Developing an empowerment framework for broad-based black economic empowerment in the hotel industry in South Africa

[摘要] This study investigated the implementation of broad-based black economic empowerment(BBBEE) policy in the hotel industry of South Africa. BBBEE aims to accelerate the inclusion ofblack people into the economy through company ownership, human resource, and enterprise andcommunity development. Although black people represent 91 per cent of South Africa's population,the economy is controlled by a small white population. Studies have shown slow adoption andresistance to the BBBEE policy by the private sector, including in the hotel industry. Therefore, theresearch problem was the nature of compliance with, and the implementation of, blackempowerment policy in the hotel industry.The main objective of the study was to investigate whether a framework for the effectiveimplementation of black empowerment policy could be developed, given the centrality of hotels inthe tourism value chain. The specific objectives were to determine the nature of the disconnect onBBBEE, to identify factors which facilitated or inhibited implementation, and to explore solutions forenhancing BBBEE implementation in the hotels.A quantitative investigation of 611 hotel general managers constituted the core of the dissertation'scontent and contribution. Data from 178 respondents was analysed using descriptive andcorrelational statistical methods. The development of the quantitative research instrument wassubstantiated by the preliminary qualitative study of five hotel group executives. The mixedmethods approach was appropriate for investigating the dual structure (group and unit) of the hotelindustry.The results indicated that hotels were recording progress on human resource developmentalthough compliance levels did not meet the required BBBEE targets. On enterprise development,the hotels' engagement with small black enterprises was low both quantitatively and qualitatively.Furthermore, hotel group leaders indicated that the tourism-specific BBBEE charter presentedbureaucratic challenges, as tourism straddles several industries which required different BBBEEcertification.The study has developed an empowerment framework of solutions for achieving success inBBBEE in hotels. The primary factors determining success are the provision of performancetargets and incentives for general managers, and if the hotel manager supports BBBEE policy.Furthermore, exogenous factors such as the star rating and location of a hotel also impact onBBBEE implementation.A quantitative investigation of 611 hotel general managers constituted the core of the dissertation'scontent and contribution. Data from 178 respondents was analysed using descriptive andcorrelational statistical methods. The development of the quantitative research instrument wassubstantiated by the preliminary qualitative study of five hotel group executives. The mixedmethods approach was appropriate for investigating the dual structure (group and unit) of the hotelindustry.The results indicated that hotels were recording progress on human resource developmentalthough compliance levels did not meet the required BBBEE targets. On enterprise development,the hotels' engagement with small black enterprises was low both quantitatively and qualitatively.Furthermore, hotel group leaders indicated that the tourism-specific BBBEE charter presentedbureaucratic challenges, as tourism straddles several industries which required different BBBEEcertification.The study has developed an empowerment framework of solutions for achieving success inBBBEE in hotels. The primary factors determining success are the provision of performancetargets and incentives for general managers, and if the hotel manager supports BBBEE policy.Furthermore, exogenous factors such as the star rating and location of a hotel also impact onBBBEE implementation.This study builds on, and adds value to previous studies by moving beyond the investigative modeto identifying practical policy options for successful transformation of the hotel industry. Theproposed framework acknowledges the diverse nature of the tourism product, and provides potential solutions to enhance the hotel managers' ability to anticipate and incorporate factorsimpacting on BBBEE implementation. The framework adds theoretical value to affirmative actiondiscourse by suggesting a conceptual shift from a race-based approach to an alternative one whichwould incorporate sustainable tourism and ethical governance concerns. Such an approach wouldmaximise BBBEE potential in the hotel industry of South Africa for beneficiaries and communities.Additional research is recommended to substantiate the hypothesis with a broader sample as thestudy was limited to hotel managers.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University