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The Impact of Human Resource Management Factors on Business Sustainability in the Manufacturing Sector: A Comparative Study of SMEs in the Visegrad Four Countries

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This study aims to develop a model of sustainable business performance within small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector, with a particular focus on Human Resource Management (HRM) factors, and to compare this model across different sectors, namely manufacturing, trade, and services.The empirical research was conducted in February 2024 across the Visegrad Four (V4) countries-Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary.Data collection was managed by the European Centre for Economic and Social Research through a Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) method, using a survey questionnaire designed by the research team.Linear regression modeling (LRM) was employed to test the proposed hypotheses.The findings reveal that a participative management style and a high-quality employee appraisal system were identified as significant factors influencing business sustainability within the manufacturing sector.Additionally, career growth planning, employee satisfaction, and low turnover rates were found to have positive effects on sustainability.When comparing the models across the sectors, the research highlighted significant sectoral differences.In the trade sector, all HRM factors were found to be influential, whereas, in the manufacturing sector, only the factors related to participative management style (x1), employee appraisal quality (x2), and career growth planning (x4) showed significant effects.The least significant impact of HRM factors on business sustainability was observed in the services sector, where only two factors (x2 and x4) were significant.Notably, differences were observed in the significance of certain factors across the sectors: while factor x2 (employee appraisal quality) was crucial in the manufacturing sector, it was insignificant in the services sector.Conversely, factor x3 (employee satisfaction) showed no significant effect in the manufacturing sector but was significant in the trade sector.These findings underscore the importance of adapting HRM practices to the specific characteristics of each sector in order to enhance sustainability.The study highlights the necessity for tailored HRM strategies that align with the sector-specific dynamics of SMEs to promote long-term business sustainability.

Source: Journal of Organizations Technology and Entrepreneurship

DOI: 10.56578/jote020304

Authors: Jaroslav Belas, Zdenko Metzker, Alexandra Hotkova

Institutions: Trencianska Univerzita Alexandra Dubceka V Trencine, Tomas Bata University in Zlín

Language: English

Topic: Human Resource and Talent Management

Subfield: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W4405762982