Checking in on Inventory Management a Comparative Analysis of Hotel Housekeeping Departments across Star Categories

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to study the complex system of inventory management used in star rated hotels and emphasis is on whether the inventory management cycle varies depending on the star category of the hotel. The aim of the study is to expand the domain of managing inventory in hotels in relation with information technology and environmental sustainability. The paper used structured interviews and a Likert scale questionnaire for descriptive research. This research uses Proportionate Stratified Random sampling to choose all five, four, and three-star hotels in the first stage and randomly select Manager and Associate level personnel to complete the questionnaire. To supplement the standardised questionnaire, executive housekeepers were interviewed for their experience. The inventory management cycle involves various stages such as budgeting, purchasing, storing, distribution, operations, and controls. This study examines the inventory management practices in three different categories of hotels, namely, five-star, four-star, and three-star hotels. The results of the study point out that there is no significant difference in inventory management practices among these hotels, irrespective of their star category. The paper includes implications for the development of a competent inventory management system in hotels irrespective of their star rating.

Keywords: Housekeeping Department, Inventory Management, Executive Housekeeper, Star-Rated Hotels, Inventory Control Practices

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