Prevention of procrastination at work through motivation enhancement in small and medium enterprises in Slovakia

Abstract

Human resources are the backbone of well-functioning SMEs, similar to other businesses. It requires commitment, work, and specific leadership, driven by creative work, flexibility, and effective time management. Small and medium-sized enterprises are the driving force of the European economy, as they contribute to job creation and economic growth and ensure social stability. This study investigates the relationship between work motivation and procrastination among office employees in SMEs. The PAWS (Procrastination at Work Scale) and WEIMS (Work Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation Scale) standard questionnaires were filled out by office employees in Slovak SMEs to collect data. This quantitative approach enhanced our understanding of work motivation and procrastination and provided useful empirical data for minimising its negative impacts. A total of 153 self-completed Likert questionnaires were distributed and analysed using SAS. Pearson's correlation coefficient results showed a strong and significant negative relationship between intrinsic work motivation and work procrastination. The results show if the managers in SMEs examine the interaction between individuals and their environment, they can reveal what motivates the employees and thus reduce the frequency of procrastination.