Human resources and SME performance in services: Empirical evidence from the UK

Andreas Georgiadis, Christos N. Pitelis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)808-825
Number of pages18
JournalInternational Journal of Human Resource Management
Volume23
Issue number4
Early online date29 Jul 2011
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2012

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