Human resource management challenges in the tourism industry in Iraq
List of Authors
  • Muthana Faaeq Almasoodi , Suraiyati Rahman

Keyword
  • Human Resource Management, HRM Challenges, Tourism Industry, Strategic Management Theory

Abstract
  • As Iraq aims to develop its tourism industry to support economic growth following the conflict, a key question arises regarding the workforce needed to enable sustainable sector expansion. This paper explores the unique human resource management (HRM) challenges tourism companies face in this fledgling context through a qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews with eight HR executives from major hospitality firms revealed four major problem themes: recruiting skilled talent, excessive turnover, safety and well-being risks, and inadequate training infrastructure. The findings align with strategic HRM theory in that shortfall in acquiring, motivating, protecting, and developing human capital obstruct the achievement of organizational growth, productivity, service quality, and continuity goals. Practical implications point to increasing public and private investments in formal tourism education, safety standards, and company-level development programs as priority actions to remedy crippling HRM constraints for the emerging Iraqi tourism sector. The paper spotlights an underexplored yet critically important HRM context, providing empirical insights to inform policies and practices that can unlock the sector's potential.

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