Abstract
The extent of the impact of United States management thought and culture has been more prevalent in large European businesses and large markets and less prevalent in such markets as Austria. An attempt is made to illustrate the impact of globalization and US management practices upon the structure, conduct, and performance of Austria's tourism branch of economic activity. The historical importance and dominance of Austria's small business sector in tourism can be easily illustrated. Economic independence has always played an inordinately important role in Austria's tourism. About 10 percent of Austria's total workforce is comprised of independent workers. However, a large number of Austria's hospitality enterprises are family owned businesses. In some Austrian regions, such as Tyrol, tourism organizations have been legislated as far back as the 1920s and have been continuously subsidized by public funds. In Austria, a highly fragmented, small and medium-sized structured accommodation industry has become exposed to increasing pressures of globalization and international competition. © 2004 by Taylor & Francis. All rights reserved.