Effects of Ergonomics on Employees Productivity in Hotels - Dissertation Example

A high level of labor productivity is essential in the hotel industry as staff labor accounts for a large amount of the overall costs. Productivity can be defined as “output to the labor hours used in the production of that output” (Bureau of Labour Statistics). In more simplified terms it is a measurement of work produced in a given time. Attention to productivity levels is particularly important in Ireland as the cost of labor is very high in comparison to other countries. Hotel managers must ensure that the high rate of pay is justified.

An emphasis on productivity in hotels over the past few years with the economic decline has meant that employees have had to work harder and some employees have lost their jobs. An article by James R. Brown of Cornell University suggests that a hotel's size, its service orientation, its ownership arrangement, and its management arrangement affect productivity. His research found that large hotels use their labor more productively and generate the most income from their capital investments. Upscale hotels are inclined to be more productive than mid-market hotels, while hotels operated by branded management companies use their capital and labor resources more efficiently than do hotels operated independently or by independent management companies.

Finally, company-owned properties tend to employ their labor more productively than do franchised hotels. (Brown, 1999). Currently, hotels in Ireland are focusing on reducing labor costs while maintaining sales. Concentrating on the reduction of labor costs as a percentage of sales may achieve short-term productivity targets but can also jeopardize long-term viability due to the erosion of service standards. Poor service affects customer satisfaction, which in turn influences sales and productivity, thereby creating a cycle of poor productivity.

(Kimes, 2001). As productivity measures are more commonly drawn from the manufacturing industry.