A theoretical basis for managing human resources in tourism

Abstract

The complexity of human resource management as a sub-component of the management process per se and as a fully-fledged academic discipline in its own right is underpinned by basic philosophical and theoretical foundations relevant to the tourism industry in South Africa. The article expounds, inter alia, a philosophy of management sciences which encompasses various approaches to that field vis-à-vis its evolution over time. Various theoretical perspectives on human resource management are explained in the article, from philosophy as applicable to the social sciences, through to a philosophical basis for public management, to a normative theory for the management of human resources. A systems model as a possible approach to the field of human resource management is provided, together with a number of other paradigmatic approaches to the field. A conclusion is provided at the end, with a reference list completing the article.