The World Cup could be delivering an unexpected boost for the small/medium-sized business (SMB) sector across Europe. According to research across the region’s SMB community, more than half respondents claim to work more efficiently and effectively the morning after a national football victory. A victory for the Dutch or Spanish could be the most desirable for Europe.

The German's are of course likely to spoil this scenario!

The survey - - conducted during the Group Stages of the World Cup - - confirmed the UK and the Netherlands as generating the biggest victory boost with 63% and 62%, respectively, claiming higher levels of workplace efficiencies the morning after a victory. The majority of Germans, however, admitted to being less efficient the morning after a national victory (only 47% being more efficient), which could suggest that - -  in purely economic terms - - a victory for the Dutch or the Spanish (56% are more efficient) could be the most desirable World Cup outcome.

Maybe the German were the more honest respondents!

The survey was conducted amongst 300 SMB employees across Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK via IDG’s Partner Zone (21-25 June ’10). Research began amongst 1,674 working professionals aged between 18-65 across the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Greece, South Africa and Turkey by the independent Web research company, StrategyOne.

The survey was commissioned as part of HP’s ‘Laser Jet Pays You Back’ campaign, "highlighting the  - - often unacknowledged - -  value that HP’s LaserJet printing range has been bringing to SMBs across the globe for over 25 years."

Luis Casado, Marketing Director, LaserJet and Enterprise Solutions (LES), Imaging & Printing Group Europe, Middle East & Africa, explains that the World Cup can bring an unexpected boost to the workplace in terms of morale and commitment, especially where interested employees are able to organise their work around match screenings.

Cassado should be briefed on the Irish office booze-up on Friday evenings!

“The World Cup typically brings people together, even those without an interest in football at all; it’s clear that engaging in the event and capitalizing on this increased team spirit can only enhance the performance of a business both before and the morning following the game,” says Casado.

“As a Spaniard myself, I really hope that efficiencies the morning after continue to grow for at least another week!” he adds.

Would you get up the yard! We didn't come down in the last shower or up the river on a bike!

More on World Cup economics; Finfacts article; World Cup: A win for FIFA and likely loss for South Africa