Strategic Choice and Organisational Context in
HRM in the UK Hotel Sector
NICK WILTON
Human resource management in the UK hotel industry is typically held to
be informal, instrumental and associated with poor employment
relations. Some studies, however, have identified incidences of more
formal, high-commitment HRM indicating greater diversity in employment
practices. Using original research undertaken in south-west
England, this article examines this diversity and the influence of organisational
context in the formation of HRM strategy. By identifying patterns of
employee relations practice it is possible to examine the influence of
market factors and establishment size and the extent to which there is
scope for strategic choice in HRM. The research indicates that whilst
larger hotels operating in stable product markets might be more likely
to display formal or strategic approaches to employee relations compared
to the industry as a whole, this sub-sector still appears significantly
divided in the extent to which managers feel able, willing or compelled
to invest in associated practices.