Analysis of Factors Influencing the Motivation of Production Workers: Experiences of Polish Family Businesses

Purpose: The article's main aim is to evaluate and analyze effective factors that motivate employees of family businesses in the industrial processing sector to work. Design/Approach/Methodology: The research results presented in the study were carried out in Poland. The research tool was a self-questionnaire containing socio-demographic questions and statements regarding opinions about the workplace and factors motivating to work. The survey research was preceded by a series of in-depth, unstructured expert interviews. The questionnaire was developed using the Delphi method. Findings: Employees of family production companies are to the greatest extent motivated by non-material motivation factors, the certainty of receiving remuneration on time, no mobbing and no discrimination, and job security. Among the material factors, the respondents are most motivated by non-monetary factors, participation in training and holiday vouchers, and monetary factors: salary increase and receiving cash prizes. The results of this survey provide important information for owners and managers of family businesses and researchers interested in the topic of employee motivation. They refute the previous (and usually stereotypical) approaches to motivating, according to which Polish companies' employees positively assess only material motivation factors. Practical Implications: The results can be used to build effective incentive systems in manufacturing family businesses. The achieved results may turn out to be particularly important for companies in crises (such as, for example, the global COVID-19 epidemic), during which the business continuity is disturbed and limited financial liquidity results in the inability to use material motivating factors. Originality/Value: The research provides practical answers to encourage further research and summary research globally about the family business.