Why is it that we know and still act as if we do not know? SMEs are considered engines of job creation and therefore growth and generation of income but is it really true that the solo self-employed and micro entrepreneurs will become small or medium entrepreneurs, e.g. graduate? We knew in the 80’s that this assumption needed to be looked at critically. Research revealed that graduation hardly existed. Practitioners in MSME support and development programmes entertain few illusions about their programmes actually leading to graduation, while NGO and Government policy officers, from behind their desks, often presume that graduation occurs frequently. Actual graduation rates and the extent to which they can be attributed to interventions remain an unresolved and important issue. After more than three decades it is justified to the question whether it is still true that graduation hardly exists? If that is the case one needs to take a critical look into prevailing policies and programs in support of the SME sector.
This thesis investigates knowledge workersandapos; satisfaction with Activity-Based Working (ABW) environments and its impact on perceived productivity in the Netherlands. Grounded in Person-Environment Fit Theory, this study addresses the importance of employee productivity in organizational success and examines how ABW environments can enhance satisfaction and productivity by aligning with job characteristics, task characteristics, and psychological needs. This study employed a quantitative approach, gathering responses through an online questionnaire from 110 knowledge workers in Dutch ABW settings. The study examined the relationships between job characteristics, task characteristics, behavioural patterns, psychological needs, and demographic characteristics with satisfaction in ABW environments and its impact on perceived productivity. The findings revealed positive correlations between ABW environments and job characteristics, suggesting that these settings are particularly beneficial for roles requiring high autonomy, social interaction, and internal mobility. Task variety also positively influences satisfaction, underscoring the importance of offering diverse tasks to foster employee satisfaction, thereby increasing their perceived productivity in ABW settings. However, the study found that employees with a high need for structure and privacy are less satisfied in ABW environments. Overall, this study found a generally positive outlook on ABW environments. Most participants reported a good fit between their workspace and activities, leading to higher satisfaction and perceived productivity. This suggests a potential positive feedback loop within well-designed ABW settings. The results offer valuable insights for facility and workspace managers aiming to create supportive and efficient work environments. By understanding and addressing the specific needs and characteristics of knowledge workers, organizations can enhance satisfaction and productivity, thereby adding value to their organizations and achieving sustainable success.
MULTIFILE
