Organizational culture and occupational communities: a preliminary international study of Pan-industry dimensions in hotels

Abstract

Cultural variables in organizations are likely to have an important bearing on the attitudes of hospitality employees. However anecdotally, a broader pan-industrial cultural phenomenon has also been recognized as an influence upon employee attitudes and behaviour. The aim of this study was to identify the extent 10 which a pan-organizational view of work exists amongst hotel staff in a number of hotels in Greece, Australia, St. Lucia and Britain. A survey approach was adopted using questions derived from earlier related studies. A pan-industrial perspective was identified in all hotels. This 'occupational' perspective challenges firm-specific notions of organizational culture and challenges long-held ideas of employee attitudes and subsequent performance. It is therefore likely that a pan-industrial hospitality culture will moderate the relationship between firm-specific organizational variables and organizational outcomes.