employee retention in the B2B of Austrian HVAC trade: Impact leadership strategies on segment trade

his book examines the influence of leadership strategies on employee retention in the Austrian B2B HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Sanitary) trade. In light of the skilled labor shortage, the long-term retention of experienced employees is considered a central competitive factor. The aim is to demonstrate how different leadership approaches affect satisfaction and retention within legal and collective bargaining frameworks.The theoretical part covers leadership, motivation, and retention theories, as well as industry-specific characteristics. The empirical part is based on qualitative interviews with managers and long-term employees, analyzed according to Mayring's method.The results show that transformational, participative, and agile leadership, combined with appreciative communication, development opportunities, flexibility, and transparent structures, significantly strengthens employee retention. The work fills a research gap in the technical B2B trade and provides practical impulses for sustainable human resources strategies.