The Role of Organizational Culture in Driving Diversity and Equality of International Hotel Chains in Thailand
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This academic article aims to examine the organizational culture and the direction of efforts to drive it toward diversity and equality in international chain hotels in Thailand. This study seeks to explain the organizational culture and to identify the direction for driving it toward diversity and equality within international hotel chains in Thailand. This study integrates concepts, theories, and related research on organizational culture, human resource management, equality and diversity, organizational change, and the international hotel business. The knowledge gained from this study is expected to contribute to the development and implementation of human resource strategies that are appropriately aligned with the hotel industry workforce and capable of responding effectively to a society characterized by diversity and equality. The findings indicate that an organizational culture emphasizing diversity and equality is a crucial mechanism for fostering employees’ sense of belonging, reducing discrimination, and promoting creativity. Hotels should integrate diversity and equality policies into their human resource strategies by establishing flexible support systems, providing continuous training and development, and adhering to organizational ethical standards.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Views and opinions appearing in articles in the Journal of Arts of Management It is the responsibility of the author of the article. and does not constitute the view and responsibility of the editorial team I agree that the article is copyright of the Arts and Management Journal.
References
Abu Hussein, A. M., Mohammad, A. M., Alheet, A., Abu Joma, M. H., & Abu Lehyeh, S. (2023). Relationships between human resource management practices, employee satisfaction, service quality, and employee service behavior in the hotel industry. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 21(1), 242–252. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.21(1).2023.21
Accor. (2023, July 3). Embracing all journeys: Our teams celebrate diversity, equity & inclusion week around the globe. https://group.accor.com/en/news-stories/embracing-all-journeys-diversity-equity-inclusion-week-2023
Accor. (2025, July). Accor overview 2025. https://assets.group.accor.com/yrj0orc8tx24/1gfnIc7BnVhT7xnnVrKMYj/d38b79e2e1372b4ccf9a9bd6f215828f/Accor_Overview_July2025_EN.pdf
Accor. (n.d.). Our story so far. https://group.accor.com/en/group/our-history
Bavik, A. (2016). Developing a new hospitality industry organizational culture scale. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 58, 44-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2016.07.005
Bell, S. T., Villado, A. J., Lukasik, M. A., Belau, L., & Briggs, A. L. (2011). Getting specific about demographic diversity variable and team performance relationships: A meta-analysis. Journal of Management, 37(3), 709-743. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206310365001
Bhatia, A. K. (2006). The Business of Tourism: Concepts and Strategies. Sterling Publishers.
Bicer, C. (2022). Organizational culture. In Ş. Karabulut (Ed.), Academic comments and analyzes on developments in finance and economics (pp. 205–214). Ekin Yayınevi.
Bratton, J., & Gold, J. (1999). Human resource management: Theory and practice. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Carter, I. (2011). Respect and the basis of equality. Ethics, 121(3), 538-571. https://doi.org/10.1086/658897
Chiang, C. F. (2010). Perceived organizational change in the hotel industry: An implication of change schema. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 29(1), 157-167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2009.08.002
Daft, R. L. (2008). New Era of Management. Thomson South-Western.
Department of Employment, Foreign Workers Administration Office. (2025, November). Statistics on the number of foreign workers granted work permits remaining in the Kingdom of Thailand. https://www.doe.go.th/prd/download/download_by_pool_file/140161
Dimitriou, S. (2025). Human resource practices of luxury hotels in Greece[Degree programme Thesis, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences].
Donald, F. H. (1996). Human Resource Management: An Experiential Approach. Prentice Hall.
García-Rodríguez, F. J., Dorta-Afonso, D., & González de la Rosa, M. (2020). Hospitality diversity management and job satisfaction: The mediating role of organizational commitment across individual differences. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 91, Article 102698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102698
Griggs, L. B., & Louw, L. L. (1995). Valuing diversity: New tools for a new reality. McGraw-Hill.
Hilton. (n.d.-a). Diversity & inclusion: Culture. https://jobs.hilton.com/us/en/inclusion-culture
Hilton. (n.d.-b). Our brands. Stories from Hilton. https://stories.hilton.com/brands
Hilton. (n.d.-c). The story of Hilton. Stories from Hilton. https://stories.hilton.com/history
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC. (n.d.-a). About us. https://www.ihgplc.com/en/about-us
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC. (n.d.-b). Our history. https://www.ihgplc.com/en/about-us/our-history
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC. (n.d.-c). People. https://www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business/people
Ivanova, M. G. (2011). Stakeholder model of hotel chains: A conceptual framework. In H. N. Hanbabaeva, T. B. Hristova, & A. M. Kurbanova (Eds.), Strategic development of tourism and recreation. International conference (pp. 45-49).
Jones, G. R. (2001). Organizational theory: Text and cases. Prentice Hall.
Kalargyrou, V., & Costen, W. (2017). Diversity management research in hospitality and tourism: Past, present and future. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 29(1), 68-114. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-09-2015-0470
Kemwong, S., Bulpakdi, B., & Sudrung, J. (2024). Impacts of organisational culture on job performance of foreign teachers in secondary schools under the Office of Basic Education Commission. Journal of Educational Innovation and Research, 8(3), 1377-1403. https://doi.org/10.14456/jeir.2024.83
Lee, J. H., & Shin, H. C. (2024). Effects of inclusive leadership on the diversity climate and change-oriented organizational citizenship behavior. Behavioral Sciences, 14(6), Article 491. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14060491
Lewin, K. (1951). Field theory in social science: Selected theoretical papers. Harper & Row.
Marinakou, E., Ansell, K., Harbottle, E., Iontton, A., & Nordby, H. (2018). Managing change and workforce challenges in luxury hotels: An HR perspective [Conference paper]. Council for Hospitality Management Education (CHME) Annual Research Conference, Bournemouth
University, Bournemout. https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/38762/3/CHME%202018%20Managing% 20Change%20in%20hotels-%20HR%20perspective.pdf
Marriott International. (n.d.-a). Culture and values. https://www.marriott.com/th/culture-and-values/core-values.mi
Marriott International. (n.d.-b). Marriott Bonvoy. https://www.marriott.com/default.mi
Marriott International. (n.d.-c). Marriott News Center. https://news.marriott.com/
Marriott International. (2024, July 10). 2024 Serve 360 report: Environmental, social & governance progress [Report]. https://serve360.marriott.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024ESGProgress.pdf
Marriott International. (2025). Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. https://marriott.gcs-web.com/static-files/55c29ebb-d714-4e56-820c-3345943bc124
Martínez-Roget, F., Rodríguez, X. A., & Pestana Mourão, L. (2025). Artificial intelligence and employment in the hospitality sector: An analysis of the determining factors in the digital age. AI & Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-025-02756-2
Marwaha, P., Sharma, S., & Sharma, G. (2024). Impact of organizational culture on employee’s performance and job satisfaction in hotel industry. PUSA Journal of Hospitality and Applied Sciences, 10(1), 19-25. https://doi.org/10.48165/pjhas.2024.10.1.3
Ministry of Tourism and Sports. (2025, January 6). Statistical report on foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand, January–December 2024 (preliminary). https://www.mots.go.th/news/category/759
Mondy, W., Noe, M., & Premeaux, R. (1999). Human resource management. Pearson Prentice Hall.
National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. (2023). Accommodation survey 2022. https://www.nso.go.th/nsoweb/nso/survey_detail/MD?set_lang=en
Nikolskaya, E. Y., Fedorchukova, S. G., Kulgachev, I. P., Umarov, M. M., Yudina, E. V., & Feoktistov, S. V. (2021). The impact of organizational culture on the strategic development of tourism and hospitality enterprises. Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 20(4), 1-9. https://www.abacademies.org/articles/The-impact-of-organizational-culture-on-the-strategic-development-of-tourism-and-hospitality-enterprises-1939-6104-20-4-799.pdf
Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council. (2025). Gross domestic product, fourth quarter 2024. https://www.nesdc.go.th/wordpress/wpcontent/uploads/2025/02/article_20250217091948.pdf
Pettigrew, A. M. (1979). On studying organizational cultures. Administrative Science Quarterly, 24(4), 570-581. https://doi.org/10.2307/2392363
Prabhu, B. P., Asif, N. A. V., & Kumar, A. (2024). Strategic human resource in the hotel industry: ABCD analysis. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 5(4), 5128-5136. https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.5.0424.1060
Prasongthan, S., Chueaworawit, T., & Charoensuk, P. (2018). Diverse workforce in hotel industry: A preliminary study of what and why. Journal of Administrative and Business Studies, 4(6), 265-274.
Rawls, J. (1971). A theory of justice: Original edition. Harvard University Press.
Ruanggoon, J. (2013). Organizational change: Concepts, process, and the roles of human resource professional. Panyapiwat Journal, 5(1), 194-203. https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/pimjournal/article/view/20273
Rushmore, S. (2002). The hotel investments handbook. HVS.
Schein, E. H. (1990). Organizational culture. American Psychologist, 45(2), 109-119.
Siribowonphitak, C., Sertlers, P., Boonjungcharoenrat, N., & Thatsanaphak, T. (2025). Human resource management in small-scale hotel businesses in Maha Sarakham Province. Journal of Administration and Social Science Review, 8(2), 119-132. https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/assr/article/view/283904
Smith Travel Research. (2018). STR chain scales. STR.
Srihirun, J. (2018). Risk management for catering services of the hotel business: Case studies of leading five-star hotels in Bangkok. Dusit Thani College Journal, 11(special), 211-225. https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/journaldtc/article/view/136200
Srithana-anan, N. (2001). Introduction to hotel management. Dhurakij Pundit University.
Stouten, J., Rousseau, D. M., & de Cremer, D. (2018). Successful organizational change: Integrating the management practice and scholarly literatures. Academy of Management Annals, 12(2).
Tan, T. Q. (2019). Principles of inclusion, diversity, access, and equity. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 220(Supplement_2), S30-S32. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiz198
Theerasan, W. (2024). Managing organizational culture in the current context: Adaptation and the importance of change. Journal of Management Science Udon Thani Rajabhat University, 6(4), 101-108. https://so08.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/MSJournal/article/view/2497
Tomić, J. (2024). Principle of equality: Notion and application in Serbian law. SCIENCE International Journal, 3(2), 163-168. https://doi.org/10.35120/sciencej0302163t
Tubmuang, A. (2023). Corporate culture transformation for success in the hotel and tourism industry in Thailand. NKRAFA Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 11, 78-91. https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/KANNICHA/article/view/268046
Tureac, C. E. (2005). The components of the organizational culture. Acta Universitatis Danubius. Oeconomica, 1(1), 77–91. https://ideas.repec.org/a/dug/actaec/y2005i1p77-91.html
Turi, J. A., Khastoori, S., Sorooshian, S., & Campbell, N. (2022). Diversity impact on organizational performance: Moderating and mediating role of diversity beliefs and leadership expertise. PLOS ONE, 17(7), e0270813. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270813
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
Vassou, C., Theocharous, A. L., & Zopiatis, A. (2025). Inclusive leadership in hospitality: A driver of social inclusion? EuroMed Journal of Business, 20(2), 415-434. https://doi.org/10.1108/EMJB-08-2023-0208
Vongvisitsin, T. B., & Wong, A. K. F. (2021). Organisational change towards LGBTQ+ inclusion in hospitality and tourism: Managerial perspectives. Tourism Management, 86, Article 104331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2021.104331
Winch, C., & Gingell, J. (1999). Key Concepts in the Philosophy of Education. Routledge.
