Cases in Human Resource Management in Hospitality - Softcover

Cases in Human Resource Management in Hospitality is the first textbook to provide educators with a comprehensive set of cases in human resource management, covering many segments of the hospitality industry. From shorter cases with one problem, to longer cases with several problems, this book can be used by students in various courses and at different educational levels, applying concepts to actual settings in the hospitality field. Each case unfolds into a story that addresses human resource issues that managers must solve. Through active involvement in discussion, students assume the roles of working managers to:

• Identify problems
• Determine pertinent information
• Appraise alternatives
• Develop realistic solutions

And, they will be applying theory to real-life situations, developing skills as team members, and enhancing critical thinking and communication skills.

Cases in Human Resource Management in Hospitality is designed to provide interactive discussion among class members and the instructor as they discuss problems, risks, opportunities, and alternatives related to each case study. The cases are real-life stories of positive and negative situations that managers have experienced in relating to their employees within the hospitality arena. They are designed to help students develop professional characteristics that can be inherent in their futures as hospitality managers.

The cases are organized by segment and include situations in restaurants, hotels, country clubs, business and industry, healthcare, university/college/public school food services, and other facilities. The cases include both domestic and global hospitality operations with opportunities to explore a diverse workforce.

The textbook provides meaningful case studies on which to center application-level learning in active class participation. Students are required to move from basic understanding to analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of what is presented within each case. Each case includes discussion questions to facilitate discussion. The cases are designed to require critical thinking skills that will prepare students for management careers and allow for incorporating various teaching strategies such as debates; role plays, small- and large-group discussions, written assignments, and presentations. Students are provided the opportunity to grow in depth and understanding as they interrelate their working experiences with analysis of each case.

An outstanding feature of this book is that it is very flexible; educators can pick and choose cases they would like to discuss. Students have an opportunity (if given by the instructor) to peruse the cases and select the ones they feel would be most beneficial to them. Another feature is case studies within the global arena that give students an opportunity to recognize the cultural differences in various countries and how working with individuals in a global setting brings many challenges.

Key concepts include the following:

• Leadership problems/absent owners
• Communication/non-English-speaking employees
• Selecting employees/managers
• Low employee morale
• Turnover/employee productivity
• Empowerment/delegation
• Employee treatment (unfair, inconsistent)
• Disciplining employees/grievances
• Ethics
• Cultural/ethnic diversity
• Discrimination charges/sexual harassment
• Managing problematic operations
• Incompetent managers
• Orientation/training/evaluation/compensation
• Insubordination
• Terminating employees
• Employee/management conflict
• Downsizing labor force
• Employment laws, EEOC
• Illegal employees
• Working with employees who are challenged
• Unionized operations

The cases vary in length as well as in the depth of discussion required by students. Depending on course objectives, these cases can be used with students at various educational levels and within courses related to human resources, management, and strategic management or as part of a comprehensive course that relates the functional areas of the industry. The cases lend themselves for use within the industry by managers and human resources personnel. Students in an advanced human resources management course have pretested and evaluated each case. Responses from students were very positive.