Demand fluctuations, labour flexibility and productivity

Sangwon Park, Natina Yaduma, Andrew J. Lockwood and Allan M. Williams

Annals of Tourism Research, 2016, vol. 59, issue C, 93-112

Abstract: There is a dearth of studies analysing the relationship between demand variations, productivity and flexible working in the face of variable demand challenges confronting the tourism industry. This investigation seeks to inform important firm and industry specific labour management strategies for improving productivity. Using data for 43 medium sized hotels owned by two chains in the UK, this paper analyses productivity in relation to external (demand variations) and internal (labour management) conditions over an 8year period from 2005 to 2013. The paper’s findings show that demand variation is the principal determinant of productivity. Numerical, functional and zero-contract hour flexible labour management also contributes to labour productivity. Significant differences in findings between establishments and departments indicate the importance of disaggregated analyses.

Keywords: Labour productivity; Demand variations; Work flexibility; Economic recession; Seasonality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:anture:v:59:y:2016:i:c:p:93-112

DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2016.04.006

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