. As the effectiveness of financial motivation and satisfaction was highest in these groups, it is possible to start applying new trends in employee remuneration to other groups that have not shown such a connection to such a significant extent.