National Cultural Dimension Challenges from Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos in Developing Hotel’s Organizational Performance

Pichaphob  Panphae, Ph.D; Ravee Phoewhawm

Pichaphob Panphae, Ph.D Faculty of Business Administration Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Thailand
Ravee Art Phoewhawm, Ph.D Chongqing Technology and Business University, China https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3541-4601

Keywords: Change, Collaboration, Cultural dimensions, High performance, Management, Organization

Abstract

Measures needed to improve organizational performance may run counter to cultural dimensions as identified by Hofstede (2001). This mixed methodology study looks at the cultural dimensions of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar and at how they can stand in the way of reaching organizational goals. The quantitative approach consists of a survey of hotel managers from those three countries. In addition, in-depth structured interviews were conducted with twelve managers from the selected hotels to determine the impact of cultural dimensions on hotels’ performance in terms of working relationship, changing and adapting to circumstances, coordinating and collaborating, and holding employees accountable. Hypothesis testing and data analysis were done by reference statistics and a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The results indicate that the natural cultural dimensions are heavily linked to the business operations and may put high performance in a quandary. Time orientation has the highest direct effect on hotels performance in Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, followed by power distance and collectivism.

Author Biographies

Pichaphob Panphae, Ph.D, Faculty of Business Administration Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Thailand

Dr. Pichaphob Panphae is a Lecturer at the RMUTL. His research is in the area of management, cross-cultural organisation and leadership.

Ravee Art Phoewhawm, Ph.D, Chongqing Technology and Business University, China

Ravee Phoewhawm is an Academic Lecturer at Chongqing Technology and Business University. He holds a PhD in
Administrative Science with a concentration in education for human resources administration. His research interests are in the field of team learning and human resources/organisational development.