An examination of socio-economic and socio-cultural factors among hotel personnel towards promoting employee well-being in the Philippines tourism and hospitality industry

Paper Details

Research Paper 04/11/2023
Views (1166) Download (91)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

An examination of socio-economic and socio-cultural factors among hotel personnel towards promoting employee well-being in the Philippines tourism and hospitality industry

Michael Bhobet B. Baluyot, Rodeliza A. Flores
Int. J. Biosci.23( 5), 88-100, November 2023.
Certificate: IJB 2023 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

Investments directed towards tourism development in a destination lead to the emergence of job openings for the local workforce, who subsequently secure employment in various establishments catering to tourists. This comprehensive study investigates the intricate relationship between socio-economic and socio-cultural factors and their impact on the well-being of 180 hotel employees within the dynamic tourism and hospitality sector.  This study employed a descriptive research method, complemented by a range of statistical tools, including Frequency Distribution, Weighted Mean, ANOVA, and Linear Regression Coefficient of Correlation. These tools have been chosen to gather comprehensive information about the current conditions experienced by hotel employees and the extent to which the tourism and hospitality industries have influenced their social and economic well-being. The research presents a well-balanced demographic profile of employees, highlighting their generally positive perceptions of their roles, albeit with opportunities for enhancing their sense of belonging. Crucially, the study uncovers that hotel employees strongly associate their work environment with social development, economic stability, and multiculturalism, all of which exhibit substantial positive correlations with their overall well-being. These findings underscore the significance of adopting a holistic approach to employee well-being within the industry. Practical recommendations emphasize fostering a sense of belonging, promoting continuous learning and adaptability, and ensuring competitive compensation packages. Furthermore, the industry is encouraged to actively promote diversity and cultural integration to create an inclusive workplace. From a theoretical perspective, this research contributes to the literature by emphasizing the multifaceted nature of employee well-being in the context of socio-economic and socio-cultural factors. Future research directions include exploring the long-term effects of well-being initiatives on retention and career progression and examining the impact of external factors on employee well-being. Ultimately, by implementing evidence-based policies and practices, the tourism and hospitality sector can cultivate a more satisfied and engaged workforce, leading to its growth and success while positively influencing broader social and economic development.

VIEWS 484

Acejo IC. 2004. Tourism and socio-economic development in Boracay, Philippines. International Journal of Tourism Research 6(1), 15-28.

Bass BM, Riggio RE. 2006. Transformational leadership (2nd ed.). Psychology Press.

Butler R, Russell R. 2010. Tourism and recreational development. Routledge.

Coltman T. 1996. Tourism, recreation and regional development: Perspectives from France. Tourism Management 17(1), 57-65.

Cox T. 1994. Cultural diversity in organizations: Theory, research, and practice. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

Cox T, Blake S. 1991. Managing cultural diversity: Implications for organizational competitiveness. Academy of Management Executive 5(3), 45-56.

Cruz L. 1999. Building knowledge-based local economies: Lessons from Brazil. World Bank Publications.

Deng J, Ritchie JRB. 2015. Examining the role of front-line employee proactivity in innovation generation: A social exchange perspective. Tourism Management 47, 1-13.

Dutton JE, Roberts LM, Bednar J. 2010. Pathways for positive identity construction at work: Four types of positive identity and the building of social resources. Academy of Management Review 35(2), 265-293.

Eisenbeiss SA, Knippenberg DV, Boerner S. 2008. Transformational leadership and team innovation: Integrating team climate principles. Journal of Applied Psychology 93(6), 1438-1446.

Gil MA. 2011. Assessing the social impact of tourism: A case study of Puerto Rico. Tourism Management 32(2), 317-326.

Gill MA. 2010. Tourism as a factor of socio-economic development: The Georgian case. Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series 13(13), 41-53.

Hall CM. 2015. Tourism and regional development: New pathways. Routledge.

Hoffman J. 2010. Social development: Theory and practice. Sage Publications.

Judge TA, Bono JE. 2001. Relationship of core self-evaluations traits–self-esteem, generalized self-efficacy, locus of control, and emotional stability–with job satisfaction and job performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology 86(1), 80-92.

Kang MJ, Raghuram S, Valenti F. 2020. Income, job satisfaction, and well-being: An empirical analysis. Journal of Happiness Studies 21(1), 101-121.

Kawachi I, Berkman LF. 2001. Social ties and mental health. Journal of Urban Health 78(3), 458-467.

Lyubomirsky S, King L, Diener E. 2005. The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success? Psychological Bulletin 131(6), 803-855.

Maslow AH. 1943. A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review 50(4), 370-396.

Mitchell R, Ashley C. 2006. Tourism and poverty reduction: Pathways to prosperity. Earthscan.

Page SJ. 2017. Tourism management: An introduction. Routledge.

Robbins SP, Coulter M, DeCenzo DA. 2017. Fundamentals of management. Pearson.

Robinson M. 1999. Marketing destinations for meetings and conventions. Routledge.

Sethi MR. 2010. Economic and social impact of tourism on local communities in Nepal. Annals of Tourism Research 37(2), 528-548.

Sharpley R. 2015. Tourism and development. Routledge.

Sharpley R, Telfer DJ. 2015. Tourism and development in the developing world. Routledge.

Smith MK. 2017. Issues in cultural tourism studies. Routledge.

Smith MK, Jenner P. 2017. Tourism employment: Analysis and planning. Routledge.

Swarbrooke J, Horner S. 2012. Business travel and tourism. Routledge.

World Tourism Organization (WTO). (2022). Tourism and regional development. Retrieved from https://www.unwto.org/tourism-and-regional-development