IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bit/bsrysr/v16y2025i2p92-111n1005.html

Measuring Social Impact and Enhancing Workforce Integration in Croatia’s Hotel Industry: Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategic Perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • Filipović Nenad

    (IEDC – Bled School of Management, Slovenia)

  • Uroić Patricia

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Mikulić Josip

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Croatia)

Abstract

Background Croatia’s hotel industry faces persistent labour shortages and a rising reliance on foreign workers, underscoring the importance of structured workplace integration and measurable social outcomes. Objective This paper proposes a sector-specific framework for social impact and integration aligned with EU sustainability directives and leading Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. Approach Drawing on literature and insights from three Croatian hotel leaders, we synthesise integration practices and map them to relevant indicators. Results We identify actionable metrics and governance levers that improve employee satisfaction, retention, and community cohesion. Implications The framework supports transparent ESG reporting and practical workforce strategies for sustainable tourism growth. In addition, the study makes a conceptual contribution by linking workforce integration practices to ESG reporting requirements, and a practical contribution by offering a structured indicator set tailored to the hospitality sector. This positions the paper as a conceptual, case-informed research article with both academic and managerial relevance.

Suggested Citation

  • Filipović Nenad & Uroić Patricia & Mikulić Josip, 2025. "Measuring Social Impact and Enhancing Workforce Integration in Croatia’s Hotel Industry: Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategic Perspectives," Business Systems Research, Sciendo, vol. 16(2), pages 92-111.
    • Handle: RePEc:bit:bsrysr:v:16:y:2025:i:2:p:92-111:n:1005
    DOI: 10.2478/bsrj-2025-0020
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.2478/bsrj-2025-0020
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.2478/bsrj-2025-0020?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Saka-Helmhout, Ayse & Álamos-Concha, Priscilla & López, Mabel Machado & Hagan, Julie & Murray, Gregor & Edwards, Tony & Kern, Philipp & Martin, Isabelle & Zhang, Ling Eleanor, 2024. "Stakeholder engagement strategies for impactful corporate social innovation initiatives by multinational enterprises," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(4).
    2. Annamaria Di Fabio & Akira Tsuda, 2018. "The Psychology of Harmony and Harmonization: Advancing the Perspectives for the Psychology of Sustainability and Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Peter Heimerl & Marco Haid & Lea Benedikt & Ursula Scholl-Grissemann, 2020. "Factors Influencing Job Satisfaction in Hospitality Industry," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(4), pages 21582440209, December.
    4. Luigi Corvo & Lavinia Pastore, 2020. "The Usefulness of Sharing Social Impact Data. Early Findings from an International Benchmarking on SROI Assessments," Journal of Entrepreneurial and Organizational Diversity, European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises, vol. 9(2), pages 45-61.
    5. Lugosi, Peter & Ndiuini, Ann, 2022. "Migrant mobility and value creation in hospitality labour," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    6. Charalampos Giousmpasoglou, 2024. "Working Conditions in the Hospitality Industry: The Case for a Fair and Decent Work Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-12, September.
    7. Luigi Corvo & Lavinia Pastore & Arianna Manti & Daniel Iannaci, 2021. "Mapping Social Impact Assessment Models: A Literature Overview for a Future Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, April.
    8. Hadiqa Ahmad & Muhammad Yaqub & Seung Hwan Lee, 2024. "Environmental-, social-, and governance-related factors for business investment and sustainability: a scientometric review of global trends," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(2), pages 2965-2987, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ha, Le Thanh, 2025. "From wars to dynamic waves: Scrutinizing connectedness between geopolitical risk index, green and non-green crypto volatility by quantile spillovers," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 679(C).
    2. Bin Wang & Chenchen Wei & Longmei Shi & Xiaoqiang Cheng & Xueqin Shi, 2025. "ESG and firm operational efficiency: evidence from Chinese listed companies," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 681-714, January.
    3. Awijen, Haithem & Ben Zaied, Younes & Ben Jabeur, Sami, 2025. "Mobilizing FDI in natural resources in the post-COP28 era: Spatial drivers, natural capital, and sustainability dynamics," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    4. Chua Bee Seok & Harris Shah Abd Hamid & Rosnah Ismail, 2019. "Psychometric Properties of the Intrapreneurial Self-Capital Scale in Malaysian University Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-9, February.
    5. Luigi Corvo & Lavinia Pastore & Arianna Manti & Daniel Iannaci, 2021. "Mapping Social Impact Assessment Models: A Literature Overview for a Future Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, April.
    6. Bai, Mo & Wang, Weixuan & Li, Zhigang, 2024. "Private enterprises solution for fossil fuels transition: Role of ESG and carbon reporting," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    7. Hye Jung Jung & Yun Jung Choi & Kyung Wha Oh, 2020. "Influencing Factors of Chinese Consumers’ Purchase Intention to Sustainable Apparel Products: Exploring Consumer “Attitude–Behavioral Intention” Gap," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-14, February.
    8. Wenyu Zeng & Shiyong Wu & Wei Chen, 2023. "Studying at a New Remote University Campus: Challenges and Strategies in Students’ Sustainable Self-Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, February.
    9. Fe Yoo & Hye Jung Jung & Kyung Wha Oh, 2021. "Motivators and Barriers for Buying Intention of Upcycled Fashion Products in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-19, February.
    10. Islam Shainima & Hari Pramono & Suliyanto Suliyanto & Setyanto Refius & Suroso Agus & Bahauddin Khalid Md. & Iftakhar Nayma, 2024. "Transformational Leadership in Indonesian Diversified-Cultural SME Sector: An Investigation of the Settlement Criteria of Job Performance," Studia Universitatis „Vasile Goldis” Arad – Economics Series, Sciendo, vol. 34(3), pages 79-107.
    11. Daniela Pajardi & Monia Vagni & Viviana La Spada & Serena Cubico, 2020. "International Cooperation in Developing Countries: Reducing Fatalism and Promoting Self-Efficacy to Ensure Sustainable Cooperation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-14, January.
    12. Laura Berardi & Laurie Mook, 2023. "New digital technologies for social impact assessment: Considerations for Italian social economy organizations," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2023(2 Suppl.), pages 109-132.
    13. Rabiu Saminu Jibril, 2025. "Corporate ownership structure, energy and emissions disclosure: Does firm political connection encourage environmental sustainability in an emerging economy?," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(4), pages 1005-1022, December.
    14. M. Inmaculada López-Núñez & Susana Rubio-Valdehita & Eva M. Diaz-Ramiro & Marta E. Aparicio-García, 2020. "Psychological Capital, Workload, and Burnout: What’s New? The Impact of Personal Accomplishment to Promote Sustainable Working Conditions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-13, October.
    15. Mithilesh Gidage & Shilpa Bhide, 2026. "How do stakeholders prioritize CSR initiatives? An assessment based on fuzzy AHP," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 23(1), pages 92-112, March.
    16. Nadežda Jankelová & Zuzana Joniaková & Ildikó Némethová & Jana Blštáková, 2020. "How to Support the Effect of Transformational Leadership on Performance in Agricultural Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-17, September.
    17. Stangl, Brigitte & Li, Yu & Ma, Emily & Xu, Shi & Alsaied, Mai, 2024. "Transferable skills in tourism and hospitality," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    18. Gemma Morell-Delgado & Laura Talens Peiró & Susana Toboso-Chavero, 2025. "The Journey of a Discarded T-shirt: From the Global North to the Atacama Dumpsite," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(6), pages 4957-4984, November.
    19. Tabares, Sabrina & Dionisio, Marcelo & Parida, Vinit, 2025. "Leveraging corporate social innovation by hybrid organizations: A strategic perspective from B Corps in Latin America," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    20. Mihaela Luminita Sandu & Mihaela Rus & Ruxandra Elena Robu & Loredana Neacsu, 2022. "Job satisfaction for Horeca staff in the current pandemic context," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 30(1), pages 409-418, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bit:bsrysr:v:16:y:2025:i:2:p:92-111:n:1005. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Peter Golla (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.sciendo.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.