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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Analysis of Staff Scheduling Effect on Hospitality Staffing Service Efficiency During High-Occupancy Conditions Using Discrete Event Simulation (DES)

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>This study utilized discrete event simulation (DES) in order to optimize the staff scheduling within the housekeeping department for hotel operation during high-occupancy conditions. High-occupancy situations within hotels occur during peak season times in which guests occupy a greater number of rooms than throughout the year. A literature review showed that DES has been used to optimize various types of schedules. This study was unique in the case that it incorporates computer modeling into the staffing portion of lodging establishments; an area with limited amount of research. Data was collected from historical records and through actual observations. A validated computerized model of the hotel was constructed using Arena 13 to determine an optimal staff schedule, which would decrease guests' waiting times as well as payroll costs in the housekeeping department. A sensitivity analysis was conducted in order to determine the number housekeepers to employ and their length of schedule depending on the acceptable wait time allowed for guests and the number of checkouts. The product of this study was a model that could be used by other lodging establishments to determine how many housekeepers to employ based on the number of rooms checking out and staying over. Future studies could incorporate the rate to stay at the establishment and how that could have an effect on the arrival rate of guests and their willingness to stay at the hotel.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science in Human Factors & Systems
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis - Open Access
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Human Factors and Systems
Year
2011

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Malony, Robert Joseph

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://commons.erau.edu/edt/99
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:commons.erau.edu:edt-1098

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Base URL
commons.erau.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-27
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Malony, Robert Joseph. Analysis of Staff Scheduling Effect on Hospitality Staffing Service Efficiency During High-Occupancy Conditions Using Discrete Event Simulation (DES). Thesis - Open Access thesis, 2011. https://commons.erau.edu/edt/99