Global mindset in the face of oil spill and COVID-19 catastrophes

Abstract

The global mindset (GM) has become a competitive differentiator for organizations in complex and constantly changing scenarios. Developing a GM contributes to achieving above-average business performance. This theoretical-empirical study aims to analyze how a GM influences the strategic actions adopted by international entrepreneurs running hotels and inns located in Porto de Galinhas (Brazil) in the face of two catastrophes: a regional oil spill and COVID-19. As a strategy, the study of multiple cases was adopted. A qualitative research approach was used in which documents were selected and semi-structured interviews were carried out with directors, company managers, and representatives of the Porto de Galinhas Hotel Association (AHPG) and Porto de Galinhas Convention & Visitors Bureau (PGACVB) who experienced the crisis. The oil spill occurred in the second half of 2019, and the COVID-19 pandemic started in March 2020. This study found that proactivity, global orientation, and the network are aspects of GM present in the four companies analyzed and that influence the differentiation and business strategy implemented in the lodging facilities; moreover, the proactivity of the GM is present among them. Such a relationship between differentiation and proactivity has not been reported in the literature; thus, in this research, this connection was considered as a finding. The premise that GM influences the strategies developed by international hotel and inn operators located in Porto de Galinhas and surroundings in the face of the oil spill and COVID-19 catastrophes was confirmed. Furthermore, gaps are identified that can be filled through the development of future research on the influence of the Global Corporate Mindset in the formation of business strategies in organizations from different economic segments.