Supervisor

Kelvin Martins

Programme

MA in International Business

Keywords

Irish Hospitality Sector, Employee Retention, Labour Market Factors

Abstract

This study investigates the organisational and external labour market factors influencing employee retention in the Irish hospitality sector. The sector faces persistently high turnover rates, yet existing literature has largely focused on internal factors such as leadership and working conditions, overlooking broader labour market dynamics. To address this gap, a qualitative research design was adopted, involving semi-structured interviews with six participants (three managers and three kitchen staff) working in hospitality establishments in Dublin’s Temple Bar area. Thematic analysis was applied to identify key themes related to working conditions, management practices, job satisfaction, employee retention, and labour market factors. The findings reveal that retention is shaped by demanding working conditions, inconsistent management practices, and visa-related constraints, alongside the availability of alternative employment opportunities in a tight labour market. Notably, a gap emerged between managerial perceptions of fairness and employee experiences of inconsistency. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that retention is not always a voluntary choice but can be constrained by structural factors such as immigration status. Practical recommendations include improving management consistency, enhancing work-life balance, and offering competitive pay and development opportunities.

Date of Award

2026

Full Publication Date

2026

Access Rights

open access

Document Type

Capstone Project

Resource Type

thesis

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.63227/652.299.160

Included in

Business Commons

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