Rise of the machines: towards a conceptual service-robot research framework for the hospitality and tourism industry

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3835-3851
Author(s):  
Glenn McCartney ◽  
Andrew McCartney
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Service Robot ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Tourism And Hospitality Industry ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism Industry ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to introduce a conceptual framework for service robot (SR) acceptance by customers, employees and policymakers – a framework to help determine corporate decision-making on SR workplace integration. Design/methodology/approach This study reviews SR adoption literature within the tourism and hospitality industry. These SRs may have some level of artificial intelligence capability and possibly anthropomorphic (e.g. humanoid) or zoomorphic (e.g. animal-like) features, contingent on task and design choices. The study then identifies factors that potentially influence employee and consumer acceptance and experiences of SR, as well as policy and compliance factors and all elements of the corporate decision-making process concerning SR adoption in the hospitality setting. Findings This paper reviews the obstacles and benefits of SR adoption in the hospitality industry based on employee, consumer and public policy considerations. Research limitations/implications SRs are increasingly deployed within hospitality and tourism settings. Future studies should further explore the value-adding functions of SRs implemented in existing hospitality operations. Practical implications Hospitality and tourism industry practitioners should integrate the dimensions in the conceptual framework to make fully informed decisions on SR adoption. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to provide a holistic SR adoption framework offering theoretical and practical implications for ongoing SR research and implementation.

State of the Canadian hospitality and tourism industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-390
Author(s):  
Chandana (Chandi) Jayawardena ◽  
Altaf Sovani ◽  
Alanna MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tourism Marketing ◽  
The Past ◽  
Labour Shortage ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism Industry ◽  
Marketing Budgets ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to provide a backdrop to the Worldwide Hospitality Themes (WHATT) theme issue (volume 9, issue 4) on aspects of the hospitality and tourism industry of Canada. Design/methodology/approach Canadian hospitality and tourism educators and their counterparts in the industry have collaborated periodically to discuss the challenges they face and to find practical solutions. Outcomes of ten key initiatives in Canada during the past 15 years that brought leaders of the hospitality and tourism industry and academia together to create 50 academic papers are summarized. Findings This paper provides key information on Canada, its people, its economic conditions and the challenges of the five sectors of the tourism industry in Canada. By introducing the main challenges faced by each sector, this paper provides a foundation for the other articles that follow in this WHATT theme issue. Practical implications Canadian tourism is losing ground, tourism marketing budgets are significantly reducing and there is a labour shortage crisis which are identified as key challenges requiring urgent attention. In conclusion, the authors suggest practical solutions. Originality/value Readers who are interested in the Canadian hospitality and tourism industry will find this paper to be of interest.

A critical review of smart hospitality and tourism research

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob Law ◽  
Huiyue Ye ◽  
Irene Cheng Chu Chan
Keyword(s):  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Tourism Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Balanced Development ◽  
Comprehensive Knowledge ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism Industry ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to build a comprehensive knowledge structure of smart hospitality and tourism research. Design/methodology/approach Content analysis is carried out on the themes of pertinent research from the perspectives of customers, suppliers, technology and policymakers. Findings Results show that over half of the reviewed articles are carried out from the perspective of customers, while those of suppliers, technology and policymakers are less discussed. The unbalanced number of articles reveals an evident mismatch between the supply and demand. Practical implications Findings provide theoretical and practical implications from different perspectives. Collaboration among various stakeholders is also advocated to achieve sustainable and balanced development of the smart hospitality and tourism industry. Originality/value This study contributes to smart hospitality and tourism research through an in-depth review of relevant literature. Based on the findings, the identified research gaps provide potential directions for future knowledge development.

Can all sectors of the hospitality and tourism industry be influenced by the innovation of Blockchain technology?

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Willie
Keyword(s):  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
General Introduction ◽  
Operational Effectiveness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Technology Applications ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism Industry ◽  
Industry Sectors ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to provide a general introduction to Blockchain technology and how it can be used within the global hospitality industry. In particular, this paper speaks to three industry sectors where Blockchain technology is currently in use. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on the perspective of an academic who also continues to serve as an industry practitioner within the field of hospitality technology. To this end, the paper provides several examples as to how Blockchain technology can be used to further advance the hospitality profession within a number of different industry sectors. Findings Blockchain technology is being used now within the hospitality industry for both practical and strategic purposes. It can be used in most sectors of the profession and will continue to be used within the hospitality industry for many years ahead. The technology is still relatively new and will continue to become more advanced and sophisticated with the passage of time. Practical implications Many hospitality industry examples are provided as to how Blockchain technology can be used to improve operational effectiveness, efficiencies and overall profitability. Originality/value This paper adds value and contributes to the literature relating to Blockchain technology applications in the international hospitality industry. It represents current and future use that can and should be taken into consideration by both the hospitality industry and academia.

RFRA and the hospitality industry in Indiana: political shocks and empirical impacts on Indianapolis’ hospitality and tourism industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Webster ◽  
Chih-Lun (Alan) Yen ◽  
Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis
Keyword(s):  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
The State ◽  
The Political ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Report ◽  
Lgbt Community ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism Industry ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) is a controversial bill passed by the State of Indiana and signed into law in March 2015. The purpose of this paper is to look into whether there is empirical evidence that the political shock of RFRA had a negative empirical impact upon the hotel industry in Indiana’s major city, Indianapolis, and investigate how DMOs and other organizations in the tourism and hospitality industry worked in ways to counteract the threat of a great deal of loss of business caused by the national furor caused by the passing of the original bill in March 2015. Design/methodology/approach To fully examine the impact of RFRA on hospitality business in Indiana, secondary data were used in this study. The researchers used the Trend Market report created by Smith Travel Research (STR) (2016b) with a focus on the greater Indianapolis area, which include Indianapolis South East, Indianapolis Central Business District, Indianapolis Airport/Speedway, Indianapolis North Loop, and Indianapolis small towns. In the Trend Market report, hotel operation performance results are listed including occupancy percentage, average daily rate, revenue per available room, supply, demand, and revenue. Findings The findings from this investigation illustrate that there is no empirical reason to believe that the political shock of the RFRA controversy in Indiana in 2015 had a meaningful impact upon the hospitality and tourism industry in Indianapolis, despite concerns that it would make a big and negative impact upon the industry. While event planners may have a negative perception of the city of Indianapolis and the state, these perceptions do not seem to be enough to make a difference in terms of impacting upon the hospitality industry in Indianapolis. Originality/value There are lessons that could be learned from this, as many states in the USA continue to pass similar laws to RFRA, laws that are perceived as being problematic for those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. The most noteworthy lesson is that the passing of laws that seem to threaten people of the LGBT community will bring a national response and will likely be accompanied with threats that are economic in nature. There is a great deal of evidence to show that passing any legislation that may be interpreted as infringing upon the rights of members of the LGBT community will result in substantial responses that may be negative in nature.

The hospitality and tourism industry in Canada: innovative solutions for the future

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 471-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandana (Chandi) Jayawardena
Keyword(s):  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Introductory Article ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Innovative Thinking ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Tourism And Hospitality Industry ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism Industry ◽  
Tourism And Hospitality

Purpose This paper aims to provide practical solutions to the strategic question: “The hospitality and tourism industry in Canada: what are the main challenges and solutions?”. It aims to capture the essence of scholarly contributions made by 25 Canadian experts and provide a conclusion to the Worldwide Hospitality Themes (WHATT) theme issue (v.9, n.4) dedicated to Canada. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws from key concepts, suggestions and solutions written by 25 Canadian authors in the previous papers of this theme issue. It is worth noting that these authors together have more than 700 years of experience in managing, operating and teaching all aspects of the tourism and hospitality industry. The paper presents nine summaries in the following order: the state of the industry (introductory article); finding innovative solutions for HR challenges (four articles); and new trends and innovation (four articles) Findings In conclusion, 20 recommendations relating to human capital enhancement, as well as general suggestions, are made to embrace useful trends and innovative thinking for future progress in Canada’s hospitality and tourism industry. Practical implications As this paper is a combination of many perspectives from nine co-authored articles, there is no single focus to draw common conclusions. For further information and analysis, it is recommended that the relevant articles from this theme issue be reviewed. Originality/value Readers interested in the Canadian hospitality and tourism industry will find this paper to be of interest.

Human resource challenges in Canada’s hospitality and tourism industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Murray ◽  
Statia Elliot ◽  
Keith Simmonds ◽  
Donnalea Madeley ◽  
Martin Taller
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource ◽  
Wage Gap ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Labour Demand ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism Industry ◽  
Employee Needs ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to explore the challenges encountered by the hospitality and tourism industry in managing the labour challenges it faces presently and will face in the coming years. Although there are several issues at play, there are actions that industry members can take both internally and by advocating externally for change. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on insights from three industry members and two academics to explore key areas in which action can be taken to address labour demand challenges in the hospitality and tourism workforce. The identified action items combine these various types of expertise to provide a holistic frame of action. Findings The Canadian hospitality and tourism industry is facing an ever-increasing labour demand shortage. Industry members can confront this on multiple fronts, from front-line employee satisfaction to more regional and national advocacy efforts. A combination of activities is recommended. Practical implications Hospitality and tourism industry members can take numerous actions from this analysis, including developing stronger organization cultures that align with employee needs, exerting effort in balancing wage gap issues and maintaining pressure on government partners to provide support for establishing hospitality and tourism, so that it is viewed as a valuable career path. Originality/value This paper increases knowledge in the hospitality and tourism field by combining the current human resource management theory with observations from industry experts on the needs that exist now and are predicted in the coming years.

Expo 2020: What must Dubai’s hospitality and tourism industry do to be ready pre- and post-event?

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart Jauncey ◽  
Sanjay Nadkarni
Keyword(s):  
Success Factors ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Success Factors ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Tourism And Hospitality Industry ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism Industry ◽  
Tourism And Hospitality ◽  
Mega Event

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight and summarize the main findings of the theme issue: “Expo 2020: How is Dubai’s hospitality and tourism industry preparing?” by drawing on the discussion and recommendations across the collection of articles to identify the key success factors associated with hosting Expo 2020 in Dubai. Design/methodology/approach – The paper profiles the key methodological elements in developing the research agenda for the theme issue “Expo 2020: How is Dubai’s hospitality and tourism industry preparing?” Findings – The paper provides a concise summary of recommendations for the various stakeholder groups involved in hosting Dubai’s Expo 2020 mega event. Originality/value – Dubai’s successful bid to host Expo 2020 was announced in early 2014. Written by industry practitioners, analysts and educators with local knowledge and experience of Dubai’s tourism and hospitality industry, the theme issue provides an authoritative review of the main opportunities and challenges facing the industry in Dubai as it prepares to host Expo 2020.

What are the key innovative strategies needed for future tourism in the world?

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandana (Chandi) Jayawardena
Keyword(s):  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Strategies ◽  
Research Theme ◽  
The World ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism Industry ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to provide answers to the question: “What are the key innovative strategies needed for future tourism in the world?” At the outset, this paper redefines the word “innovation” in the context of the hospitality and tourism industry. It then captures the essence of 13 proceeding papers on innovative initiatives in 17 countries and presents concluding remarks to this Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) theme issue on innovation (v. 11 n. 2, 2019). Design/methodology/approach This paper draws from a wide spectrum of innovation types, concepts, strategies, suggestions and solutions written by 24 authors, who cumulatively have valuable and diverse experience in managing, operating, teaching, researching and consulting on innovation. Findings Innovation is relevant to all macro- and micro-level aspects of all industries. In conclusion, to identify common elements in all 13 papers, the author presents a shorter definition: “Innovation is the art of implementing new ideas to improve productivity, products and services, while enhancing customer satisfaction, revenues and profitability”. In addition, he emphasizes that innovation needs vision, mission and passion! Research limitations/implications This research contributes to the emerging research theme of innovation in the hospitality and tourism industry and extends/re-defines the word: “innovation”. Practical implications There are significant practical implications in terms of industry approaches to use innovative strategies across the world. Originality/value Readers who are interested in international best practices of hospitality and tourism would benefit from this paper.

Going digital is the only way forward for the Indian hospitality and tourism industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Munjal ◽  
Anjana Singh
Keyword(s):  
Customer Experience ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Era ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Rapid Pace ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism Industry

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review and summarize the theme issue outcomes in relation to the strategic question: How is the hospitality and tourism industry in India responding to the dynamic digital era? Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on the findings of the theme issue contributors to identify the response of the Indian hospitality and tourism industry towards the rapid pace of digitization and use of technology. Findings The summary highlights the research on various facets of digital push with respect to marketing of products and services, role of data analytics, use of technology tools in operations to impact customer experience. It has implications for industry practitioners, researchers and policymakers. Practical implications It is quite clear that technology needs to be embraced by the hospitality and tourism Industry in India at a faster pace to compete well globally, deployment of digital technology has potential to positively impact efficiencies and quality of customer experience. There are huge implications for how digital marketing is going to become a critical part of the marketing strategy at large. Originality/value The research in this theme provides insight from both practitioner and academic perspectives provide a take on the ground realities with respect to how the hospitality and tourism businesses in India are changing how they work in the digital era.

Customer engagement and value co-creation/destruction: the internal fostering and hindering factors and actors in the tourist/hotel experience

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clement Nangpiire ◽  
Joaquim Silva ◽  
Helena Alves
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Analysis Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe customer as an active and engaged value co-creator raises new challenges for theory and practice, especially in the hospitality industry. However, the connection between engagement and co-creation is little studied in the hotel/tourism literature. This paper proposes a connection between customer engagement (CE) and value co-creation frameworks to ascertain and depict the internal actors' activities and factors that foster or hinder guests' co-creation and destruction of value.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers used qualitative methods (35 in-depth interviews, document analysis and four observation sessions) in seven regions of Ghana to explore the customer's perspective. Data were analyzed with NVivo11 within a thematic analysis framework.FindingsThe findings suggest that positive and negative engagement fosters or hinders guests' interactions, which lead to value co-creation or destruction. The research also discovered that negative interactions occasioned by any factor or actor trigger value destruction at multiple stages of the experience journey.Practical implicationsIndustry players can use the framework developed to assess their businesses, explore and reflect on the proposed value they aim to generate, and thus be more aware of how they can better facilitate value co-creation with their consumers and avoid value destruction.Originality/valueThis research proposes a novel connection between customer interactions, engagement and value co-creation to ascertain and depict the internal actors' activities and factors that foster or hinder customers' experience in the hotel/tourism industry.

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