Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Can the hobo phenomenon help explain voluntary turnover?

1996; Emerald Publishing Limited; Volume: 8; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1108/09596119610119930

1757-1049

Sandra J. Hartman, Augusta C. Yrle,

Customer Service Quality and Loyalty

Examines the behaviour of hotel employees who, even when they say they are “satisfied”, move from job to job for reasons unrelated to that “satisfaction”. Suggests that an important reason for leaving jobs is that such movement may represent an important way to “get ahead”. Reports on a study which is a preliminary investigation of what is described as a “hobo phenomenon” in the hotel sector. Explains that limited longitudinal data (over eight months), were collected and analysed; and implications were pursued through in‐depth interviews with hotel employees. Results suggest that the hobo phenomenon may have potential as an explanatory variable in voluntary turnover research in the hotel sector. Discusses the implications, emphasizing the need to consider employee perceptions of promotion opportunities, and specifically the importance of considering promotion opportunities separate from promotion fairness, a factor neglected in current job satisfaction measures.