The Quality of Work Life of Front-Office Employees with Sexual Diversity in the IHG International Hotel Chain, Bangkok

Main Article Content

Ingkawat Lertphatchaimeth
Narin Keskauwiriyanool
Manassinee Boonmeesrisa-nga
Rachanon Taweephol
Thirawat Chantuk

Abstract

This research aims to: 1) examine the dimensions of quality of work life (QWL) among LGBTQ+ front-office employees, and 2) identify constraints hindering the improvement of their QWL. This qualitative study adopts a case study methodology, incorporating in-depth interviews with 22 participants, including LGBTQ+ front-office employees and human resource managers from IHG hotels in Bangkok. The findings reveal that: 1) The QWL model for LGBTQ+ front-office employees in IHG comprises eight key dimensions, as conceptualized by Walton (1975): 1.1) Adequate and fair compensation, 1.2) Safe and healthy working conditions, 1.3) Opportunities for competency development, 1.4) Career growth and job security, 1.5) Social integration and collaboration, 1.6) Workplace democracy, 1.7) Work-life balance, and 1.8) Social relevance and contribution; 2) Barriers to enhancing QWL are categorized into three main themes: 2.1) Unconscious bias and discrimination, 2.2) Gaps in organizational policy communication systems, and 2.3) Insufficiently comprehensive welfare design and provision.

Article Details

Section
Research Articles

References

ธนา ตุลยกิจวัตร. (2567). บทบาทของธุรกิจโรงแรมในการฟื้นตัวของภาคการท่องเที่ยวและเศรษฐกิจไทย. ใน รายงานการวิจัยเศรษฐกิจและการท่องเที่ยว. ศูนย์วิจัยกรุงไทย คอมพาส.

พิมลพรรณ อิศรภักดี. (2558). ต่างวัยต่างทัศนะต่อความหลากหลายทางเพศในสังคมไทย. ใน การประชุมวิชาการประชากรและสังคม ครั้งที่ 4 (น. 45-59). สถาบันวิจัยประชากรและสังคม มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล.

ศูนย์วิจัยกรุงไทย คอมพาส. (2567). รายงานการประเมินรายได้ธุรกิจโรงแรมและแนวโน้มการท่องเที่ยวปี 2567-2568. ศูนย์วิจัยกรุงไทย คอมพาส.

Badgett, M. V. L., Lau, H., Sears, B., & Ho, D. (2007). Bias in the workplace: Consistent evidence of sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination. The Williams Institute.

Badgett, M. V. L., Waaldijk, K., & Rodgers, Y. van der Meulen. (2019). The relationship between LGBT inclusion and economic development: Macro-level evidence. World Development, 120, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.03.011

Brown, L., & Zhang, W. (2020). Digital learning platforms and employee performance: Evidence from multinational corporations. Journal of Workplace Learning, 32(6), 417-432.

Button, S. B. (2001). Organizational efforts to affirm sexual diversity: A cross-level examination. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(1), 17-28.

Day, N. E., & Greene, P. G. (2008). A case for sexual diversity in the workplace. Journal of Business Ethics, 82(4), 807-822.

Day, N. E., & Schoenrade, P. (2020). The effects of LGBTQ-supportive policies on employee well-being. Journal of Business and Psychology, 35(3), 45-62.

Denzin, N. K. (2012). Triangulation 2.0. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 6(2), 80-88. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689812437186

Garcia, M., Thompson, R., Chen, L., Alvarez, J., & Wilson, K. (2021). Beyond rainbow logos: Measuring the impact of LGBTQ+ initiatives. Journal of Organizational Diversity, 12(3), 89-110.

Global Diversity Network. (2023). Annual report on LGBTQ+ workplace benefits. GDN Publishing.

Grandey, A. A., Diefendorff, J. M., & Rupp, D. E. (2015). Emotional labor in the 21st century: Diverse perspectives on emotion regulation at work. Routledge.

Guest, D. E. (2002). Perspectives on the study of work-life balance. Social Science Information, 41(2), 255-279.

Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006). How many interviews are enough? An experiment with data saturation and variability. Field Methods, 18(1), 59-82. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X05279903

Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1976). Motivation through the design of work: Test of a theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 16(2), 250-279.

Hochschild, A. R. (1983). The managed heart: Commercialization of human feeling. University of California Press.

Human Rights Campaign. (2023). Corporate equality index 2023. HRC Foundation.

InterContinental Hotels Group. (2021). Employee engagement statement 2021. https://www.ihgplc.com/~/media/Files/I/Ihg-Plc/investors/corporate-governance/employee-engagement-statement-2021.pdf

InterContinental Hotels Group. (2023). Annual report 2022. https://www.ihgplc.com/~/media/Files/I/Ihg-Plc/investors/annual-report/annual-report-2022.pdf

InterContinental Hotels Group. (2024). Global diversity and inclusion policy statement. https://www.ihgplc.com/~/media/Files/I/Ihg-Plc/responsible-business/global-diversity-and-inclusion-policy-statement.pdf

InterContinental Hotels Group. (2025). Find the perfect hotel in Bangkok. https://www.ihg.com/bangkok-thailand

Johnson, R., Lee, S., & Martinez, P. (2020). Unconscious bias in hospitality: A multinational study. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 75-90.

Jones, K. P., Arena, D. F., Nittrouer, C. L., Alonso, N. M., & Lindsey, A. P. (2017). Subtle discrimination in the workplace: A vicious cycle. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 10(1), 51-76.

Karatepe, O. M., & Olugbade, O. A. (2016). The effects of work social support and career adaptability on career satisfaction and turnover intentions. Journal of Management & Organization, 22(6), 762-783.

Lashley, C. (2000). Hospitality retail management: A unit manager's guide. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Lee, S., & Park, J. (2019). Gender diversity in Asian hospitality sectors. Asia Business Press.

LGBT Capital. (2023). Global LGBT+ economic power report 2023: The economic case for diversity and inclusion. LGBT Capital Research Group.

Manoharan, A., & Singal, M. (2017). A systematic literature review of research on diversity and diversity management in the hospitality literature. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 66, 77-91.

Martinez, P. (2022). Policy awareness among LGBTQ+ employees. Diversity and Inclusion Review, 8(2), 65-80.

Nastasi, B. K. & Schensul, S. L. (2005). Contributions of qualitative research to the validity of intervention research. Journal of School Psychology.43(3), 177-195.

Ng, E. S. W., & Rumens, N. (2017). Diversity and inclusion in the workplace: A review of research and perspectives. Equality, diversity and inclusion. An International Journal, 36(1), 2-16.

Ozeren, E. (2014). Sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace: A systematic review of literature. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 109, 1203-1215.

Pichler, S., Ruggs, E. N., & Trau, R. N. C. (2017). Worker outcomes of LGBT-supportive policies: A cross-level model. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 38(6), 878-894.

Ragins, B. R., Singh, R., & Cornwell, J. M. (2007). Making the invisible visible: Fear and disclosure of sexual orientation at work. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(4), 1103-1118.

Tanaka, Y., Sato, H., Watanabe, T., Nakamura, K., & Kobayashi, M. (2021). Transgender healthcare benefits in Japan. Asian Journal of Human Resources, 14(1), 30-45.

United Nations. (2015). Sustainable development goals. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/

Waiddijk, K., Van der Meer, T., Johansson, A., Müller, S., & Santos, P. (2022). Global standards for LGBTQ+ compensation. International HR Journal, 15(4), 45-62.

Walton, R. E. (1975). Criteria for quality of working life. In Work in America: Report of a special task force to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (pp. 99-104). MIT Press.