engleski

THE HIDDEN POTENTIAL OF LEISURE TIME: BENEFITS OF SHORTER WORKING HOURS

The purpose of this paper is to re-examine the correctness of the current relationship between working and leisure time. For many economists, leisure is the period in which people consume and so consumption is the main aspect of free time they are studying. However, leisure is also the period in which people create. If we accept the thesis that the time that comes after the end of the working day has more significant economic implications than the consumption itself, we will have to consider other potential benefits associated with shorter working hours. Therefore, the paper seeks to explore contemporary perceptions about the effects of shorter working hours. Also, this paper tries to re-examine the correctness of the current relationship between work and time remaining after work. Emphasis has been put on the creative potential of free time, and in this regard, the directed development of hobby culture as a catalyst for entrepreneurship. The relationship between work and leisure goes beyond the issue of entrepreneurship development, so this paper questions the further consequences of shorter working hours. Contemporary knowledge suggests that shorter working hours could cause significant positive economic effects and lower social security costs. The liberation of leisure time and the development of hobby culture are also complementary to concepts of the knowledge-based economy and the concept of lifelong learning. Relevant research, for now, does not link the shorter working hours and employment growth, but there are serious indications of productivity growth. It is our opinion that it would be desirable, even in our economic environment, to look more in-depth into the effects of shorter working hours, both through social experiments and through scientific research.

entrepreneurship ; hobby culture ; leisure time ; time management

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