Strategic HRM and the gendered division of labour in the hotel industry

Abstract

Numerous studies have documented the ways in which work is structured along gender lines. Predominantly such investigations have reported on the inequity of the sexual division of labour and have argued that such gender segregation operates in favour of males, with the majority of female economic activity concentrated in the low‐paid areas of the service sector. Further research has explored the sexual stereotyping of the service encounter, and in particular the personification of the service provider epitomizing the service to the consumer. Presents the findings of an in‐depth case study conducted within the hotel industry designed to examine the views of hotel workers in a large hotel about the sexual division of labour and sexual stereotyping of individuals within their organization. Explores the origins of these gender divisions within the hotel industry, and locates the prevalence of such an imbalance firmly in the sphere of overall business strategy and hence the human resource strategy of the organization. Discusses the conclusions in terms of the relationship between equal opportunities policies and strategic HRM.