Comparison of Motivation Level of Service Sector Employees in the Regions of Slovakia and Austria

In the paper we compare the motivation level of service sector employees in two neighbouring countries in the Central Europe (Slovakia and Austria). We assume, considering the differences in present living conditions in both countries that there are significant differences in the motivation level of service sector employees. Subjects of the research were comparable hotels situated at the foot of mountains in the mentioned countries and in the towns with similar level of tourism, infrastructure and regional development. A questionnaire with closed questions was used to analyse the motivation level. Socio-demographic and qualification characteristics of employees were explored in the first part of the questionnaire. Individual motivation factors were included in the second part. Through them we acquired general information relating to motivation. Respondents evaluated individual motivation factors by one of the five levels of importance. On the basis of sample sizes and their independence a two-sample t- test was used to evaluate the significance and F-test was used to test the variances. The null hypothesis about the equality of individual motivation factors was tested at the significance level α = 0.05. Significant differences were determined in the motivation factors, i.e. the opportunity to apply one's own ability, information about achieved performance results, moving up the corporate ladder, prestige, self-actualization, social benefits, mission of the company, education and personal growth, relation to the environment, recognition and basic salary. The result of the paper is the finding that despite the economic differences between countries the level of employee motivation of the studied subjects in Slovakia and in Austria is very similar. Therefore, the arrangement proposal for improvement in the area of employee motivation can be the same in both regions.