Based on survey data, collected in 2021, from 266 respondents (171 from Hungary and
95 from Moldova), this research utilizes statistical methods, including the Mann-Whitney
U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc analysis, to examine variations
across countries, generations, sectors, and organizational sizes.The results show
no significant differences between Hungary and Moldova in the three human capital
dimensions - Knowledge, Skills, and Competency - or job satisfaction, indicating the
universal relevance of these factors across diverse socio-economic contexts. However,
in Moldova, generational differences were observed in Competency levels, with Generation
Z scoring lower than older cohorts, while no generational differences were found in
Hungary. Sectoral analysis revealed higher job satisfaction among private-sector employees
in Hungary compared to the public sector, whereas no such differences were evident
in Moldova.Organizational size emerged as a significant factor influencing both human
capital dimensions and job satisfaction in both countries. Micro-sized organizations
reported the lowest scores, particularly in Moldova, while large organizations in
Hungary showed higher levels of satisfaction, driven by better pay, benefits, and
working conditions.The study underscores the importance of targeted interventions,
such as skills development programs, reforms in the public sector, and tailored support
for micro-sized organizations, to enhance employee satisfaction and optimize human
capital utilization. These findings offer valuable insights into the relationship
between human capital and job satisfaction in transition economies, providing actionable
recommendations for policymakers and organizational leaders.
