Human Resource practices of luxury hotels in Greece
Dimitriou, Spyridon (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202504176943
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202504176943
Tiivistelmä
Human resource (HR) practices have long been a subject of extensive discussion and, in recent years, have become an increasingly prominent focus across organizations. Beyond competitive salaries, employees today prioritize a work environment that fosters well-being, professional growth, and an enhanced overall work experience.
The objective of this thesis is to examine the evolving human resource (HR) practices implemented in Greece’s expanding luxury hotel sector. The literature review provides a theoretical foundation by presenting established HR theories and exploring strategies that organizations employ to motivate and retain employees. These academic perspectives, which have remained relevant in recent years, enhance the validity of this research by informing its structure and framework. The thesis also places particular emphasis on analyzing the impact of international luxury hotel brands that have recently entered the Greek hospitality market, including Four Seasons, One&Only Resorts, and Hilton. By examining the HR practices implemented by these hotels, the study aims to assess their impact on the local industry and explore how they have contributed to the evolution and refinement of HR strategies within the Greek hospitality sector. Based on these theoretical insights, the author’s framework enables a more focused and systematic investigation into the research topic. This study employs a qualitative research approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews as the primary method of data collection. For data analysis, the author employs a three-tiered analytical framework, which facilitates a structured breakdown of the qualitative findings. The findings of the thesis indicate a significant advancement in HR practices across all primary HR functions — recruitment, training and development, employee rewards, and well-being initiatives — since the emergence and expansion of luxury hotels in the Greek market. Additionally, the study identifies noteworthy HR initiatives currently implemented within Greek luxury hotels.
The insights derived from this research contribute to the existing body of knowledge on HR practices in luxury hospitality and provide a valuable foundation for future studies.
The thesis was completed over seven months.
The objective of this thesis is to examine the evolving human resource (HR) practices implemented in Greece’s expanding luxury hotel sector. The literature review provides a theoretical foundation by presenting established HR theories and exploring strategies that organizations employ to motivate and retain employees. These academic perspectives, which have remained relevant in recent years, enhance the validity of this research by informing its structure and framework. The thesis also places particular emphasis on analyzing the impact of international luxury hotel brands that have recently entered the Greek hospitality market, including Four Seasons, One&Only Resorts, and Hilton. By examining the HR practices implemented by these hotels, the study aims to assess their impact on the local industry and explore how they have contributed to the evolution and refinement of HR strategies within the Greek hospitality sector. Based on these theoretical insights, the author’s framework enables a more focused and systematic investigation into the research topic. This study employs a qualitative research approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews as the primary method of data collection. For data analysis, the author employs a three-tiered analytical framework, which facilitates a structured breakdown of the qualitative findings. The findings of the thesis indicate a significant advancement in HR practices across all primary HR functions — recruitment, training and development, employee rewards, and well-being initiatives — since the emergence and expansion of luxury hotels in the Greek market. Additionally, the study identifies noteworthy HR initiatives currently implemented within Greek luxury hotels.
The insights derived from this research contribute to the existing body of knowledge on HR practices in luxury hospitality and provide a valuable foundation for future studies.
The thesis was completed over seven months.