Mission impossible? Motivating hospitality managers in Cyprus
Journal
TOURISMOS: An International Multidisciplinary Journal of Tourism,
Date Issued
April 15, 2007
Author(s)
Abstract
The hospitality industry is renowned for its ‘pressure cooker’ environment of long
hours and high turnover, particularly among front line staff. However, there have
been relatively few investigations into the life of supervisors and managers in the
industry. Utilizing surveys, the study set out to identify the motivational factors
that directly impact on this category of employees. Factors such as appreciation,
interesting job, good working conditions, career opportunities and loyalty by the
organization were ranked as the top five motivators. The findings challenge a
long-standing perception of Cypriot hospitality stakeholders who suggest that
money is the major motivator. It was also found that the motivators are the same
irrespective of gender, and age. However, these are likely to change as one moves
within the management hierarchy. The findings are primarily intended for
companies within a Cyprus framework, and therefore the research is focused on
the needs for these organizations. However, there are likely to be parallels for
hospitality organizations outside Cyprus.
hours and high turnover, particularly among front line staff. However, there have
been relatively few investigations into the life of supervisors and managers in the
industry. Utilizing surveys, the study set out to identify the motivational factors
that directly impact on this category of employees. Factors such as appreciation,
interesting job, good working conditions, career opportunities and loyalty by the
organization were ranked as the top five motivators. The findings challenge a
long-standing perception of Cypriot hospitality stakeholders who suggest that
money is the major motivator. It was also found that the motivators are the same
irrespective of gender, and age. However, these are likely to change as one moves
within the management hierarchy. The findings are primarily intended for
companies within a Cyprus framework, and therefore the research is focused on
the needs for these organizations. However, there are likely to be parallels for
hospitality organizations outside Cyprus.