Optimising world heritage sites (WHSs) management through high-performance work system (HPWS) : case study Alhambra, Spain

Abstract

Even as the travellers and scholars across the globe are renewing their interests in heritage architecture and natural wonders of the world, the World Heritage Sites (WHS) are searching for a universally applicable solution to optimise their management while conforming to the guidelines of UNESCO, which has so far inscribed 936 sites after evaluating their heritage value in terms of their ability to contribute to the social, cultural, and economic development of the global society. Thus in its attempt to provide the above said management solution, this study explored the essential management elements of WHSs and conducted a theoretical test involving Alhambra Palace, Spain as the case study, to ascertain whether High-Performance Management System (HPWS), an SHRM management tool can optimise the WHS management by exploiting its essential management elements. The outcome of the same confirmed its efficacy, which the study used as its hypothesis and tested the same by conducting a questionnaire survey among appropriate audience. The outcome of the survey answered the research questions of the study, which substantiated the hypothesis and helped this study to arrive at a conclusion that HPWS could optimise the WHS management irrespective of its geopolitical, and socioeconomic, and cultural standing.