Figure 1.
Figure 2.
Characteristics of the research sample
| Demographic Questions | Demographic Indications | Proportion of subjects with each indication |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Female | 63.5% |
| Male | 35.5% | |
| Age | 18-25 years old | 41.0 % |
| 25-40 years old | 33.9% | |
| 40-60 years old | 23.8% | |
| > 60 years old | 1.3% | |
| Position | Worker | 31.6% |
| Non-worker with no subordinate employees | 42.0% | |
| Managerial | 26.4% | |
| Size of the organization | Micro enterprise: 1-9 employees | 26.1% |
| Small enterprise: 10-49 employees | 30.3% | |
| Medium enterprise: 50-249 employees | 43.6% | |
| Total work experience | < 1 year | 9.8% |
| 1-5 years | 37.8% | |
| 6-10 years | 16.9% | |
| > 10 years | 35.5% | |
| Work experience in the current organization | < 1 year | 29.0% |
| 1-5 years | 44.3% | |
| 6-10 years | 8.8% | |
| > 10 years | 17.9% | |
| Primary | 0.3% | |
| Vocational | 0.7% | |
| Education | Secondary | 31.9% |
| Higher | 67.1% |
Average ratings of factors influencing the level of trust in managers in employees of micro-enterprises, small enterprises and mediumsized enterprises
| Factors of the level of trust in managers | Size of the enterprise | Paired comparisons | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| micro | small | medium | micro vs small | micro vs medium | small vs medium | |||||||||
| M | SD | M | SD | M | SD | H | p | U | p | U | p | U | p | |
| Competence adequate to the position held | 3.96 | 1.27 | 4.31 | 0.93 | 4.46 | 0.95 | 9.56 | 0.008 | 3280.0 | 0.143 | 4215.5 | 0.003 | 5494.0 | 0.079 |
| Commitment in the performance of official duties | 4.06 | 1.17 | 4.29 | 0.95 | 4.40 | 0.89 | 3.89 | 0.143 | 3432.5 | 0.340 | 4595.0 | 0.052 | 5788.5 | 0.308 |
| Openness in communication with other employees | 4.08 | 1.13 | 4.10 | 1.06 | 4.34 | 0.98 | 5.06 | 0.080 | 3717.0 | 0.992 | 4619.5 | 0.063 | 5381.0 | 0.055 |
| Discretion in mutual relations with other employees | 3.96 | 1.18 | 4.12 | 0.98 | 4.41 | 0.86 | 9.80 | 0.007 | 3559.5 | 0.603 | 4256.5 | 0.006 | 5141.5 | 0.014 |
| Clarity of communicated messages | 4.13 | 1.08 | 4.10 | 1.00 | 4.44 | 0.86 | 10.12 | 0.006 | 3551.0 | 0.582 | 4526.0 | 0.032 | 4879.5 | 0.002 |
| Active listening by others | 4.14 | 1.09 | 4.26 | 0.91 | 4.42 | 0.87 | 3.99 | 0.136 | 3609.5 | 0.715 | 4663.0 | 0.076 | 5555.5 | 0.121 |
| Creating an atmosphere conducive to free expression of one’s own opinion | 4.14 | 1.08 | 4.12 | 1.02 | 4.37 | 0.84 | 4.29 | 0.117 | 3559.0 | 0.598 | 4857.5 | 0.206 | 5327.5 | 0.042 |
| Integrity in the performance of official duties | 4.15 | 1.10 | 4.24 | 1.02 | 4.48 | 0.84 | 5.47 | 0.065 | 3608.5 | 0.710 | 4553.0 | 0.036 | 5455.0 | 0.069 |
| Mutual loyalty in relations with other employees | 4.10 | 1.24 | 4.26 | 1.03 | 4.33 | 0.95 | 0.78 | 0.677 | 3552.5 | 0.572 | 5017.5 | 0.385 | 6094.5 | 0.754 |
| Honesty in expressing opinions and assessments | 4.05 | 1.23 | 4.19 | 1.06 | 4.28 | 0.99 | 1.15 | 0.562 | 3588.0 | 0.663 | 4942.5 | 0.296 | 5955.0 | 0.533 |
| Care in relations with other employees | 4.06 | 1.05 | 4.09 | 1.08 | 4.02 | 1.05 | 0.46 | 0.794 | 3622.5 | 0.751 | 5232.0 | 0.756 | 5923.0 | 0.501 |
| Reliability, keeping the declarations/promises made | 4.13 | 0.99 | 4.27 | 1.00 | 4.47 | 0.92 | 10.36 | 0.006 | 3345.0 | 0.215 | 4138.0 | 0.002 | 5427.5 | 0.056 |
| Good intentions/kindness in relations with other employees | 4.16 | 1.12 | 4.16 | 0.95 | 4.16 | 1.03 | 0.49 | 0.784 | 3509.5 | 0.489 | 5224.5 | 0.737 | 6037.0 | 0.667 |
| Taking responsibility for your actions | 4.25 | 1.03 | 4.42 | 0.89 | 4.51 | 0.83 | 3.98 | 0.137 | 3429.0 | 0.318 | 4615.0 | 0.048 | 5825.5 | 0.326 |
| Fair evaluation of employees | 4.13 | 1.23 | 4.40 | 0.99 | 4.49 | 0.93 | 4.89 | 0.087 | 3331.0 | 0.173 | 4550.0 | 0.029 | 5914.0 | 0.428 |
Classification of trust level determinants in managers
| Determinants | Statements |
|---|---|
| Competence | I trust that my superiors have sufficiently high competencies to perform their duties (e.g., they know the specifics of the industry, and have skills in managing employees). |
| I trust that my superiors are willing to share their knowledge with other employees. | |
| Commitment | I trust that my superiors are fully committed to their work. |
| I trust that my superiors are professionals in their work and perform their official duties diligently. | |
| Communication | I trust that my superiors provide information to their employees in the most simple and understandable way. |
| I trust that I can speak freely with my superiors about my difficulties at work and it will not cause misunderstandings. | |
| Honesty | I trust that my superiors make reliable assessments and maintain impartiality in conflict situations between employees. |
| I trust that my superiors do not gossip about other employees. | |
| I trust that my superiors do not overlook me when passing on important information/job responsibilities for their own benefit. | |
| Loyalty | I trust that my superiors do not hinder my work with careless or ill-considered actions that expose me to uncomfortable situations. |
| Sincerity | I trust that my superiors express their opinions and assessments honestly. |
| I trust that my superiors are discreet, and I can honestly talk to them about my difficulties within or outside of work without fear that other employees will find out about them. | |
| I trust that my superiors are willing to openly admit their mistakes. | |
| Care | I trust that my superiors notice conflicts between employees and take appropriate action to resolve them. |
| Reliability | I trust that my superiors are able to devote themselves personally to achieving common goals for the entire team (for example, by offering their extra time). |
| Good intentions / kindness | I trust that my superiors have good intentions in performing their professional duties, both in relation to the organization and to colleagues. |
| I trust that my superiors do not use my weaknesses against me to achieve their business goals. | |
| I trust that my superiors will not accuse me of incompetence when I ask them for help in the performance of my official duties. | |
| I trust that my superiors do not force unnecessary competition between employees. | |
| Responsibility | I trust that my superiors accept responsibility for their mistakes. |
| I trust that my superiors take actions that are the consequences of previous declarations (promises). | |
| Justice | I trust that my superiors evaluate my performance fairly. |
| I trust that my superiors notice incompetence in their employees and undertake relevant action. | |
| I trust that my superiors do not succumb to manipulations used by other employees, which are aimed at strengthening their professional position (e.g., “snitching” on teammates to gain the recognition of the superior). | |
| I trust that my superiors treat employees equally and do not favor selected individuals. | |
| I trust that my superiors hold their subordinates accountable fairly and solely on the basis of work results, not guided by personal judgements. |
Average values of respondents’ indicators of trust level toward their superiors among a population of employees at micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises
| I trust that my superiors… | Size of the enterprise | Paired comparisons | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| micro | small | medium | micro vs small | micro vs medium | small vs medium | |||||||||
| M | SD | M | SD | M | SD | H | p | U | p | U | p | U | p | |
| Have sufficient competence to perform their duties | 4.03 | 0.98 | 3.82 | 1.14 | 3.78 | 1.00 | 3.39 | 0.183 | 3410.0 | 0.321 | 4581.0 | 0.061 | 5893.0 | 0.465 |
| Are fully committed to their work | 4.15 | 0.80 | 3.78 | 1.12 | 3.93 | 1.06 | 3.41 | 0.182 | 3139.0 | 0.061 | 4931.0 | 0.299 | 5785.0 | 0.336 |
| Are professionals in their work and perform their official duties diligently | 4.09 | 1.12 | 3.77 | 1.07 | 3.87 | 1.08 | 5.70 | 0.058 | 2986.5 | 0.019 | 4629.5 | 0.079 | 5871.5 | 0.438 |
| Will not accuse me of incompetence when I ask them for help in the performance of my official duties | 4.05 | 0.94 | 3.73 | 1.10 | 3.98 | 0.99 | 4.09 | 0.130 | 3147.5 | 0.066 | 5189.0 | 0.678 | 5467.0 | 0.096 |
| Can be spoken freely with about my difficulties at work without causing misunderstandings | 3.86 | 1.09 | 3.78 | 1.07 | 3.78 | 1.16 | 0.33 | 0.848 | 3537.5 | 0.560 | 5191.0 | 0.687 | 6143.5 | 0.851 |
| Evaluate my performance fairly | 4.05 | 1.08 | 3.94 | 0.99 | 3.83 | 1.08 | 2.74 | 0.254 | 3392.5 | 0.293 | 4679.0 | 0.103 | 5955.5 | 0.552 |
| Do not hinder my work with careless, ill-considered actions that expose me to uncomfortable situations | 4.09 | 0.90 | 3.78 | 1.11 | 3.74 | 1.04 | 6.03 | 0.049 | 3195.0 | 0.092 | 4331.5 | 0.013 | 5996.5 | 0.614 |
| Will openly admit their mistakes | 3.71 | 1.08 | 3.46 | 1.24 | 3.18 | 1.33 | 8.29 | 0.016 | 3345.5 | 0.237 | 4156.5 | 0.005 | 5469.0 | 0.108 |
| Accept responsibility for their mistakes | 3.74 | 1.22 | 3.52 | 1.18 | 3.29 | 1.27 | 6.64 | 0.036 | 3289.5 | 0.176 | 4281.5 | 0.011 | 5647.5 | 0.216 |
| Provide information to their employees in the most simple and understandable way | 3.91 | 1.03 | 3.75 | 0.96 | 3.75 | 1.05 | 1.87 | 0.392 | 3328.0 | 0.211 | 4874.5 | 0.245 | 6118.5 | 0.808 |
| Are willing to share their knowledge with other employees | 4.13 | 0.99 | 3.88 | 0.88 | 3.80 | 1.09 | 6.28 | 0.043 | 3054.0 | 0.030 | 4412.5 | 0.023 | 6129.0 | 0.824 |
| Are discreet and can be spoken with about my difficulties within and outside work, without fear that other employees will find out about them | 3.90 | 1.21 | 3.57 | 1.19 | 3.49 | 1.31 | 6.09 | 0.048 | 3076.0 | 0.042 | 4380.0 | 0.021 | 6123.5 | 0.820 |
| Express their opinions and assessments honestly | 3.94 | 1.00 | 3.72 | 1.12 | 3.60 | 1.14 | 4.50 | 0.105 | 3323.0 | 0.204 | 4466.5 | 0.033 | 5870.5 | 0.442 |
| Do not overlook me when passing on important information/job responsibilities for their own benefit | 3.91 | 1.10 | 3.86 | 0.98 | 3.61 | 1.22 | 3.53 | 0.171 | 3513.0 | 0.506 | 4625.5 | 0.081 | 5654.5 | 0.214 |
| Do not force unnecessary competition between employees | 4.20 | 0.91 | 3.95 | 1.01 | 3.69 | 1.15 | 10.43 | 0.005 | 3211.0 | 0.100 | 4030.0 | 0.002 | 5490.0 | 0.113 |
| Treat employees equally and do not favor selected individuals | 3.85 | 1.01 | 3.39 | 1.23 | 3.15 | 1.35 | 13.63 | 0.001 | 2971.5 | 0.018 | 3804.0 | 0.001 | 5621.5 | 0.199 |
| Hold their subordinates accountable fairly and solely on the basis of work results, not guided by personal judgements | 3.98 | 0.99 | 3.49 | 1.13 | 3.29 | 1.29 | 15.88 | 0.001 | 2798.5 | 0.004 | 3734.0 | 0.001 | 5696.0 | 0.258 |
| Do not succumb to manipulations used by other employees trying to strengthen their professional position | 3.98 | 1.04 | 3.56 | 1.15 | 3.31 | 1.24 | 15.24 | 0.001 | 2943.5 | 0.014 | 3732.5 | 0.001 | 5534.5 | 0.140 |
| Notice the incompetence of their employees and undertake relevant actions | 3.79 | 0.99 | 3.45 | 1.14 | 3.25 | 1.19 | 10.16 | 0.006 | 3110.5 | 0.054 | 4012.5 | 0.001 | 5683.5 | 0.245 |
| Notice conflicts between employees and take appropriate action to resolve them | 3.89 | 0.97 | 3.53 | 1.11 | 3.34 | 1.18 | 10.75 | 0.005 | 3066.0 | 0.038 | 3983.0 | 0.001 | 5696.5 | 0.256 |
| Make reliable assessments and maintain impartiality in conflict situations between employees | 3.84 | 1.04 | 3.55 | 1.11 | 3.44 | 1.10 | 6.75 | 0.034 | 3179.5 | 0.087 | 4269.5 | 0.010 | 5861.0 | 0.431 |
| Take actions that are the consequences of previous declarations | 3.99 | 1.00 | 3.85 | 1.02 | 3.60 | 1.10 | 7.19 | 0.027 | 3399.0 | 0.302 | 4285.0 | 0.010 | 5471.0 | 0.103 |
| Do not gossip about other employees | 3.60 | 1.10 | 3.12 | 1.27 | 2.98 | 1.37 | 11.57 | 0.003 | 2904.0 | 0.010 | 3964.5 | 0.001 | 5860.5 | 0.436 |
| Have good intentions in performing their professional duties, both in relation to the organization and to colleagues | 4.16 | 0.91 | 3.98 | 0.92 | 3.85 | 0.93 | 6.54 | 0.038 | 3281.5 | 0.155 | 4317.0 | 0.011 | 5725.0 | 0.265 |
| Do not use my weaknesses against me to achieve their business goals | 4.00 | 1.13 | 3.85 | 1.08 | 3.76 | 1.01 | 4.09 | 0.129 | 3369.0 | 0.262 | 4497.5 | 0.040 | 5873.5 | 0.443 |
| Are able to devote themselves personally to achieving common goals for the entire team | 3.94 | 1.07 | 3.70 | 1.10 | 3.61 | 1.21 | 3.99 | 0.136 | 3224.5 | 0.114 | 4561.0 | 0.057 | 6092.5 | 0.767 |