Findings
HR actors
The prime HR actors in resorts in the Maldives are the MT, which includes owners,
senior managers (e.g. GMs), HR and line managers. Resorts operate as strategic
business units of their respective parent companies, and resort MTs have relatively
extensive operational freedom.
The role of HR managers
HR managers in most of the resorts in the sample play a key role in decision
making in their respective resorts. For example, the HR director of Resort A is in
control of HRM at the resort level. In Resort B, the HR director sits in the seniorMTand
is responsible for making HR policies and procedures. The HR manager of Resort C is
among the most senior five managers, and thus is involved in all decision making at
the resort level. However, policies on key HR functions that involve finance are made
by the corporate office in Male´ (the capital island of the Maldives). Thus, the main task
of the HR department is day-to-day operational problem solving, and making sure
employment rules and procedures are followed correctly. The assistant HR manager is
the head of the HR department in Resort D. He is the only HR staff in the resort and is
a member of the resort’s MT. Observations similar to those in Resort C were made
regarding Resort D’s HR decision making. As the assistant HR manager noted: