The dissertation is devoted to the substantiation of theoretical and methodological principles and the development of practical recommendations for the formation and development of the motivational mechanism of agricultural enterprises under conditions of uncertainty. The relevance of the topic is determined by the need to ensure the effective functioning of agricultural enterprises under martial law, labor shortages, financial and economic instability, increasing social risks, and the necessity of maintaining Ukraine’s food security.
The study reveals the essence of the concepts of “motivational system” and “motivational mechanism,” defines their structure, components, principles of formation, and specific features of development in modern conditions. It is substantiated that the motivational mechanism of agricultural enterprises is a system of managerial, economic, social, and moral-psychological influences aimed at increasing labor productivity, professional activity, labor discipline, employee loyalty, and the overall performance of the enterprise.
The scientific novelty of the research lies in the deepening of theoretical provisions regarding the content and structure of the motivational mechanism of agricultural enterprises, as well as in identifying the changes occurring under the influence of digitalization, automation, biotechnology, new forms of employment, remote work, and the growing role of socially oriented motives. It is determined that under martial law, motives related to safety, preservation of life, support of mental health, social justice, stable employment, and trust in management become especially important.
The dissertation substantiates the relationship between employee motivation and labor management, remuneration, social and labor relations, corporate culture, and the development strategy of agricultural enterprises. It is proved that the material basis of the motivational mechanism is productive labor, an adequate level of wages, a system of allowances, compensation, bonuses, and social packages. At the same time, it is emphasized that under conditions of limited financial resources, moral-psychological and socially practical incentives become increasingly important, including public recognition of employees, team support, assistance during crisis situations, the development of corporate solidarity, and the social responsibility of enterprises.
The study evaluates the efficiency of agricultural enterprises as a prerequisite for the formation of a motivational mechanism and analyzes the dynamics of wages, social payments, working conditions, personnel policy, and employee satisfaction. It is established that despite significant losses suffered by the agricultural sector as a result of the war, agricultural enterprises have preserved their important role in ensuring food security, while wage growth indicates the strengthening of material motivation amid labor shortages. At the same time, reserves for improving the effectiveness of the motivational mechanism have been identified, particularly in the areas of social packages, working conditions, professional development, corporate culture, and dialogue between employees and management.
The practical significance of the research results lies in the development of directions for improving the motivational mechanism of agricultural enterprises through increasing wages, expanding social guarantees, introducing alternative social packages, developing personnel planning, training and retraining employees, digitalizing production and management processes, and improving working conditions and occupational safety. It is proposed that the development of the motivational mechanism should be carried out in accordance with the types of managerial influence: employee self-motivation, enterprise management, external state regulation, and institutional support.
It is concluded that an effective motivational mechanism of agricultural enterprises under conditions of uncertainty should combine material-economic, moral-psychological, social, innovative, and organizational-managerial components. Its development will contribute to increasing labor productivity, retaining qualified personnel, strengthening the financial and economic stability of agricultural enterprises, forming fair social and labor relations, and ensuring the competitiveness of Ukraine’s agricultural sector under martial law and during post-war recovery.
Keywords: motivational mechanism, agricultural enterprises, employee motivation, wages, social package, corporate culture, personnel policy, labor productivity, conditions of uncertainty, martial law.
