Early evidence of leadership skills and strategies in managing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the hospitality industry
Cross Cultural & Strategic Management
ISSN: 2059-5794
Article publication date: 22 February 2022
Issue publication date: 18 July 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Given the critical consequences of the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis worldwide, displaying good leadership has been of utmost importance. Hospitality has been among the industries that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic, and it requires exceptional leadership skills unique to this crisis and sector. This multi-country study aims to contribute to the understanding of some of the most important skills and strategies that leaders in the hospitality industry may use to navigate the COVID-19 crisis effectively.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper employs a qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with managers of international hospitality groups or local hotel chains in seven different countries.
Findings
The results show that positive thinking, decision-making, flexibility, divergent thinking, trust-building and communication skills have a positive impact on leadership effectiveness in the hospitality sector during the pandemic. Besides, saving payroll costs, elaborating contingency plans and leveraging from partners' strengths are highlighted as crucial strategies.
Practical implications
This paper provides hospitality professionals across borders preliminary insights and recommendations to manage the COVID-19 crisis.
Originality/value
Especially being one of the sectors that have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 crisis worldwide, the dynamics and leadership requirements of the hospitality sector need further attention. The findings contribute to the literature by illustrating how managers have navigated the initial stages of the crisis in the under-researched hotel sector, and also by gathering evidence about the sector dynamics related to the early stages of this crisis.
Keywords
Citation
Hahang, E., Bayraktar, S. and Jiménez, A. (2022), "Early evidence of leadership skills and strategies in managing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the hospitality industry", Cross Cultural & Strategic Management, Vol. 29 No. 3, pp. 493-515. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCSM-03-2021-0041
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited