Career development and learning as demotivators in large companies of Primorje-Gorski kotar county, Croatia

In: Ekonomski pregled: Economic review, Band 72, Heft 1, S. 34-58

Abstract

In this paper, aspects of the human resource
management: motivation, career management and management of learning have been
analyzed on the sample of the largest companies in Primorje-Gorski kotar (PGK)
county. In this research, career management has been explored through the prism
of employee motivation, while a special emphasis was given to learning, which
could enable long term employability and career development of employees in
their current or organizations of their future employment. The questionnaire
was designed on the basis of the presented literature review and sent to a
total of 20 largest companies in PGK county based on the report by the Croatian
economic chamber, County chamber Rijeka. Even though the sample was small,
which is its main limitation, this research pointed to several deficiencies in
human resource management. Despite different expectations, the results have
shown that large companies in this county dedicate only average attention to
all three examined human resource management aspects. The most striking finding
is the fact that managers of the surveyed companies do not frequently resort to
non-material rewards that are easily available and show appreciation to
employees. This fact contributes to below average satisfaction of employees
with motivation programs, as expressed by managers. It is promising that the
surveyed companies invest above average efforts in the introduction of new
learning programs due to significant changes in business conditions. Weak and
negative correlation among the surveyed constructs and business results points
to possible deepening of current problems and gloomy forecasts regarding
further development of this county. These results could further exacerbate the
already devastating emigration and brain drain problem in Croatia.