Special Employment Centres, Time Factor and Sustainable Human Resources Management in Spanish Hotel Industry: Can Corporate Social Marketing improve the labour situation of People With Disabilities?

Abstract

Background: The hotel industry has long been known for offering low-quality jobs, long working hours, and difficult scheduling, which is even more challenging for people with disabilities (PWD). The COVID-19 crisis has further exacerbated these issues, particularly in terms of labor inclusion due to widespread discrimination against this group. In Spain, Special Employment Centres (SECs) have been established to provide protected employment for PWD. While SECs have shown short-term improvements, their long-term impact on sustainable employment remains uncertain. This paper aims to analyze the Spanish context, comparing sheltered employment with the ordinary labor market, and exploring how SECs might influence the labor conditions of PWD in the hotel sector over time. Additionally, the study investigates the potential role of Corporate Social Marketing in addressing these challenges.

Methods: A bibliographic content analysis was conducted using the ProKnow-C methodology, reviewing the latest research on the subject.

Results: The literature reveals two main groups of studies: those focused on the supply side (HR practices and managers' perceptions of PWD inclusion) and those on the demand side. The supply side is more aligned with this research's objectives. Few articles address SECs and Corporate Social Marketing, underlining the novelty of this research approach.

Conclusions: The analysis suggests that labor discrimination is more prevalent in the regular market. In the long term, two contrasting outcomes may emerge: (a) SECs might reinforce social stigma, worsening the employment situation for PWD; (b) SECs could positively shift societal attitudes. Further research is needed, incorporating Corporate Social Marketing, to enhance sustainable employment for PWD.