TY - JOUR
T1 - Human resources and SME performance in services
T2 - Empirical evidence from the UK
AU - Georgiadis, Andreas
AU - Pitelis, Christos N.
PY - 2012/2
Y1 - 2012/2
N2 - We investigate the relationship between human resources (HR) and superior firm performance, as well as the role of business strategy as a key mediating factor, for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK Tourism Hospitality and Leisure (THL) sector. Our results suggest that high-performing SMEs in the THL sector are managed by more experienced entrepreneurs. We also find that more profitable SMEs combine a highly skilled workforce with technological and know-how-based firm differentiation strategies, and/or product differentiation strategies, which are based on quality of service and personal attention to customers, alongside generous compensation and attention to employee development.
AB - We investigate the relationship between human resources (HR) and superior firm performance, as well as the role of business strategy as a key mediating factor, for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK Tourism Hospitality and Leisure (THL) sector. Our results suggest that high-performing SMEs in the THL sector are managed by more experienced entrepreneurs. We also find that more profitable SMEs combine a highly skilled workforce with technological and know-how-based firm differentiation strategies, and/or product differentiation strategies, which are based on quality of service and personal attention to customers, alongside generous compensation and attention to employee development.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84855863586&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2011.561236
U2 - 10.1080/09585192.2011.561236
DO - 10.1080/09585192.2011.561236
M3 - Article
SN - 0958-5192
VL - 23
SP - 808
EP - 825
JO - International Journal of Human Resource Management
JF - International Journal of Human Resource Management
IS - 4
ER -