Decent work in hospitality: scale development and validation

Abstract

Decent work is a construct of growing interest in the hospitality sector. It is an important component of employee-focused, micro-level corporate social responsibility and a key element of a sustainable tourism agenda. In this study, we identify the domain and dimensions of this construct, merging objective and measurable work variables with the conditions of the tourism environment and job market, according to workers’ perceptions. This approach improves on previous aggregate perspectives that use applied and academic secondary information sources. Subsequently, a multidimensional, efficient measurement instrument of decent work in the hospitality sector is developed, identifying eight factors and demonstrating reliable and valid scores. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses show a good fit for the model. Interestingly, there are some factors that stand out as key features, such as an adequate income, stability and security in employment, issues related to health and safety at work as well as lifelong learning and professional development managed under equal opportunity conditions.