Application of the theory of constraints - TOC in the planning of capacity and mix of accommodation units in hotel businesses

Abstract

Hotel management in Brazil is undergoing changes with the arrival of major international chains, bringing with them more efficient management processes, which are creating problems of survival for more traditional hotels. To face these challenges, some hotel organizations seek to improve their own operating processes, by adapting to capacity, improving productivity and consequently, minimizing costs. It is within this context that the central theme of this work is developed: applying the Theory of Constraints to the capacity planning process and mix of accommodation units in hotel businesses. The Theory of Constraints – TOC is based on the systematic management of capacity of the process of executing services, eliminating excess and adjusting it, to better serve guests’ needs. Therefore, the methodology used to achieve the objective of this article is descriptive research, by means of a bibliographic and documentary review procedures, and qualitative in terms of its approach. The results obtained indicate that the system has great potential for use in hotel businesses, as it enables the capacity to be better planned, and the mix of accommodation units to be defined, identifying and eliminating of the constraints associated with the process. Key words: Planning; Theory of Constraints; Hotel Management.