HRM's Role in Motivating Staff: Amsterdam 5-Star Hotels Dissertation

This dissertation proposal investigates the crucial role of Human Resource Management (HRM) in motivating staff within the 5-star hotel industry in Amsterdam, focusing on case studies of The Dylan Amsterdam and Hotel Okura Amsterdam. The research aims to identify key motivational factors influencing employee participation and performance. The study employs both secondary research, including literature reviews of relevant theories like Herzberg's Two-Factor theory and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and primary research involving qualitative data collection through interviews with employees and HR managers, as well as questionnaires and employee diaries. Ethical considerations are addressed, ensuring privacy and permission for research within the hotels. The research seeks to answer questions about HRM strategies, challenges, and solutions for enhancing employee motivation in a high-pressure environment, ultimately aiming to provide recommendations for improving employee motivation within the Amsterdam hospitality sector.

Running head: DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
Dissertation Proposal
Role of HRM in motivating the staff of 5-star hotel in Amsterdam
Name of Student:
Student ID:
Name of University:
Author’s Note

1
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
Table of Contents
1.0 Title:...........................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Overall Aim of Project:.............................................................................................................2
1.2 Objectives:.................................................................................................................................2
1.3 Research Question:....................................................................................................................3
1.4 Research:....................................................................................................................................3
1.4.1 Secondary Research:...........................................................................................................3
1.4.2 Primary Research:...............................................................................................................4
1.5 Ethical Consideration:...............................................................................................................5
Reference:........................................................................................................................................7

2
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
1.0 Title:
The motivating factors that enhances staff participation in the Amsterdam 5-Star Hotel Industry-
a case study of two 5-star hotels- The Dylan Amsterdam and Hotel Okura Amsterdam
1.1 Overall Aim of Project:
The main aim of this particular research study is to evaluate and recognize the key
indicators that act as the motivating factor for enhancing the participation of staff in the 5-star
hotel industry of Amsterdam, taking in the case studies of big hotels like ‘The Dylan
Amsterdam’ and ‘Hotel Okura Amsterdam’.
1.2 Objectives:
The research study would be based on the following three main objectives:
A. To investigate and significantly observe the current academic literature related to the
motivating factors of employees in hospitality industry. Several theories like Herzberg’s Two-
Factor theory of motivation and Maslow’s Hierarchy needs would be taken in along with major
discussions on recognizing the factors that generally motivates employees in performing to the
highest standard. (Secondary Research)
B. To investigate and analyze the factors or criteria of motivation that brings the best out of the
50 employees working in the two prestigious luxury hotels of Amsterdam- The Dylan
Amsterdam and Hotel Okura Amsterdam. (Primary Research)

3
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
C. To recognize and scrutinize the principal dialogue related to the motivation of the 40
employees and enhancing their participation at workplace in two luxurious hotels in Amsterdam-
The Dylan Amsterdam and Hotel Okura Amsterdam. (Primary Research)
D. To illustrate conclusion along with any sort of recommendation if required on the ways
employee motivation can be bettered by HR of two luxurious hotels in the hospitality industry of
Amsterdam. (Secondary and Primary Research)
1.3 Research Question:
This particular research study would also consider certain research questions on which the total
research work would be based.
a. What are the various ways and strategies through which the HR motivates employees and
enhance their participation in the 5-star hotel industry of Amsterdam?
b. What are the issues faced by the HR at certain points in motivating their employees during
high pressurized situations in the 5-star hotel industry of Amsterdam?
c. How do they overcome such pressurized situations and still motivate their employees in giving
their best shot in the 5-star hotel industry of Amsterdam?
1.4 Research:
This research study would take into account the methods of both secondary and primary
research for the successful completion of the study. Both these methods would help the
researcher in reaching to his goal of conducting this study on this particular subject.

4
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
1.4.1 Secondary Research:
The literature review part of the research study would be exploring several theories,
opinions and relevant information that exist over the broad database, journals, books and
magazines. The researcher would be making proper use of all the materials and analyze the
same, giving him a rough idea on the findings of the previous researches on the same subject
matter (Zopiatis, Constanti and Theocharous 2014). Researches of other authors would let the
researcher understand the exact angles that have been covered on the topic and what have been
left out.
1.4.2 Primary Research:
In producing the second segment of the research project; Qualitative data would be
collected from the two luxurious hotels existing in Amsterdam. Both these hotels have been
considered as samples as they have been the mainstay in the 5-star hotel industry of Amsterdam
over many years (Tarí et al. 2017). People like staying in these two hotels for their best customer
service which is the result of the employees putting in their best foot forward in determining the
customers get the best possible service.
For the objectives B and C as stated above, for gaining of an impending into the probable
intrinsic and extrinsic factors having an influence on the motivational factors of employees that
develops their performance, a minimum of 20 one to one interviews would be assumed. These
one to one interviews with the individuals would be the one who works with the two luxurious
hotels under discussion or are atleast closely related with the organizations of case study. Out of
those 20, 5 would be the HR managers sharing the hotels’ strategy in dealing with employee
motivation.

5
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
The interviews would be recorded for future purpose and it would be following a semi-
structured format, with every interview following the universal guide (Millán et al. 2013). For
analyzing of all the interviews, thematic analysis would be undertaken with the main patterns
being recognized and properly stated and analyzed (Karatepe 2013). The research would be
following a non-probability sampling technique, preferably snowball method
For addressing any sort of biasness along with misrepresentation, innate within the
process of interview based methods of collecting data and in gaining an imminent into probable
extrinsic, environmental factors influencing the motivational factors, the interviewed candidates
would be asked to maintain a notebook. They would be told to record any factor or situation
happening within the day that might either motivate or de-motivate them in giving their best at
that point of time. Their emotional feelings at that particular point of time should be noted along
with what according to them might work in better way. These diaries would be collected and the
information extracted from these would be presented through narrative analysis with the
recognizing the main themes, comparing them and evaluation of the same (Sørensen and Jensen
2015).
A questionnaire would also be distributed to all the 40 employees in determining the
motivational factors that best satisfies the employees and brings out the best performance from
them. All these questionnaires would be mailed to the selected employees and managers.
1.5 Ethical Consideration:
Ethical consideration is another important factor that must be considered by the
researcher while going along with the process of research. Proper permission is required for the
researcher in carrying out his research work in the two above stated luxurious hotels in

6
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
Amsterdam. A formal application is to be provided citing in the research details and what is at
stake. An agreement should be made on the matter of secrecy on this subject and that a formal
discussion on the things required for the research study. It is upto the researcher to maintain
complete secrecy as per the agreement on the responses of the employees and the managers on
the subject matter. Moreover, the researcher should also focus on not leaking out any company
information at any point of time.

7
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
Reference:
Benavides-Velasco, C.A., Quintana-García, C. and Marchante-Lara, M., 2014. Total quality
management, corporate social responsibility and performance in the hotel industry. International
Journal of Hospitality Management, 41, pp.77-87.
Karatepe, O.M., 2013. High-performance work practices and hotel employee performance: The
mediation of work engagement. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 32, pp.132-
140.
Millán, J.M., Hessels, J., Thurik, R. and Aguado, R., 2013. Determinants of job satisfaction: a
European comparison of self-employed and paid employees. Small business economics, 40(3),
pp.651-670.
Robinson, R.N., Kralj, A., Solnet, D.J., Goh, E. and Callan, V., 2014. Thinking job
embeddedness not turnover: Towards a better understanding of frontline hotel worker
retention. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 36, pp.101-109.
Sørensen, F. and Jensen, J.F., 2015. Value creation and knowledge development in tourism
experience encounters. Tourism Management, 46, pp.336-346.
Tarí, J.J., Pereira-Moliner, J., Pertusa-Ortega, E.M., López-Gamero, M.D. and Molina-Azorín,
J.F., 2017. Does quality management improve performance or vice versa? Evidence from the
hotel industry. Service Business, 11(1), pp.23-43.

8
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
Zopiatis, A., Constanti, P. and Theocharous, A.L., 2014. Job involvement, commitment,
satisfaction and turnover: Evidence from hotel employees in Cyprus. Tourism Management, 41,
pp.129-140.