Employees’ Perceptions of Side Business and Its Possible Impact on Productivity at Work
Ceesay, Binta Jallow (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202601151345
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202601151345
Tiivistelmä
The study was conducted to examine how employees perceive side hustles and the extent to which these activities influence their primary employment. This phenomenon has attracted increasing scholarly attention, particularly regarding its implications for productivity in primary employment. The study was conducted to contribute to this growing body of literature by investigating how employees in the Gambia perceived the impact of their side hustles on the performance in their main jobs. The research focused on employees in the Greater Banjul area, with particular emphasis on the education, healthcare, and telecommunication sectors.
Survey data was collected from a selected sector targets with sample size of 100 employees, and an ordered logistic regression model was applied to estimate the determinants of employee perceptions. 68 responded and the results emphasized that side hustles were generally viewed as beneficial for financial stability, personal growth, and skill development. Respondents highlighted that side hustles often enhanced creativity and motivation, while also providing a sense of independence. However, concerns were raised regarding time management, fatigue, and reduced concentration on primary job responsibilities. The regression analysis revealed sectoral differences in perceptions, with employees in education and healthcare more likely to report challenges in balancing dual commitments compared to those in telecommunications.
Based on the results, side hustles were perceived as both opportunities and challenges. Employees concluded that the benefits could outweigh the drawbacks when side hustles were managed responsibly and aligned with personal and professional goals. According to the findings, organizations were advised to acknowledge the prevalence of side hustles and to develop policies that support employee autonomy while safeguarding workplace productivity. The conclusions suggest that side hustles are reshaping traditional employment dynamics in the Gambian context and require thoughtful organizational responses to ensure that both employees and employers’ benefit from this evolving work culture.
Survey data was collected from a selected sector targets with sample size of 100 employees, and an ordered logistic regression model was applied to estimate the determinants of employee perceptions. 68 responded and the results emphasized that side hustles were generally viewed as beneficial for financial stability, personal growth, and skill development. Respondents highlighted that side hustles often enhanced creativity and motivation, while also providing a sense of independence. However, concerns were raised regarding time management, fatigue, and reduced concentration on primary job responsibilities. The regression analysis revealed sectoral differences in perceptions, with employees in education and healthcare more likely to report challenges in balancing dual commitments compared to those in telecommunications.
Based on the results, side hustles were perceived as both opportunities and challenges. Employees concluded that the benefits could outweigh the drawbacks when side hustles were managed responsibly and aligned with personal and professional goals. According to the findings, organizations were advised to acknowledge the prevalence of side hustles and to develop policies that support employee autonomy while safeguarding workplace productivity. The conclusions suggest that side hustles are reshaping traditional employment dynamics in the Gambian context and require thoughtful organizational responses to ensure that both employees and employers’ benefit from this evolving work culture.