Talent Acquisition & Development in Hospitality Sector: Implications for the Mediterranean Region

1. Liang (Larry) Yu, Ph.D.
Professor
School of Business
The George Washington
University

2. Talent Acquisition and Development in
Hospitality Sector
To maintain enduring competitive advantages in hospitality
superior service
highly trained and loyal employees
preferred location
facility & technology
brand
satisfied and loyal guests

3. Talent Acquisition and Development in
Hospitality Sector
Sustainable assets for hospitality service:
Employee loyalty & customer loyalty
Talent acquisition & development strategy
Attract and select the right fit
Develop through training & learning opportunities
Retain by rewards, recognition & career
opportunities

4. Arlie Russell Hochschild – sociologist
“The Managed Heart” 1983
Emotional worker
Emotion regulation to meet the
standards of operations
Public display of emotion and
bodily expression of service
employees
Emotional intelligence
Emotional Workers in Hospitality Industry

5. Interactions of individuals in business organizations
Employee job satisfaction and loyalty is closely linked to
social exchange in the organization
Leader – Member relationship
Organization – Member relationship
Member – Member relationship
External prestige perception
Organizational citizenship behavior
Social Exchange Perspective (George Homans, 1958)
No matter the country or community,
relationships are the currency of every
culture

6. One critical challenge facing the hospitality sector is the
greying of the baby boomers and talent acquisition of
the next generation.
INJAZ Al-Arab, the MENA regional office of Junior Achievement
Worldwide recently partnered with several leading global
companies in different sectors to launch youth empowerment
campaign called 'Expand Your Horizon'.
Marriott International is one of the partners to develop young
people’s career interest in hospitality service by providing student
internship in the Middle East and Africa
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/marriott-international-presents-career-opportunities-for-arab-youth-in-
partnership-with-injaz-al-arab-300154077.html
Talent Acquisition of the Next Generation of
Hospitality Professionals

7. The Millennials (1980 – 2000)
Active Information technology and social media user
High career mobility
Learning organization & Knowledge sharing
Mentoring/coaching
Clear career path
Flexibility
Talent Acquisition and Development of the
Millennials in Hospitality Sector

8. In today’s tourism industry:
Diverse workforce serving diverse guests
Create organizational environment of inclusiveness
embracing cultural diversity
talent acquisition strategy
training in serving guests of different cultures
providing service excellence to diverse guests
Diversity & Inclusion Relationship

9. Tourism & Hospitality Management Program at
George Washington University
Location – Heart of Hospitality
Marriott International/Starwood Hotels
Hilton Hotels Worldwide
Choice Hotels International
Balanced approach of theory & practice
Human Capital Development
Recruiting/Selection
Training/learning
Motivation
Evaluation
Compensation
Management & Union Relationship

10. Thank You!