A STUDY INTO MOTIVATION AND SATISFACTION OF CROATIAN EMPOLYEES

Motivated employees achieve better work performance, thereby increasing the overall performance of an organisation and its competitiveness in the market. The motivational system of an organization must be designed to meet the needs and wishes of a large number of employees and to aim at improving individual work performance by creating and rewarding desirable behaviour. An adequate and effective motivational system includes several different forms of rewards, as well as fairness in the distribution of rewards to employees. Employees' motivation and satisfaction are important parameters in evaluating the appropriateness of the motivation system in organizations. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of employees' motivation and satisfaction and, therefore, determine whether organizations require changes in the motivation system. The research objectives are: to determine the employees' level of motivation and satisfaction concerning specific factors, to collect information about the interest superiors, but also the organization itself, demonstrate concerning employees' motivation and satisfaction, to explore the intentions of employees about changing their position, to ascertain to what extent the motivational system that organizations use is in compliance with the wishes of employees. The survey was conducted from 18 April to 18 May, 2015 on a sample of 165 respondents using an online questionnaire. After the descriptive statistical analysis was conducted, it is possible to determine the medium level of motivation and satisfaction of employees. The largest number of the respondents selected "job security" as the most motivating factor and "regularity of salary payments" as an element they are mostly satisfied with in the organization where they work. This reflects a long-term unfavourable economic environment and a rise in the number of the unemployed. "Opportunity for advancement" is a factor, which was due to its absence in organizations, rated poorly by the respondents to a great extent.