Search results

This study aims to investigate the affordances of service robots (SRs) in hotels and their effects on frontline employees (FLEs).

Purposive and referral samplings methods were used to conduct 28 semistructured interviews with hotel FLEs, and the transcribed manuscript was analyzed based on grounded theory.

The study identifies six dimensions of SR affordances: physical, sensory, task, safety, social and emotional affordances. The main effects of SR affordances on FLEs involve reducing work stress and mental fatigue and increasing positive emotions in the psychological aspects of FLEs. In terms of behavioral aspects, shifts in task priorities and enhancements in SR usage behaviors were observed. Accordingly, a mechanistic framework was revealed through which SR affordances influence FLEs via direct and indirect interactions between FLEs and SRs.

This paper expands robotics research from a supply-side perspective and is one of the few studies to investigate SR affordances in the field of hospitality research. Findings of this study provide practical guidelines for designing and implementing SRs to support hotel FLEs in their daily work.

本研究旨在调查酒店中服务机器人（SR）的可供性及其对一线员工（FLEs）的影响。

本研究采用目的性和推荐抽样方法, 对酒店一线员工进行了28次半结构化访谈, 并根据扎根理论对转录的手稿进行了分析。

本研究确定了服务机器人的六个可供性维度：物理、感官、任务、安全、社会和情感可供性。服务机器人可供性对一线员工的主要影响包括减少工作压力和心理疲劳, 以及在心理方面增加积极情绪。在行为方面, 观察到任务优先级的变化和服务机器人使用行为的增强。因此, 研究揭示了一种机制框架, 通过一线员工与服务机器人的直接和间接互动, 服务机器人可供性影响一线员工。

本文从供给侧视角扩展了机器人研究, 是少数几篇研究酒店业中服务机器人可供性的研究之一。本研究结果为设计和实施服务机器人以支持酒店一线员工的日常工作提供了实践指南。

Grounded in the cognitive appraisal theory, this paper aims to investigate how employees cognitively evaluate and respond to the introduction of service robots, with a particular focus on generational differences.

Data was collected from hospitality employees across different generations in the USA, and 279 responses were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

The results indicate negative service robot awareness and perceived risk significantly contribute to increased turnover intentions, with job insecurity mediating these associations. Notably, Generation Z employees exhibit distinct attitudes toward service robots compared to older generations, indicating a varying response pattern across different generational cohorts.

Organizations operating in the hospitality industry can use these findings to tailor interventions aimed at addressing concerns related to job insecurity and turnover intentions arising from the integration of service robots. Recognizing the diverse perspectives among different generational groups, organizations can implement targeted approaches to ensure a smoother transition and enhance employee acceptance of service robot technologies.

This study contributes to the literature by shedding light on the nuanced interplay between employees’ cognitive evaluations, generational differences and the introduction of service robots in the hospitality sector. The insights generated offer valuable guidance for both academics and industry practitioners, facilitating the development of strategies to foster a mutually beneficial integration of service robots into the workforce.

本研究基于认知评估理论, 探讨员工如何对引入服务机器人进行认知评估和响应, 特别关注世代差异。

采集了来自美国不同世代的酒店员工的数据, 分析了279份回应, 采用了部分最小二乘结构方程建模（PLS-SEM）分析方法。

研究结果显示, 对服务机器人的负面认知和感知风险显著增加了员工的离职意向, 工作不安全感在这些关系中起到了中介作用。值得注意的是, 与老一辈相比, Z世代员工对服务机器人表现出明显不同的态度, 显示出不同世代群体对服务机器人的响应模式各异。

本研究通过揭示员工认知评估、世代差异和服务机器人引入在酒店业中的微妙互动, 对文献做出了贡献。所得的洞见为学术界和行业从业者提供了宝贵指导, 有助于制定策略, 促进服务机器人与工作人员的互利融合。

在酒店业运营的组织可以利用这些发现来定制干预措施, 解决由引入服务机器人引发的工作不安全感和离职意向问题。认识到不同世代群体的多样化观点, 组织可以实施有针对性的方法, 确保服务机器人技术的平稳过渡, 增强员工对其的接受度。

The purpose of this study was to investigate restaurant and foodservice workers’ perceptions of working with a service robot and the extent to which the workers’ well-being was impacted by a mandated service robot adoption.

This study used a qualitative methodology where 42 US restaurant and foodservice workers from two organizations were interviewed. The data analyzed generated 1,302 coded segments that clustered into six overarching themes.

The findings from this research revealed that restaurant and foodservice workers who regularly use service robots in the dining room experience a complex set of issues and challenges related to robot reliability, management training and support, leveraging the robot to entertain the customer, feelings of dread, anger and frustration, and indications of decreased physical exertion as a proxy for well-being.

As an initial qualitative investigation, the results of this study can be used as a starting point for quantitative investigations, as well as informing restaurant and foodservice industry stakeholders as to the best practices for a comprehensive and successful service robot adoption and integration.

This research presents an intersection between service robot technology acceptance with worker well-being using a broad range of frameworks including National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Future of Work, SERVQUAL and technology acceptance models to gain a deep and rich set of service worker perspectives.

本研究旨在调查餐厅和餐饮服务工作人员对与服务机器人合作的感知, 以及服务机器人采用对工作人员福祉的影响程度。

本研究采用定性方法, 对来自两家机构的42名美国餐厅和餐饮服务工作人员进行了访谈。分析的数据生成了1,302个编码段, 分为六个总体主题。

本研究的发现显示, 餐厅和餐饮服务工作人员在餐厅使用服务机器人时经历了一系列与机器人可靠性、管理培训和支持、利用机器人娱乐顾客、恐惧、愤怒和挫折感、以及作为福祉代理的身体活动减少相关的复杂问题和挑战。

作为初步的定性调查, 本研究的结果可作为定量调查的起点, 并向餐饮服务行业的利益相关者提供有关全面和成功采用和整合服务机器人的最佳实践。

本研究将服务机器人技术接受与工作人员福祉相结合, 利用包括NIOSH的未来工作、SERVQUAL和技术接受模型在内的广泛框架, 获得了丰富多样的服务工作者观点。

Drawing on the Service Robot Acceptance Model (sRAM) proposed by Wirtz et al. (2018), this study aims to examine how functional and social-emotional antecedents affect relational elements and the critical functions that trust and rapport play in robot acceptance in hotel services. Additionally, this study incorporates customer characteristics into the modified sRAM.

Consistent partial least squares (PLSc) was used to test the proposed model utilizing data collected from 456 Chinese customers.

The results indicated that effort expectancy and performance expectancy positively affect hotel guests’ trust toward and rapport with service robots. However, the effect of social influence on trust and rapport is insignificant. Additionally, perceived humanness and perceived social interactivity positively influence rapport, and perceived social presence positively affects both trust and rapport. Furthermore, trust and rapport positively influence hotel guests’ acceptance of service robots. The results also revealed the moderating role of age.

This study contributes to service robot literature by providing insights into how functional and social-emotional factors affect relational factors and the key role of relational factors in robot acceptance based on the sRAM. This study also advances this body of knowledge by highlighting the moderating effect of age.

基于Wirtz等人（2018）提出的服务机器人接受模型（sRAM）, 本研究旨在探讨功能性和社会-情感性前因如何影响关系元素, 以及信任和融洽在酒店服务中对机器人接受度的关键作用。此外, 本研究将顾客特征纳入修改后的 sRAM 中。

采用一致性偏最小二乘法（PLSc）对来自456名中国顾客的数据进行分析，以验证所提出的模型。

结果表明, 努力期望和绩效期望积极影响酒店客人对服务机器人的信任和融洽。然而, 社会影响对信任和融洽的影响不显著。此外, 感知人性化和感知社会互动积极影响融洽, 感知社会临场感积极影响信任和融洽。此外, 信任和融洽积极影响酒店客人对服务机器人的接受度。结果还揭示了年龄的调节作用。

本研究通过提供关于功能性和社会-情感性因素如何影响关系因素以及关系因素在机器人接受度中的关键作用的见解, 为服务机器人文献做出了贡献。本研究还通过强调年龄的调节效应, 推进了这一知识体系的发展。

Service robots are increasingly prevalent in the hospitality industry. While studies have explored the concept of service robot risk awareness (SRRA) – an employee’s perception of service robots posing a threat to human labor – the impact of SRRA on robot abuse and its emotional mechanism through which it affects employees remains unclear. This research leverages emotional appraisal theory to investigate the mediating role of fear of robots in the relationship between SRRA and robot abuse. Additionally, considering the influential role of leadership in shaping emotional appraisal, this study aims to examine the moderating impact of transformational leadership.

To test the proposed model, time-lagged survey data were collected from 283 employees working under 54 leaders in 18 hotels in China. The model was analyzed using multilevel modeling in Mplus 7.3.

At the individual level, SRRA indirectly increases robot abuse through the mediation of fear of robots. However, there is a cross-level moderation: the indirect relationship is alleviated when leaders exhibit high levels of transformational leadership.

This study pioneers the concept of robot abuse in hospitality and tourism settings. It extends emotional appraisal theory by highlighting the significant mediating role played by fear of robots. Furthermore, demonstrating how transformational leadership can mitigate the effects of SRRA offers valuable insights for leadership selection and training to facilitate the successful implementation of service robots.

服务机器人在酒店业中日益普及。虽然研究已探讨了服务机器人风险意识（SRRA）的概念——即员工对服务机器人构成对人力劳动的威胁感知, 但SRRA对辱虐机器人及其对员工的情绪机制的影响仍不清楚。本研究利用情绪评估理论调查了恐惧对SRRA与机器人滥用之间关系的中介作用。此外, 考虑到领导在塑造情绪评估中的重要作用, 本研究还考察了变革型领导力的调节影响。

为了测试提出的模型, 收集了来自中国18家酒店中54位领导下的283名员工的时滞调查数据。该模型使用Mplus 7.3中的多层建模进行分析。

在个体水平上, SRRA通过恐惧对机器人的中介作用间接增加了辱虐机器人。然而, 研究发现跨层次调节变量：当领导展现出较高水平的变革型领导力时, 间接关系得到缓解。

本研究首创了服务在酒店和旅游领域的辱虐机器人行为概念。它通过突出恐惧对机器人的重要中介作用, 扩展了情绪评估理论。此外, 展示了变革型领导如何缓解SRRA的影响, 为领导选聘和培训提供了有价值的见解, 促进了服务机器人的成功实施。

Given little light has been shed on the preference of Generation Z tourists or tourists from different cultural backgrounds toward service robot preference in hospitality contexts, this study aims to explore robot service preferences in the accommodation sector in the Chinese market, with a specific focus of Generation Z customers.

This study followed an exploratory sequential research design including two qualitative methods (i.e. projective techniques and semistructured interviews) to reach its objectives.

This study suggests that service robots are more preferred for routine tasks and gender differences exist in the preference of service robot’s anthropomorphism level. The preferences are driven by four factors based on different levels of hedonic and utilitarian values: experienced-hedonic value, utilitarian-hedonic value, task-relevant value and utilitarian value.

First, because of the exploratory nature of this study, the data interpretation is unavoidably subjective; therefore, the results can be confirmed by using a more rigorous research method. Second, this study only focuses on the preference of Generation Z customers in China in the hotel sector; as the cultural differences exist in different countries, this study’s findings cannot be readily generalized across populations and service contexts. Finally, this study fails to dig into the effect of gender differences on varying levels of anthropomorphic attributes.

As hotels adopt service robots more widely, managers need to identify customers’ service preferences and prioritize tasks between robots and human resources for more efficient service. Particularly important is understanding the benefits and challenges of specific robot implementations rather than looking for a one-size-fits-all mode of operation.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to understand robot service preference with regard to specific tourist groups in illustrating their preference for service delivery. Drawing on self-determination theory, this study potentially provides a theoretical basis for hotel service process optimization.

本研究从接待业情景出发, 针对中国Z世代游客在住宿业环境下对机器人服务使用偏好进行了探索性研究, 并对导致该偏好所产生的关键因素进行了探索。

本研究遵循了探索性次序研究设计步骤, 通过投射技术和半结构化访谈相结合的定性方法对本文研究目标进行了回答。

研究表明, 顾客对服务机器人日常服务事项表现出明显偏好, 但是, 对于服务机器人的拟人化水平偏好存在性别化差异。根据享乐主义和实用主义价值的不同维度角来看, 游客偏好差异的产生主要受到四种价值取向驱动, 包括：1）享乐—体验价值驱动; 2）实用—享乐价值驱动; 3）任务相关价值驱动; 4）实用价值驱动。

由于本研究是探索性研究, 且对投射技术和半结构化访谈数据的解释具有一定主观性, 建议未来通过更加严格的研究方法来验证分析结果。此外, 由于是在中国酒店行业特殊的语境和背景下进行的研究, 存在一定跨国文化差异, 其结论在跨种族和跨服务背景的适用性仍待进一步验证。最后, 本研究未能进一步深入探讨性别差异对不同层次拟人化属性的影响。

随着服务机器人在酒店业的普及, 管理者需要识别顾客的服务偏好, 在具体任务分配过程中, 需要对服务机器人和员工的使用安排进行优先等级划分, 以此全面提高服务效率。最重要的是, 要充分了解使用机器人的利与弊, 而不是通过一刀切的方式管理酒店服务。

本研究首次对特定游客群体（Z世代）对于服务机器人使用偏好进行了研究, 从自主决策理论出发阐述了他们对服务提供者的使用偏好差异及其驱动因素, 为优化酒店服务流程提供了理论指导和实证证据。

Este estudio se diseñó bajo una investigación secuencial exploratoria que incluyó dos métodos cualitativos (es decir, técnicas proyectivas y entrevistas semiestructuradas) para alcanzar sus objetivos.

Dado que se ha arrojado poca luz sobre la preferencia de los turistas de la Generación Z o de los turistas de diferentes orígenes culturales hacia los servicios de robótica en el sector alojativo, este estudio tiene como objetivo explorar las preferencias de servicios de robots en el sector del alojamiento en China, con un enfoque específico hacia la Generación Z.

Este estudio sugiere que los robots de servicio son más preferidos para tareas rutinarias, existiendo diferencias de género en la preferencia del nivel de antropomorfismo del robot de servicio. Las preferencias están impulsadas por cuatro factores basados en diferentes niveles de valores hedónicos y utilitarios: 1) valor hedónico experimentado, 2) valor hedónico utilitario, 3) valor relevante para la tarea y 4) valor utilitario.

Primero, debido a la naturaleza exploratoria de este estudio, la interpretación de los datos es inevitablemente subjetiva, por lo tanto, los resultados pueden confirmarse utilizando un método de investigación más riguroso. Además, este estudio solo se enfoca en la preferencia de los clientes de la Generación Z para el sector hotelero en China, ya que las diferencias culturales existentes en diferentes países, no pueden generalizarse fácilmente entre poblaciones y contextos de servicio. Por último, este estudio no profundiza en el efecto de las diferencias de género en los distintos niveles de atributos antropomórficos.

A medida que los hoteles vayan adoptando servicios con robots, los gerentes deberían identificar las preferencias de servicio de los clientes y priorizar tareas para robots o para recursos humanos cara a un servicio más eficiente. Particularmente importante es comprender los beneficios y desafíos de las implementaciones de robots específicos, en lugar de buscar un modo de operación único para todos.

Este es el primer estudio que comprende la preferencia de servicios de robots con respecto a grupos de turistas específicos para ilustrar su preferencia por la prestación de servicios. Basándose en la teoría de la autodeterminación, este estudio proporciona potencialmente una base teórica para la optimización del proceso de servicio del hotel.

Service robots offering low-contact services are trending in the hospitality industry. Nevertheless, there is limited empirical research on consumer perspectives. Using the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model, this study aims to investigate consumer acceptance of service robots and explores the relationships among stimuli (coolness and affinity), organisms (utilitarian and hedonic value) and responses (behavioral intention).

This study uses a purposive sampling method and conducts a questionnaire survey in restaurants with service robots in Taiwan. A total of 554 valid responses are analyzed, and confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling are performed.

The findings reveal that coolness and affinity positively influence utilitarian and hedonic values, whereas utilitarian and hedonic values positively affect behavioral intention. Additionally, these values mediate how coolness and affinity impact behavioral intentions, showing that coolness more significantly influences hedonic value, while affinity has a greater effect on utilitarian value.

As a theoretical basis, the SOR model examines the relationships among stimulus, organism and response. This study comprehensively investigates the factors influencing consumer perception toward service robots, testing the applicability of this theory in the food and beverage industry and expanding its practical value. Additionally, the author introduces the “fit” concept, indicating that, for maximum effect, coolness pairs best with hedonic value and affinity with utilitarian value.

提供低接触服务的服务机器人在酒店业中越来越受欢迎。然而, 关于消费者视角的实证研究仍然有限。本研究采用刺激-有机体-反应（SOR）模型, 调查消费者对服务机器人的接受度, 并探讨刺激（酷炫度和亲和力）、有机体（实用价值和享乐价值）和反应（行为意图）之间的关系。

本研究采用目的性抽样方法, 在台湾有服务机器人的餐厅进行问卷调查。共收集到554份有效问卷, 并进行了确认性因子分析和结构方程模型分析。

研究结果表明, 酷炫度和亲和力对实用价值和享乐价值有正向影响, 而实用价值和享乐价值对行为意图有正向影响。此外, 这些价值在酷炫度和亲和力对行为意图的影响中起中介作用, 表明酷炫度对享乐价值的影响更显著, 而亲和力对实用价值的影响更大。

本研究以SOR模型为理论基础, 检验了刺激、有机体和反应之间的关系。我们全面调查了影响消费者对服务机器人感知的因素, 测试了该理论在餐饮业中的适用性, 并扩展了其实际价值。此外, 我们引入了“匹配”概念, 指出为了达到最大效果, 酷炫度最好与享乐价值搭配, 而亲和力最好与实用价值搭配。

This study aims to investigate Generation Z’s perception of and experience with restaurant service robots.

Established on the servicescape theoretical framework and following Zaltman Metaphoric Elicitation Technique, 34 in-depth interviews were conducted with Generation Z consumers.

The results showed that Generation Z consumers had a generally positive attitude toward the usage of service robots in restaurants. Research participants also indicated aspects that can be improved: the service robot’s appearance design and functionality, and the human service facilitating the robotic service process.

This paper provides a holistic understanding of the Generation Z’s mind maps about robot service restaurants presenting practical suggestions for restaurants.

This research offers an in-depth understanding of how the young consumption power perceives and expects the innovative service robots employed in restaurants. The research findings provide industry practitioners with timely guidelines to improve the usage of robotic services in restaurants to satisfy the emerging consumer group of Generation Z.

The current research contributes to the servicescape literature by extending this long-standing theory to the emerging robotic service contexts for updating discoveries. Particularly, the study focuses on the young consumers of Generation Z, shedding lights on the generational cohort research.

本研究调查了 Z 世代对餐厅服务机器人的看法和体验。

建立在服务场景理论框架之上, 并遵循 Zaltman 隐喻启发技术, 对 Z 世代消费者进行了 34 次深入访谈。

结果表明, Z 世代消费者对在餐厅使用服务机器人持普遍积极态度。 研究参与者还指出了可以改进的方面：服务机器人的外观设计和功能, 以及促进机器人服务过程的人工服务。

这项研究深入了解了年轻的消费力量如何看待和期望在餐厅使用的创新服务机器人。 研究结果为行业从业者提供了及时的指导方针, 以改善机器人服务在餐厅的使用, 以满足 Z 世代的新兴消费群体。

当前的研究通过将这一长期存在的理论扩展到新兴的机器人服务环境以更新发现, 从而为服务景观文献做出贡献。 特别是, 该研究侧重于 Z 世代的年轻消费者, 阐明了世代队列研究。

This study aims to focus on tourists with physical disabilities and examine their perceptions of service robots in hotels and their influence on the overall experience, behavioral intentions and hotel attachment.

A survey was conducted via the Prolific platform to collect data from 409 respondents. The data was analyzed using partial least squares–based SEM.

The salient PLS-SEM findings show that perceived safety and functional benefits significantly affect a hotel's overall experience and intention to revisit. Perceived privacy did not relate to the hotel's overall experience and intention to revisit. Moreover, the hotel's overall experience significantly affects the intention to revisit, further influencing hotel attachment.

This research only examines the perceptions of tourists with physical disabilities of hotel service robots. Findings are based on a survey, and thus, the results cannot be generalized.

Current research indicates the impact of the intention to revisit and hotel attachment. Moreover, this study investigates the mediating role of overall hotel experience in the association between perceived privacy, perceived safety and functional benefits regarding revisit intention.

本研究关注身体残障游客, 并检查他们对酒店服务机器人的感知, 以及对整体体验、行为意图和酒店情感联系的影响。

通过Prolific平台进行调查, 收集了409名受访者的数据。数据使用PLS-SEM进行分析。

显著的PLS-SEM结果表明, 感知安全性和功能性收益显著影响酒店的整体体验和再次入住意愿。感知隐私与酒店的整体体验和再次入住意愿无关。此外, 酒店的整体体验显著影响再次入住意愿, 进而影响酒店情感联系。

本研究仅考察了身体残障游客对酒店服务机器人的感知。研究结果基于调查, 因此无法推广到整体。

当前研究表明再次入住意愿和酒店情感联系的影响。此外, 本研究探讨了整体酒店体验在感知隐私、感知安全和功能性收益与再次入住意愿之间的关联中的中介作用。

This study aims to investigate the effects of hotel customers’ perceived utilitarian and hedonic values on their intention to use service robots. In addition, the influences of innovativeness, ease of use and compatibility on hotel customers’ perceived utilitarian and hedonic values were examined.

The data of the current study was collected from 11 countries including the USA, UK, Turkey, Spain, Romania, Japan, Israel, India, Greece, Canada and Brazil. A structural equation modeling was used to test the study hypotheses.

The results indicated that hotel customers’ intention to use service robots was positively influenced by their utilitarian and hedonic value perceptions. In addition, customers’ perceptions of robots’ ease of use and compatibility had a positive impact on their perceived utilitarian and hedonic values.

The findings of the current study provide unique contributions in the context of hospitality robotics technology adoption literature. In addition, this study provides valuable insights and novel opportunities for hospitality decision-makers to capitalize on, as they strive to strategize the integration of robot-based services into their operations.

本研究调查了酒店顾客感知功能性价值和享乐性价值对服务机器人使用意向的影响。此外, 本研究考察了创新性、易用性和兼容性对酒店顾客感知功能性价值和享乐性价值的影响。

本研究的数据来自美国、英国、土耳其、西班牙、罗马尼亚、日本、以色列、印度、希腊、加拿大和巴西等十一个国家, 采用结构方程模型（SEM）对研究假设进行测试。

结果表明, 酒店顾客使用服务机器人的意向受到他们对功能性价值和享乐性价值的感知的积极影响。此外, 机器人易用性和兼容性对功能性价值和享乐性价值有积极影响。

本研究的发现对酒店行业机器人技术应用文献提供了独特的贡献。此外, 本研究为酒店业的决策者提供了宝贵的见解和新机遇, 使他们能够在将机器人服务的优势整合到酒店运营中。