Title: Factors inducing productivity: a qualitative and quantitative view of Portuguese companies

Authors: Daniel Correia; Pedro Reis; Pedro Pinto

Addresses: Piranha Global, Lda, Parque Industrial de Coimbrões, Lote 71, São João de Lourosa 3500-618 Viseu, Portugal ' School of Management, Polytechnique Institute of Viseu, Portugal ' School of Management, Polytechnique Institute of Viseu, Portugal

Abstract: This research aims to recognise the impact of communication, training, joint commitment, leadership practices, and corporate bonuses as productivity predictors. For this purpose, a questionnaire survey was used to obtain a longitudinal case study involving 147 semi-structured interviews with employees and managers engaging in different roles. Then, factor analysis and multivariate data analysis were used to identify the inductors of labour productivity along the hierarchical chain. The results indicate that regardless of the hierarchical level in which the responsibilities are performed, it was possible to identify labour productivity inductors. This work's originality remains on a holistic approach of employee recognition, motivation, engagement, compensation, communication, training, leadership style, and company type as global potential determinants for labour productivity for SMEs. The main limitations stem from the statistical technique used (cross-section analysis) and the restricted geographic scope. This study provides management tools that help promote worker productivity and management efficiency regardless of their hierarchical level.

Keywords: productivity; motivation; human capital; leadership; management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2022.126002

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2022 Vol.37 No.1, pp.56 - 78

Received: 30 Mar 2020
Accepted: 02 Feb 2021
Published online: 06 Oct 2022 *

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