Search

Selection of senior managers in multinational corporations (MNCs) is a pivotal management decision that takes place within their subsidiaries. However, multinational corporation subsidiaries frequently encounter challenges in selecting host country managers that meet corporate qualification requirements. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore management practices in the selection process of senior managers within MNC subsidiaries. Particularly, this study provides an in-depth understanding of how the selection process affects the MNC subsidiaries in their human resource planning and management. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted in the context of international hotel subsidiaries in Jakarta, Indonesia. The interviews involved four different actors: expatriate (foreign) managers, local managers, regional executives and policy makers. The results reveal that the selection process of senior managers deviates from management ideal best practice, and that in this context, most senior managers are selected due to personal characteristics rather than their abilities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the tourism and hospitality sector hard. Hotel managers face uncertainty in this environment in order to survive. This study explores the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, particularly hotels in Indonesia, one of the largest developing countries. It examines the challenges faced by hotel managers and the strategies used to survive. Through the lens of complexity theory, we discuss whether the strategies being deployed are beneficial, redundant, or detrimental for hospitality businesses. Based on semi-structured interviews with 13 hotel managers in Jakarta, Bandung, and Bali, the findings shed light on the various challenges to hotels. We also highlight which challenges could turn into opportunities. The findings show that the strategies that managers are deploying could be detrimental in the future. Potential future research directions are also discussed.