Obstacles to Finding an Ideal Job
A Comparative Study of Czechia and Poland
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15170/MM.2025.59.02.02Keywords:
Gender differences, Ideal workplace, Czechia, Poland, Labor market barriers, Work-life balanceAbstract
Abstract
This study examines the obstacles men and women face in finding their ideal workplace across Czechia and Poland. Using labor market research and survey data, we investigate gender differences in the barriers to job searches, focusing on issues such as qualifications, references, commuting, and mobility. Our findings reveal that while there are no significant gender differences in some areas, distinct patterns emerge in others, shaped by social and economic factors specific to each country. For instance, men tend to prioritize salary, while women often emphasize work-life balance. The research highlights the need for tailored employment strategies that address these gender-specific challenges. While the study is limited by the non-representative sample, it provides valuable insights into the factors influencing job searches in Central and Eastern Europe, paving the way for future research on demographic-specific needs in the labor market.
Keywords: Gender differences, Ideal workplace, Czechia, Poland, Labor market barriers, Work-life balance
References
Balogh, B., Krén, H. & Kun, Á. (2025), „Exploring the Association between Perceived Career Crisis, Discrepancy of Career Expectations, and Wellbeing among Hungarian Employees”, Periodica Polytechnica Social and Management Sciences, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPso. 36944
Blau, D. M. (1992), „An Empirical Analysis of Employed and Unemployed Job Search Behavior”, ILR Review, 45(4), 738–752. https://doi.org/10.1177/001979399204500409
Cranet (2023), Research Network, Cranet Executive Report on International Human Resource Management: Summary and Analysis of 2021–2022 Survey Data, CRANET Research Network, 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4647015 [letöltés ideje: 2024. december 22.]
De Smet, A., Dowling, B., Hancock, B. & Schaninger, B. (2002), „The Great Attrition is making hiring harder. Are you searching the right talent pools?”, McKinsey Quaterly, 1–13.
Dustmann, C. & Van Soest, A. (2002), „Language and the Earnings of Immigrants”, ILR Review, 55(3), 473–492. https://doi.org/10.1177/001979390205500305
Eurofound (2021), Women and labour market equality: Has COVID-19 rolled back recent gains?, Publications Office of the European Union, 2021. https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/en/publications/2020/women-and-labour-market-equality-has-covid-19-rolled-back-recent-gains [letöltés ideje: 2025.07.22.]
Farkas, F., Jarjabka, Á., Lóránd, B. & Bálint, B. (2013), „Munkahelyi motivációk Magyarországon 2013-ban”, Vezetéstudomány 44(10), 12–23. https://doi.org/10.14267/VEZTUD.2013.10.02
Fiaz, S. & Qureshi, M. A. (2023), „Looking at both sides, outcomes of positive workplace relational systems: A phenomenological study”, Heliyon, 9(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15442
Granovetter, M., S. (1973), „The strength of weak ties”, American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360–1380.
HRportal (2022), Hogyan találhatjuk meg a számunkra ideális munkát? https://www.hrportal.hu/hr/hogyan-talalhatjuk-meg-a-szamunkra-idealis-munkat-20230424.html [letöltés ideje: 2024.12.22.]
Jovanovic, B. (1979), „Job Matching and the Theory of Turnover”, Journal of Political Economy, 87(5), 972–990. https://doi.org/10.1086/260808
Kalleberg, A., L. & Mastekaasa, A. (2001), „Satisfied Movers, Committed Stayers: The Impact of Job Mobility on Work Attitudes in Norway”, Work and Occupations, 28(2), 183–209. https://doi.org/10.1177/0730888401028002004
Kanfer, R., Wanberg, C. R. & Kantrowitz, T. M. (2001), „Job search and employment: a personality-motivational analysis and meta-analytic review”, Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(5), 837–855. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.86.5.837
Mohd, S.Mohd R. (2023), The Impact of Poland and the Czech Republic Implementing the Euro: A Comparative Analysis, September 6, 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4562873 [letöltés ideje: 2024.12.22.]
Oreopoulos, P., von Wachter, T. & Heisz, A. (2012), „The Short- and Long-Term Career Effects of Graduating in a Recession: Hysteresis and Heterogeneity in the Market for College Graduates”, American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 4(1), 1–29. https://www.iza.org/publications/dp/3578/the-short-and-long-term-career-effects-of-graduating-in-a-recession-hysteresis-and-heterogeneity-in-the-market-for-college-graduates [letöltés ideje: 2025.07.22.]
Posta R. (2015), 15 dolog, amiről felismerjük az ideális munkát. https://www.profession.hu/cikk/15-dolog-amirol-felismerjuk-az-idealis-munkat? [letöltés ideje: 2024.12.22.]
Scherer, S. (2004), „Stepping-Stones or Traps?: The Consequences of Labour Market Entry Positions on Future Careers in West Germany, Great Britain and Italy”, Work, Employment and Society, 18(2), 369–394. https://doi.org/10.1177/09500172004042774
Spitzberg, B. H. & Cupach, W. R. (1984), Interpersonal Communication Competence. SAGE Publications, Beverly Hills. 1984.
Šafránková, J. M. & Šikýř, M. (2017), „Work expectations and potential employ-ability of millennials and post-millennials on the Czech labor market”, Oeconomia Copernicana, 8(4), 585–599. https://doi.org/10.24136/oc.v8i4.36
Smith, M., Piasna, A., Burchell, B., Rubery, J., Rafferty, A., Rose, J. & Carter, L. (2013), Women, men and working conditions in Europe, Eurofound, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.
Szulc-Obłoza, A., Osińska, M., Śliwicki, D. & Szczepaniak, M. (2023), „Young adults’ jobsatisfaction in Poland and the Czech Republic: a comparative analysis”, Ekonomia i Prawo. Economics and Law, 22(2), 345–367. https://doi.org/10.12775/EiP.2023.020
Turner, J. (2023), Employees Seek Personal Value and Purpose at Work. Be Prepared to Deliver. https://www.gartner.com/en/articles/employees-seek-personal-value-and-purpose-at-work-be-prepared-to-deliver [letöltés ideje: 2024.08.31.]
Tusińska, M. (2023), „Motives and expectations of platform workers in Poland”, Ekonomia i Prawo, 22, 385–398. https://doi.org/10.12775/EiP.2023.022
Usunier, J. C., Van Herk, H. & Lee, J. A. (2017), International and Cross- Cultural Business Research. Los Angeles, Sage, 2017.
Zhenjing, G., Chupradit, S., Ku, K. Y., Nassani, A. A. & Haffar, M. (2022), „Impact of Employees’ Workplace Environment on Employees’ Performance: A Multi-Mediation Model”, Frontiers in Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.890400
WEF (2023), Future of Jobs Report 2023 – Insight Report. Geneva, WEF (World Economic Forum), 2023.
Vermes Á. (2024), Olyan munkahelyről álmodnak a magyarok, amely sokak szerint csak a mesében létezik, https://www.economx.hu/gazdasag/pulzus-kutatas-munkahely-berezes-munkahelyi-legkor.793913.html [letöltés ideje: 2024.12.22.]
Visontai-Szabó K. (2020), „Generációs különbségekből adódó motivációs nehézségek a munkahelyeken”, Acta Universitatis Szegediensis: Forum Acta Jjuridica et Politica, 10(2), 289–310. http:///acta.bibl.u-szeged.hu/70550/ [letöltés ideje: 2025.07.22.]
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 The Hungarian Journal of Marketing and Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
