Integration of employees with special needs in the hotel industry of Kazakhstan: theory and practice

Abstract

This article is devoted to a comprehensive study of the integration of employees with special needs in the Kazakhstan hotel industry. The study systematically analyzes theoretical approaches to diversity management, equal opportunity, and organizational justice, and examines their practical potential in the hospitality industry. Based on a comparative analysis of current practices in hotel companies, the strengths and weaknesses of existing inclusive HR management models are identified. The empirical part of the study includes an analysis of survey and interview data, allowing us to assess the level of social adaptation, work engagement characteristics, and factors in the professional development of employees with special needs. Comparing national experience with practices in the European Union and the United States allowed us to identify key institutional and regulatory areas requiring further development. The obtained results identify the main barriers to inclusion and formulate practice-oriented recommendations for the hotel industry and government agencies aimed at developing human capital and enhancing the social responsibility of the tourism industry.