THE ROLE AND RELEVANCE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND ITS PRACTICES IN THE PORTUGUESE HOTEL INDUSTRY

Abstract

Purpose – Validation of the Human Resource Management (HRM) practices used by Portuguese hotels, their degree of importance, and the alignment between their strategic dimension and their operational implementation. Design – The study was developed using quantitative analysis, supported by a questionnaire shared with top managers of hotel companies in the Portuguese Hotels national register. Methodology – The HRM practices integrated in the study were the result of those identified in the literature review, the global HR barometer developed by the Michael Page company, and the HRM practices integrated in the Label Pro HR project, developed by the Mediterranean Federation from Human Resources in association with HRM Associations and European higher education institutions. Findings – In Portugal, HRM in the hotel industry is beginning to be understood as a way to achieve competitive advantage. 92,7% of the top managers in our sample reported that the existence of an HR department grants a competitive advantage. Recruitment and Selection, Training and Development, Performance management and evaluation, and Safety and Hygiene at Work are the most important HRM practices. We conclude that the characteristics of hotels (classification and size) are crucial for HRM, their organizational processes, and the strategic importance assigned to the function. Originality of the research – The study is innovative because it uses a questionnaire specifically designed for the study, and which considers a high number of HRM practices. The sample consists of 124 of the 1.515 registered hotels (8,2%).