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Hospitality entrepreneurship: a link in the career chain

Siets Andringa (Department of Business and Management, Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Auckland, New Zealand and Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand)
Jill Poulston (Department of Hospitality, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand and New Zealand Tourism Research Institute (NZTRI), Auckland, New Zealand)
Tomas Pernecky (School of Hospitality and Tourism, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand)

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management

ISSN: 0959-6119

Article publication date: 11 April 2016

2133

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the motivational factors behind the transition of successful hospitality entrepreneurs in New Zealand, back into paid employment.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, 16 interviewees were recruited using the snowball technique and their stories examined using a narrative analysis technique.

Findings

Motivational factors were categorised into seven themes of family, work–life balance, health and stress, age, planned exit, stagnation and intuition. Poor work–life balance was identified as a consistent factor in decisions to sell hospitality businesses. Although lifestyles were self-imposed, they were exacerbated by the conflicting needs of family, customers and the owners themselves, several of whom worked to exhaustion.

Research limitations/implications

Implications for prospective entrepreneurs include considerations of work–life balance and the true costs of hospitality business ownership.

Originality/value

This is the first study of motivations for leaving a successful hospitality business and moving into paid employment. As research is sparse on reasons for this transition, this study provides an understanding of this phenomenon and insights into the extraordinary challenges of hospitality entrepreneurship in New Zealand.

Keywords

Citation

Andringa, S., Poulston, J. and Pernecky, T. (2016), "Hospitality entrepreneurship: a link in the career chain", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 28 No. 4, pp. 717-736. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-05-2014-0247

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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