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Antecedents of labor shortage in the rural hospitality industry: a comparative study of employees and employers
Innerhofer, Johanna Nasta, Luigi
Zehrer, Anita
Innerhofer, Johanna
Zehrer, Anita
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Abstract
Purpose
Although the role of human capital in the hospitality sector is critical, the industry faces challenges in attracting workers with a poor industry image frequently mentioned regarding labor shortages. This research paper attempts to investigate the factors influencing labor shortages by presenting the perspectives of employees and employers.
Design/methodology/approach
Precisely 232 rural hospitality industry employees (n = 128) and employers (n = 104) in Northern Italy were surveyed using a written close-ended online survey and a quantitative research design as part of a convenience sampling approach. For hypotheses testing, Spearman's rho was used.
Findings
A relationship between the shortage of professional workers and a variety of factors was found, including professional, digital, social and green skills, industry-intrinsic characteristics and symbolic image attributes of the industry. The findings show that some factors are more important for employees, while others are more significant for employers.
Practical implications
This study demonstrates several practical implications for the hospitality sector by addressing the under-researched stakeholder group of existing hospitality employees, e.g. improving working conditions, reduction of manual operations through digital technologies, realistic career planning, employer branding, identification of skill deficiencies and provision of specialized trainings.
Originality/value
Most research on labor shortages in the hospitality industry has focused on the perspective of either employees or employers. This study compares both perspectives, including the industry image, to gain a realistic picture of the relevant factors for a rural tourism destination in Northern Italy.
Description
Date
2022
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Keywords
Industry image, Employer image, Skill shortages, Hospitality industry, Labor shortages
Citation
Innerhofer, Johanna, Luigi Nasta, and Anita Zehrer. “Antecedents of Labor Shortage in the Rural Hospitality Industry: A Comparative Study of Employees and Employers.” Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights 7 (1): 28–55. 2022.