Strategic human resources management research in hospitality and tourism: A review of current literature and suggestions for the future

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the strategic human resources management (HRM) literature from the points of view of both general management and hospitality and tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a critical, qualitative and comparative review of the strategic HRM research literature in the fields of general management and hospitality and tourism, providing insights into emerging research trends and pointing to the gaps in the literature.

Findings

The results of the review showed six streams of research from the hospitality and tourism literature: human capital and firm performance, high-performance HRM practices and performance, international/global issues and strategic HRM, individual HRM practices and performance, qualitative reviews of the hospitality and tourism HRM literature and country-specific strategic HRM. This review also points to the gaps between the two bodies of literature and gives recommendations for future research.

Practical implications

The current conceptual model provides a useful framework for examining how strategic HRM practices impact firm performance through macro (organizational) and micro (individual) levels. The current review illustrates the important role that frontline managers have in delivering HRM practices.

Originality/value

This review provides a conceptual model for future research and practical implications.

Citation

Madera, J.M., Dawson, M., Guchait, P. and Belarmino, A.M. (2017), "Strategic human resources management research in hospitality and tourism: A review of current literature and suggestions for the future", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 48-67. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-02-2016-0051