Human factors in the design of revenue management systems in multinational corporations

Abstract

Drawing on previous works in the knowledge management literature, this paper aims at highlighting a number of human-related factors that have to be taken into consideration in the design of an efficient Revenue Management (RM) system. These factors are identified by considering the case of the design of an RM system in a local subsidiary of Multinational Corporation (MNCs). In addition to the characteristics of knowledge to be implemented in the system, it is shown that the design success will be affected by three sets of human-related factors: abilities and motivation of international staff, abilities and motivation of local employees and the relationship between local and international staff. The paper concludes with a discussion on one of the main challenges facing the researchers attempting to help companies design workable and efficient RM systems.