An examination of the organizational and cross‐cultural challenges facing international hotel managers in Russia

With the ever increasing globalization of the hospitality industry, an exploration of the issues facing international hotel managers in Russia is both timely and important. The ability to manage people in an international context is one of the greatest tests of managerial skill and, in many novel cultures, success is dependent not only on the managers’ technical and professional expertise but also on their understanding of the local culture and local staff. There are many important cultural factors that impact on the expectations and attitudes of Russians about work which are therefore essential for managers to appreciate and understand. The paper highlights the range of challenges that exist and illustrates those that arise from cross‐cultural differences between eastern and western expectations, as well as the range of diverse organizational cultures within Russia’s hotel industry. Managers must be aware of these differences and develop appropriate skills and competencies to help them adapt their style accordingly.