Title: Human resource management - practices, performance and strategy in the Italian hotel industry

Authors: Stefano Bresciani; Alkis Thrassou; Demetris Vrontis

Addresses: Researcher of Innovation Management, Faculty of Economics, University of Torino, Corso Unione Sovietica, 218 bis, 10134 Torino, Italy. ' School of Business, University of Nicosia, 46 Makedonitissas Ave., P.O. Box 24005, 1700 Nicosia, Cyprus. ' School of Business, University of Nicosia, 46 Makedonitissas Ave., P.O. Box 24005, 1700 Nicosia, Cyprus

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to study the relationship between human resource management (HRM) and organisational performance in the Italian hospitality sector. In particular, it investigates the extent of adoption of HRM practices, the existence of formal HR strategies, and the degree of development of the HR function, in the Italian hotel industry. The findings aim to verify whether the effectiveness of HRM is contingent upon the approach to adopted business strategies and whether the hotels, which strategically formally apply HRM practices, outperform those with HRM practices outside a formal organisational strategy. The research finally expands on the underlying factors and managerial implications of the findings to conceptually interpret phenomena and prescribe actions.

Keywords: hospitality industry; hotels; Italy; human resource strategies; marketing; business strategies; formal strategies; organisational strategies; underlying factors; managerial implications; entrepreneurship; entrepreneurs; entrepreneurialism; sustainable development; sustainability; innovation; human resource management; HRM; performance enhancement; organisational performance.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2012.050297

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2012 Vol.8 No.4, pp.405 - 423

Published online: 18 Sep 2014 *

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