Holacracy or Wholly Crazy? Is a Flattened Hierarchy Suitable to Hospitality?

EHL Staff | August 2, 2023

By Dr. Steffen Raub, Dr. Bertrand Audrin, Dr. Stefano Borzillo One concept in the hospitality sector, known for its traditionally very vertical hierarchical structure, is sparking discussion about the future of specific hospitality industry organizations. It's called “holacracy,” a flattened organizational structure that seeks to distribute authority and empower employees at all levels. But is this innovative approach compatible with the hospitality industry's complex, highly hierarchical dynamics? In this article, we examine the question: Is a flattened organizational structure suitable for organizations in the hospitality industry? ...