Title: A systems science approach to structure human capital management in Mexican lodging SMEs

Authors: Juan E. Núñez-Ríos; J. Yvette Sánchez-García; Ricardo Tejeida-Padilla; Manuel Soto-Pérez

Addresses: Escuela de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad Panamericana, Prolongación Calzada Circunvalación Poniente 49, Zapopan, Jalisco, 45010, Mexico ' Escuela de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad Panamericana, Prolongación Calzada Circunvalación Poniente 49, Zapopan, Jalisco, 45010, Mexico ' Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico, Av. Luis Enrique Erro S/N, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Zacatenco, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, C.P. 07738, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico ' Escuela de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad Panamericana, Prolongación Calzada Circunvalación Poniente 49, Zapopan, Jalisco, 45010, Mexico

Abstract: This work addresses the process of human capital management in Mexican tourism SMEs. This process affects operations given its limited capability to respond to changes in the environment and binding activities congruently with the coordination and management components. This paper adopted the systemic method, addressed through the soft systems methodology to conduct a diagnosis and propose a conceptual model to outline a solution. The relevant systems of this construct were operationalised and contrasted with the analytical hierarchy process. The results show 90% consistency; this indicates that the model reliably represents the reality in which SMEs under study operate and proposed interrelations are acceptable to foster equilibrium. The implications of adopting a systemic perspective require reflecting on the processes of people management, as well as transit from a functionalist approach to an integral one.

Keywords: soft systems methodology; SSM; systems thinking; human capital; management; analytical hierarchy process; AHP; systems science; equilibrium; SMEs; tourism.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASS.2018.103761

International Journal of Applied Systemic Studies, 2018 Vol.8 No.4, pp.279 - 299

Received: 20 Jul 2018
Accepted: 14 Dec 2018
Published online: 27 Nov 2019 *

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