Cultural influence on human resource practice: empirical perspectives from Greek hospitality industry

Human resource practices (HRPs) are a key element of the modern hospitality industry as they contribute toward profitability and long-term sustainability. However, HRPs are influenced by a wide range of factors, with culture being a predominant influence. Corresponding literature proposes that both national and organisational cultures can influence HRPs in a number of ways. This paper makes an original contribution in that it develops a conceptual framework with which we investigate which of the key HRPs are supported more by specific corporate cultures within a given national cultural setting. Our conceptual framework is tested in two Greek hotels. Aspects of each hotel's HRPs and organisational culture are identified and quantified. Interviews with top management provide clarifications on the topic, while a thematic qualitative data analysis confirms the link among the three variables (HRPs, organisational culture, and national culture). The paper concludes with two suppositions that connect the application of specific HRPs to certain corporate cultural orientations.