Greek Hotel Research Articles

Optimal micro-pump-storage system for the average Greek hotel with PV generation

In this paper, a modern micro-scale pumped hydro storage system that is specifically designed to operate in coordination with photovoltaics installed at the roof of an average Greek hotel is presented. The fictitious hotel chosen as a case study, displays the energy profile of an average sea-side hotel around the Mediterranean Sea, while photovoltaics’ energy generation is assumed to follow the typical production profile of such sites. Pumped hydro storage and photovoltaic generation, size and cost have been appropriately modeled so that they realistically simulate their operational scheme, while also considering the spatial and technical characteristics and limitations of such projects. Results derived from the implementation of such a scheme into the Average Greek hotel demonstrated significant monetary benefits, accompanied with a substantial net annual profit and low payback period of the investment.

Investment and depreciation tax shield under spatial competition: The case of the Greek hotel sector

Investment and depreciation tax shield under spatial competition: The case of the Greek hotel sector

Determinants of Accounting Information Systems Success: The Case of the Greek Hotel Industry

Accounting information systems (AIS) are primarily designed to convert financial data into usable financial and management information. Their effectiveness or success, which shows the extent to which the requirements of their users are satisfied, is an essential factor in decision making. Previous research has found that user satisfaction is a particularly widely utilized and indicative measure of information system (IS) success. In this setting, the success or failure of an AIS is a crucial issue for all companies since a particular IS cannot be appropriate for everyone, especially in the case of accounting software that has to satisfy the requirements of its users. Furthermore, given the hotel industry’s information-intensive and competitive character, the AIS user satisfaction of hotel financial and accounting executives can be vital to their performance and the hotel’s operational efficiency. The aim of this research is to investigate a number of factors that influence AIS user satisfaction in the post-implementation period in the case of the Greek hotel industry. The findings of our empirical study show that system quality, information quality, system use, service quality, firm’s size, years of system use, information technology integration, and organic structure have a positive effect on user satisfaction with AIS. On the contrary, statistical analysis shows that users’ level of education is negatively correlated with AIS user satisfaction. Finally, the current research findings contribute theoretically to the IS and accounting literature, and they also shine a light on the managerial implications for IS developers, hotel managers, and financial executives.

Key Performance Indicators and Data Envelopment Analysis in Greek Tourism: A Strategic Planning Tool for Destinations and DMMOs

Over the years, the tourism sector has constantly been a driving force in strengthening the Greek economy. Therefore, being capable of leveraging a tourism business’s performance can be of great importance in many aspects for destinations and destination management and marketing organizations (DMMOs). For this very purpose, this study’s methodology consists of a combined application of the key performance indicators and data envelopment analysis. The research conducted is quantitative, aiming to analyze the efficiency of the Greek hotels by region and determine the effective ones, as well as the strategic and managerial changes which should be considered by the non-effective. As a result, it shall become possible for each set of hotels to know the ideal turnover and the tourism nights spent that they should achieve, based on their current capacity in terms of beds and employees. Ultimately, this process could play a pivotal role in a region’s strategic planning, both from a resource management perspective, as well as in establishing an effective, measurable strategy that can be implemented by regional policy makers and destination managers in a real-time benchmarking process.

Total Quality Management in Sport Tourism and the Hospitality Industry: The Case of Greek Luxury Resorts with Sport and Recreation Facilities and Services

Total quality management (TQM) refers to a way of management wherein senior management is committed to guiding employees in continuous improvement in all processes, services and products, with the ultimate goal of satisfying customer requirements and expectations. The purpose of the present study was to examine the impact of leadership, organization culture (OC), customer-oriented strategy (COS) and human resource empowerment (HRE) on innovation, as well as the effect of innovation on TQM for sustainable development in Greek luxury resorts with sport and recreation facilities and services. A quantitative 5-point Likert scale method was utilized for the purpose of this study, and an online questionnaire survey was adopted for the data collection. To evaluate the resilience of our model, we conducted structural equation modeling using SPSS and AMOS software. Varimax rotation with Kaiser normalization was utilized to enhance the robustness of the analysis. A total of 895 questionnaires were successfully gathered from 454 luxury resorts. This study validated that leadership, OC, COS and HRE positively impact the luxury resorts’ innovation and thus support that innovation had a significant impact on TQM, which in turn leads to their sustainability and effectiveness and is supported by the resource-based view (RBV). Furthermore, this study is the first within the Greek hotel industry that jointly estimates the influence of leadership, OC, COS and HRE on innovation and its concurrent effect on TQM for sustainable development, which has not been methodologically considered before and provides useful policy implications for managers within the hotel industry.

Competitive strategies in the tourist hotel industry: Evidence from Greece

The tourism sector in Greece has shown very important points of recovery, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, being one of the steam engines of the Greek economy, contributing to its all-important economic terms and parameters. The above elements make the sector highly competitive, and the assessment of its competitiveness as well as the choice of the appropriate development strategies is a matter of particular importance (Chikan et al., 2022). On the other hand, competitiveness is a wide concept which can be estimated either using the Porter’s Diamond Model or financial indexes (Fischer & Schornberg, 2007). Taking this into account, the purpose of this paper is to assess the competitiveness of three of the largest Greek hotel units in economic terms with the use of financial indexes, as well as to determine the most suitable strategies for their further development, trying to fill the existing gap in the literature for the tourism hotel sector in Greece. The main results show that improving indicators such as liquidity and maintaining a good capital structure contribute to maintaining the sector’s sustainability and its further development holding special importance both for academics and policymakers taking into consideration the contribution of tourism to the whole Greek economy.

Conference Tourism: Exploring Economic Prospects in the Post-COVID-19 Era—Qualitative Research on Greek Hotel Executives

As is widely known, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected tourism and related activities globally. Due to the restrictive measures implemented for gatherings and movements in order to limit the spread of the virus, conferences and conference tourism received a strong shock since the majority of them were canceled or postponed. At the end of the first quarter year, many countries, like Greece, started organizing digital and hybrid conferences. Therefore, there was a reset in the conference industry as the time when travel was limited allowed the organizers, as well as others involved, to work remotely. The present study aims to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on conference tourism and, more specifically, how hotels and their conference facilities were affected. In addition, the pursuit of potential opportunities through the ‘New technologies’ adopted, as well as the shaping of the industry in the post-COVID-19 era, are studied. This is achieved through a qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews with 27 executives of hotels that offer conference facilities in Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion and Rhodes in order to examine whether this specific sector has adapted to the new reality. The analysis of data in this form of research revealed that the pandemic had benefited conferences to some extent, but only under certain circumstances.

Transformational leadership and HRM: study shows influence on employee productivity in the Greek hotel sector during the Covid19 pandemic

PurposeThis paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsA study revealed the mechanism through which Transformational Leadership (TFL) impacts employee productivity: The authors said TFL first impacts employee “trust” towards managers, helping to create a “social climate” that directly impacts work engagement. Employees respond by increasing their productivity and showing “extra-role customer service” behaviour.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

LGBTQI+ Friendly Hotels: Evaluating the Case of Greek Hotels

SummaryAccording to the relevant literature, LGBTQI+ tourists travel for a variety of reasons, exactly like all tourists. However, the need to escape to a safe destination is a top priority within a heteronormative environment, and sexual orientation is a determinant factor for holiday choices. Research on LGBTQI+ tourism has been mainly focused on revealing LGBTQI+ travellers’ motives, whereas tourism professionals in this segment have been scarcely approached. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted with hotel managers of gay-friendly hotels in Greece, to provide an insight on their point of view. The interviews were structured around three main pillars: a) hotel managers’ perceptions regarding LGBTQI+ demand, b) services – experiences offered to LGBTQI+ hotel guests and c) marketing strategies to target LGBTQI+ guests. Results indicate that LGBTQI+ travellers pay great attention to the gay-friendliness of hotel and in-room services. Marketing activities for the LGBTQI+ segment are rarely part of a coherent strategy and mainly include occasional activities in order to expand the hotels’ clientele. Although the attitude of the hotel staff is a key point, personnel training on catering for LGBTQI+ travellers, diversity and sensitivity are absent.© The Authors 2023Improved version of posting: “Sexual Identity and Gay-Friendly Hotels. The Managers’ Point Of View.” presented at APTA 2022, KOREA, JEJU 180 6st-8th July 2022

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Training Methods on the Performance of Human Resources in Greek Hotel Businesses

The training of human resources in hotel businesses is very important since it is directly related to creating a competitive advantage by improving its performance. The main research objective of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of training methods with regard to the improvement of human resources performance in hotel businesses. Field research was conducted by collecting quantitative data from 17/3/2022 to 17/5/2022 in Greece through a questionnaire from a "convenience" sample of 135 hotel employees. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to analyze the collected data statistically. The improvement of the performance of the human resources of a hotel is related to a mixture of training methods that favor formal and informal learning: Case Studies, Business Games and Mentoring. The results of this study have led a) to the creation and validation of four new Likert-type scales that other researchers in the future can use, and b) to the creation of specialized mixtures of training methods that hotel managers can apply to improve the performance of human resources in specific fields of interest.

Approaches to Conflict in 5* Hospitality Industry in Greece Through a Positive Psychotherapy Perspective

The purpose of the current study was to understand the nature of the conflict reactions that employees of 5* Greek hotels that belong to the higher management levels tend to present. The research aimed to find out if there is any connection between special primary and secondary capacities described in PPT and conflict reactions in people who have higher management roles.

The effects of transformational leadership and HRM practices on employee outcomes and productivity in the Greek hospitality industry during COVID-19

PurposeThe present study investigates the role of “Transformational Leadership (TFL)” on employees' work engagement and its effect on their “Productivity” and “Extra-Role Customer Service” behaviors. In doing so, the present study examines the mediating role of two crucial variables, namely the creation of a “Service Climate” and the role of “Trust” that employees show toward their managers. Last but not least, this research examines the potential role of High Performance Work Systems (HPWS) as a moderator.Design/methodology/approachPartial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used on a sample of 459 customer-contact employees across thirteen 4- and 5-star Greek hotel organizations.FindingsThis study reveals the mechanism through which “TFL” impacts employees' productivity. Specifically, “TFL” first impacts employees' “Trust” toward their managers and helps toward creating a “Social Climate”. In turn, both “Trust” and “Social Climate” directly impact employees' “Work Engagement” who respond by showing increased “Productivity” and by exhibiting “Extra-Role Customer Service” behaviors. Nevertheless, the role of HPWS as a moderator was not confirmed.Practical implicationsThe present study underscores the need for hotels' management to pay the required attention on creating an employment relationship based on “Trust”, as well as on creating a “Service Climate” in order for their employees to become work engaged and highly productive.Originality/valueThis is among the first studies that examine the “TFL” effects on employee outcomes in the Tourism and Hospitality sector, during the COVID-19 era.

The Concept and the measurement of Strategic Leadership. The case of Greek Hotel Employees with the use of Exploratory Factor Analysis

Over the past two decades, scholars and practitioners are interested in the term of Strategic Leadership. Strategic Leadership is a leader’s ability to anticipate, envision, being flexible, and enable others to make strategic changes as required. There are several researches connecting strategic leadership with various variables of the Human Resource Management (HRM), such as: work stress, (Baysak and Yener, 2015), work commitment (Chiang & Wang, 2012) and role conflict (Palomino & Frezatti, 2016). Hence, it is very important to develop a reliable measurement tool which will explore the nature of strategic leadership and map its dimensions. Barbara Davies & Brent Davies (2004) have already developed a model which consists of both the organizational abilities and the individual characteristics of strategic leaders. The main purpose of the current paper is to study the application of Davies & Davies model (2004) in the hospitality industry. More thoroughly, the empirical data used on this paper has derived by a research consisted of 372 participants who work on Greek Hotel Companies. The method used to analyze the connections between the items of the strategic leadership was factor analysis. The findings support that Davies & Davies model (2004) can be used as a measurement tool in the hospitality industry. Thus, the current paper aims to contribute to the comprehension of the nature of strategic leadership on the hospitality and tourism industry, and trigger future empirical research in the field.

The impact of mentoring on work-family balance and job satisfaction in the hotel industry in Greece: The mediating role of working environment and flexibility

This study investigate the relationship between work-family balance (WFB), job satisfaction and mentoring in the Greek hotel organizations. In particular, it investigates how mentoring contribute to career and family life outcomes with an additional emphasis on the role of the working environment (work demands, time & schedule flexibility). The findings indicate that both job satisfaction and career mentoring are positively related to WFB, while socioemotional mentoring is negatively related. Furthermore, work demands and flexibility are negatively associated both with WFB and job satisfaction. This study could turn the attention of hotel organizations to provide more mentoring and formal flexible arrangements.

Greek Hotels’ Web Traffic: A Comparative Study Based on Search Engine Optimization Techniques and Technologies

Currently, websites rely heavily on digital marketing, notably search engine optimization (SEO), for success. In the COVID-19 era, hotels have to employ every feasible means to stay afloat despite the bleak business and travel conditions. Many of them have already invested in digital marketing, especially SEO, by applying SEO techniques to their websites to attract more visitors and bookings. This research examines hotels’ websites regarding the SEO techniques they have applied and their impact on web traffic to their websites. During a one-year observation period (February 2021–February 2022), we collected and analyzed web data from 309 top-listed Greek hotels using our own-developed software. By creating and following a specific methodology, we came to valuable conclusions. In addition, we used fuzzy cognitive mapping to develop an exploratory model. From the descriptive analysis and technical SEO perspective, we have concluded that hotels websites’ traffic and, by extension, their long-term viability are inextricably intertwined. Existing and future SEO marketers may benefit from our research’s time-accurate insights on hotel SEO tactics.

Swimming Pool Regulations in the COVID-19 Era: Assessing Acceptability and Compliance in Greek Hotels in Two Consecutive Summer Touristic Periods

The COVID-19 pandemic has urged many countries to issue new regulations to assure safety in pool environments. Greece enforced stricter requirements in 2020 and 2021 for hotel pools. However, even though regulations are important, they can only be effective when accepted by the pool managers and users. The aim of this study was to (a) assess the acceptability of the regulations by hotel managers; (b) assess compliance during the summer touristic periods in 2020 and 2021; and (c) identify challenges during the implementation of the regulations that need to be addressed. Several non-compliances from the regulations were identified. Continuous chlorination with an automatic chlorinator was not a regular practice and suggested water circulation rates were poorly met. The microbiological and chemical testing frequency of the pool water and keeping the number of bathers allowed per surface area in the pool were reported as the most difficult requirements to meet. Most pool managers agreed that new measures contribute to the pool users’ safety; however, they reported increased cost as the main impediment for their implementation. The modernization of regulations governing swimming pools’ function, in terms of risk assessment orientation, will contribute to the adoption of an integrated compliance strategy on emerging health issues, such as COVID-19.

Supplier selection criteria in the Greek hotel food and beverage divisions

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting supplier selection in food and beverage divisions in the Greek hotel industry. This research aimed to (1) examine the factors affecting supplier selection in food and beverage divisions of the Greek hotel industry, as these were perceived by the Greek purchasing managers themselves; (2) investigate the underlying factors when changing a supplier.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted using a closed-ended type questionnaire. Data collection met the following three criteria: hotels with a fully operational food and beverage division could participate in the research, the research population comprised all the hotels located in 13 regions of Greece, the sample represented over 10% of the total hotels in each region. Finally, 653 valid questionnaires were collected.FindingsExploratory factor analysis showed that six broad sets of factors affect supplier selection in the food and beverage divisions: those related to raw materials, financing, environment, services, origin-nutrients and people. Regarding the factors considered in changing a supplier, three factors were found: service and product quality, economic policy change, food quality and safety management systems.Research limitations/implicationsGreek hotel managers could use the findings of the study to effectively create a supply chain management strategy that will lead to improved firm performance. Understanding the importance of the selection criteria for the supply chain performance and the need to build strong relationships with stakeholders, suppliers could also create a proper supply chain.Originality/valueThe study adds to the knowledge regarding the perspectives of the Greek purchasing managers in food and beverage divisions in hotel industry and the body of much-needed research. Using exploratory factor analysis, a sort of grouping of the variables seems beneficial for simplifying how to present and understand the factors affecting supplier selection in food and beverage divisions within the Greek context.

Environmental management decision-making in Greek hotels: barriers and drivers to sustainability

The present paper addresses the challenges of adopting environmental business practices by hoteliers to put through sustainable entrepreneurship in the tourism sector. The purpose of this research is to study the barriers and the drivers that influence manager's understanding on the decision of adopting environmental management system standards (EMSSs) in their hotels. The importance of these factors on the intention to get an EMS certification is also examined by employing econometric models. The results suggest that a hoteliers' decision to implement corporate environmental practices is being hindered from both external and internal factors. Enhancing corporate image and financing are estimated to be critical motives towards the adoption of formal EMSSs. However, perceived barriers towards obtaining EMS certification differ between environmentally friendly and non-environmentally friendly firms. Managers who have implemented environmental practices consider economic barriers more important than organisational or human-related factors towards adoption of EMSSs.

Digital Marketing Platforms and Customer Satisfaction: Identifying eWOM Using Big Data and Text Mining

Big data analytics provides many opportunities to develop new avenues for understanding hospitality management and to support decision making in this field. User-generated content (UGC) provides benefits for hotel managers to gain feedback from customers and enhance specific product attributes or service characteristics in order to increase business value and support marketing activities. Many scholars have provided significant findings about the determinants of customers’ satisfaction in hospitality. However, most researchers primarily used research methodologies such as customer surveys, interviews, or focus groups to examine the determinants of customers’ satisfaction. Thus, more studies must explore how to use UGC to bridge the gap between guest satisfaction and online reviews. This paper examines and compares the aspects of satisfaction and dissatisfaction of Greek hotels’ guests. Text analytics was implemented to deconstruct hotel guest reviews and then examine their relationship with hotel satisfaction. This paper helps hotel managers determine specific product attributes or service characteristics that impact guest satisfaction and dissatisfaction and how hotel guests’ attitudes to those characteristics are affected by hotels’ market positioning and strategies.

FROM VALUE CO-CREATION TO POSITIVE EXPERIENCES AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. A CUSTOMER PERSPECTIVE IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY

This study evaluates whether the Value Co-creation (VCC) process in hotels contributes to positive guest experience and satisfaction. This paper utilizes the DART model (Dialogue, Access, Risk, and Transparency) as the main framework to explore VCC in hotels. This research is the first to both adjust the DART model to a customer’s viewpoint and evaluate it in the hotel context. The included data is derived from 484 international tourists lodged in Greek hotels and is analyzed with the structural equation modeling technique. Results suggest that the Dialogue component of DART does not affect the positive experience, while Access, Transparency, and Risk Assessment do, in fact, strongly influence tourist satisfaction. The current study enriches and consolidates VCC–DART theory in the hotel context.