Foreign labours in Arctic destinations: seasonal workers' motivations and job skills

Abstract

This research aims to trace the work phenomenon of foreign seasonal workers in Arctic destinations where the scenic landscapes and natural phenomenon are major attractions, and where labour shortage prevails during peak tourism months. Two themes relevant to Arctic seasonal workers are investigated in the study: worker job motivation and job performance. A qualitative approach is deployed, drawing on perspectives from both frontline staff and managers from the hospitality industry (e.g. hotels and cruise ships). The study setting is the Finnmark County in Norway, Europe's northernmost Arctic region. The resultant data reveal seven motivations for seasonal workers: (1) professional development, (2) novelty seeking, (3) decent pay scale, (4) friendship with colleagues, (5) favourable working environment, (6) scenery view and nature and (7) community integration. Future studies on job motivation may cross-validate these motivations to establish a robust measurement of foreign seasonal worker intention and behaviour.

Keywords:

• Arctic destinations
• job motivation
• foreign seasonal worker
• job skills

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the US National Science Foundation which awards a research grant (ARC0909289) to support this study.