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Article
Publication date: 12 December 2023

Titania Suwarto, Christof Pforr and Michael Volgger

Language and dialect, customs and service attitudes are just a few of the characteristics that make each culture unique. Consequently, the presence of people from different…

Abstract

Purpose

Language and dialect, customs and service attitudes are just a few of the characteristics that make each culture unique. Consequently, the presence of people from different cultures during a service encounter may impact service quality, as what constitutes good service quality is perceived differently across cultures. As a country with a multicultural society, culturally diverse migrants from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB) play an increasingly important role in the Australian hospitality and accommodation sector. Within this regional context, this study aims to contribute to a more robust understanding of the influence of workforce cultural diversity on different aspects of front-desk accommodation service quality in the accommodation industry.

Design/methodology/approach

In this qualitative study, 31 semi-structured in-depth interviews with guests, front-desk staff and managers at service apartments in Western Australia were conducted, followed by validation interviews with five hospitality human resource management experts.

Findings

The results of the interviews suggest that cultural diversity of NESB staff affects several aspects of Australian accommodation front-desk services, including communication quality, staff-guest interaction and guest satisfaction. Findings point out that culturally diverse NESB front-desk staff may face cross-cultural communication barriers due to different foreign accents and the presence of local slang, improve guest-staff interaction and the overall guest experience in case of similar cultural backgrounds with guests and provide authentic representations of multiculturalism in Australia.

Originality/value

The study sheds new light on tourists’ shifting perceptions and expectations of authenticity, particularly in Australia, where cultural diversity has increased in prominence. Moreover, in the Australian accommodation service, many NESB employees who have learned American/British English have difficulty conversing with people with Australian accents, especially when Australian slang is also present.

设计/方法论/途径

本项定性研究针对西澳大利亚州服务公寓的客户、前台工作人员和经理进行了 31 次半结构化深度访谈, 随后对五位酒店人力资源管理专家进行了验证性访谈

目的

语言和方言、习俗和服务态度是能体现每种文化独特性的几个特征。因此, 在服务过程中人们文化背景的差异可能会影响服务质量, 因为不同文化对于良好服务质量的认知各不相同。澳大利亚作为一个多元文化社会的国家, 其酒店和住宿行业的发展愈发受到来自非英语背景(NESB)的多元文化移民的影响。因而, 本研究以澳大利亚为案例地有助于更深入地了解劳动力文化多样性对住宿行业前台住宿服务质量的多层面影响。

调查结果

访谈结果表明, NESB 员工的文化多样性对于澳大利亚住宿前台服务的沟通质量、员工-宾客互动、以及宾客满意度等多方面都有影响。调查结果指出, 文化多元化的 NESB 前台工作人员:(1)可能由于不同的外国口音和当地俚语的存在而面临跨文化沟通障碍; (2) 接待相似文化背景的宾客时员工-宾客互动和整体宾客体验都会得到提升(3)代表澳大利亚多元文化的真实现状。

原创性/价值

本研究为游客对原真性的看法和期望的转变提供了新的线索, 特别是在文化多样性日益突出的澳大利亚。此外, 在澳大利亚的住宿服务中, 许多学习过美式/英式英语的NESB员工很难与带有澳大利亚口音的宾客沟通, 更何况还需面对澳大利亚俚语。

Objetivo

El idioma y el dialecto, las costumbres y las actitudes de servicio son sólo algunas de las características que hacen que cada cultura sea única. En consecuencia, la presencia de personas de diferentes culturas durante un encuentro de servicio puede repercutir en la calidad del servicio, ya que lo que constituye una buena calidad de servicio se percibe de forma diferente en las distintas culturas. Como país con una sociedad multicultural, los inmigrantes culturalmente diversos de origen no angloparlante (NESB) desempeñan un papel cada vez más importante en el sector de la hostelería y el alojamiento en Australia. Dentro de este contexto regional, este estudio contribuye a una comprensión más sólida de la influencia de la diversidad cultural de la mano de obra en diferentes aspectos de la calidad del servicio de recepción en el sector del alojamiento.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

En este estudio cualitativo se realizaron 31 entrevistas en profundidad semiestructuradas a huéspedes, personal de recepción y gerentes de apartamentos en Australia Occidental, seguidas de entrevistas de validación con cinco expertos en gestión de recursos humanos del sector de la hostelería.

Conclusiones

Los resultados de las entrevistas sugieren que la diversidad cultural del personal de los NESB afecta a varios aspectos de los servicios de recepción de los alojamientos australianos, como la calidad de la comunicación, la interacción entre el personal y los huéspedes y la satisfacción de éstos. Los hallazgos señalan que el personal de recepción de los NESB culturalmente diverso puede (1) enfrentarse a barreras de comunicación intercultural debido a los diferentes acentos extranjeros y a la presencia de jerga local, (2) mejorar la interacción huésped-personal y la experiencia general del huésped en caso de tener antecedentes culturales similares con los huéspedes, y (3) proporcionar representaciones auténticas del multiculturalismo en Australia.

Originalidad/valor

El estudio arroja nueva luz sobre las cambiantes percepciones y expectativas de autenticidad de los turistas, especialmente en Australia, donde la diversidad cultural ha cobrado mayor protagonismo. Además, en el servicio de alojamiento australiano, muchos empleados de NESB que han aprendido inglés americano/británico tienen dificultades para conversar con personas con acento australiano, sobre todo cuando también está presente la jerga australiana.

Article
Publication date: 9 February 2023

Ignatius Cahyanto, Bingjie Liu-Lastres and William Gallagher

Diasporas represent a unique yet often overlooked stakeholder in tourism crisis management. Their strong bonds with their homeland often result in continued engagement with an…

Abstract

Purpose

Diasporas represent a unique yet often overlooked stakeholder in tourism crisis management. Their strong bonds with their homeland often result in continued engagement with an extended community, which is valuable to their homeland during unsettling times. This study aims to examine the engagement of the Indonesian diaspora in the USA to revive tourism in Indonesia during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and their motivation behind such efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is rooted in a social constructivism paradigm and uses a qualitative approach. Four focus groups (n = 25) and ten individual interviews with the Indonesian diaspora in the USA were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to identify major themes.

Findings

The findings indicate that diaspora engagement stemmed from two broad categories: social activism, such as information liaison, skills and knowledge transfer, and economic activism, including philanthropic activities, investment and remittance and return-home travel. Both altruistic and social exchange motives drive their continuous engagement. The findings exemplify “diaspora diplomacy” that can be harnessed as social capital for homeland tourism recovery post-crisis.

Originality/value

This study provides an in-depth analysis of diaspora engagement in destination recovery. This study highlights the importance of diasporas as social capital for destinations and offers insights into tourism crisis management by incorporating this overlooked stakeholder group.

目的

侨民是旅游管理中一个独特但经常被忽视的利益相关群体。他们与祖国的紧密联系往往让他们团结在一起成为一个扩展社区, 并对于旅游目的地的灾后复苏做出贡献。本文通过实证研究来探索印度尼西亚侨民在新冠初期对于印度尼西亚旅游业做出的贡献以及他们的动机。

设计/方法/路径

本研究植根于社会建构主义范式并采用了定性方法。这个研究项目进行了四个焦点小组访谈和十个个人访谈。这个研究应用了主题分析方法来分析这些访谈数据。

结果

调查结果表明, 侨民群体在经济和社会方面都参与了目的地恢复。他们参与的动机主要是来自于(1)社会行动主义, 例如信息、技能、和知识的分享, 以及(2)社会行动主义, 包括募捐, 投资, 汇款和回国旅行。除此以外, 利他主义和社会交换动机也推动了他们的持续参与活动。 这些研究结果也表明了“侨民外交”可以作为有效推动旅游目的地的灾后复苏。

原创性

本研究深入分析了侨民参与目的地恢复的情况。本研究强调了侨民作为目的地社会资本形式的重要性, 并通过整合这个被忽视的利益相关者群体为旅游危机管理提供了见解。

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Este estudio se basó en el paradigma de constructivismo social y empleó un enfoque cualitativo. Se realizaron cuatro grupos focales (n = 25) y diez entrevistas individuales con emigrantes indonesios en Estados Unidos. Se utilizó el análisis temático para identificar los temas principales.

Propósito

La dispersión de grupos humanos que abandonan su lugar de origen, también denominado, diáspora o emigrantes, representan un grupo único y, sin embargo, a menudo ignorado en la gestión del turismo. Sus fuertes lazos con su tierra natal a menudo dan como resultado una relación con una comunidad extendida, la cual es valiosa para su tierra natal durante tiempos difíciles. Este estudio examinó el rol de los emigrantes indonesios en Estados Unidos para revivir el turismo en Indonesia durante las primeras etapas de la pandemia de COVID-19 y su motivación detrás de esos esfuerzos.

Resultados

Los hallazgos muestran que el rol de la diáspora provino de dos amplias categorías: 1) activismo social, como transferencia de información, transferencia de habilidades y conocimientos, y 2) activismo económico, incluidas actividades filantrópicas, inversión y remesas, y viajes de regreso a casa. Tanto los motivos altruistas como los de intercambio social son las causas de esta relación. Los hallazgos ejemplifican la “diplomacia de la diáspora” que puede ser aprovechada como capital social para la recuperación del turismo en tierra natal después de una crisis.

Originalidad

Este estudio ofrece un análisis profundo del rol de la diáspora en la recuperación del turismo. Este estudio destaca la importancia de los emigrantes como capital social para los destinos y ofrece información sobre el manejo de crisis turísticas mediante la incorporación de este interesante pero ignorado grupo.

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2018

Carola Raab, Orie Berezan, Natasa Christodoulidou, Lan Jiang and Stowe Shoemaker

Hoteliers are often frustrated by the significant fees charged for bookings by Online Travel Agents (OTAs), and they try to encourage more direct bookings that circumvent the OTA…

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Abstract

Purpose

Hoteliers are often frustrated by the significant fees charged for bookings by Online Travel Agents (OTAs), and they try to encourage more direct bookings that circumvent the OTA system. However, there are billions of dollars of room revenues generated by OTAs every year; and many companies in other industries sell their products through multiple channels. The purpose of this study is to investigate how hotel revenue managers can collaborate successfully with OTAs.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative methods are applied in this study, specifically focus groups and in-person interviews with market managers of a leading OTA. Content analysis is performed, using ATLASti 5, to discover emerging themes and categories from the transcripts.

Findings

This study highlights several OTA value propositions and how hotels can benefit from them. Additionally, the findings of this study reveal that effective two-way communication between OTAs and revenue managers is the key to success. An “optimization loop” is established, which specifies that partnership and collaboration between OTAs and hotels must occur in a circular sequence of communication, engagement, collaboration and strategy.

Research limitations/implications

A major limitation for this study is that interviews were conducted only with market managers, limiting the perspective to that of OTAs.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of research and dialogue discussing productive relationships between OTAs and hotel firms. Through in-depth in-person interviews with a diverse set of market managers from a leading OTA, this study brings to light an array of perspectives of what is required to optimize the OTA/hotelier relationship.

研究目的

酒店经营者常常受到在线旅行社(OTA)收取高额预订费用的困扰。酒店试图鼓励客人直接预订房间,绕过OTA程序。然而,每年OTA贡献仍有数以十亿计美金的订房收入; 其他行业的很多公司采用多渠道销售产品。本论文研究目的在于探索酒店经理人们如何能够成功地与OTA合作。

研究设计/方法/途径

本论文采用定性研究方法,主要以小组讨论和个人访谈的形式,与一家行业领先的OTA市场经理们进行深度访谈。本论文借用ATLASti 5 内容分析工具进行样本分析,总结出主题和分类。

研究结果

本论坛提出了多个OTA价值组成,以及酒店如何从中盈利。此外,本论文还指出了OTA和财务经理的有效双向交流的重要性。其中,需要建立“循环展开”(Optimization Loop),即OTA和酒店之间的合作交流需要建立在循环、有序、通畅、以及战略的基础上。

研究理论限制/意义

本论文一个主要的理论限制就是只采访了OTA的市场经理。

研究原创性/价值

理论上,关于OTA和酒店之间的战略合作的讨论,我们知之甚少。本论文采用与一家行业领先的OTA市场经理们的深入访谈,将这一合作关系进行积极讨论分析,提供一系列优化战略合作的方案和见解。

关键词

在线旅行社(OTA),酒店订房收入,合作关系,Expedia,市场经理,收入优化

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9880

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 December 2021

Dimitrios Buhalis and Iuliia Moldavska

Voice assistants (VAs) empower human–computer interactions by recognising human speech and implementing commands pronounced by users. This paper aims to investigate VA-enabled…

3940

Abstract

Purpose

Voice assistants (VAs) empower human–computer interactions by recognising human speech and implementing commands pronounced by users. This paper aims to investigate VA-enabled interactions between hotels and guests in the hospitality context. The research positions VAs within the artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) context, disrupting old practices and processes. Smart hospitality uses VAs to support effortless value cocreation for guests cost-effectively. The research examines consumer perceptions and expectations of hospitality VAs and explores VA capabilities through expert technology providers.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical paper investigates the current use and future implications of VAs for hotel environments. It uses qualitative, semi-structured in-depth interviews with 7 expert hospitality VA technology providers and 21 hotel guests who have VA experience. The research adopts a demand and supply approach, addressing the VAs in hospitality holistically.

Findings

The findings illustrate the requirements from both end-users’ sides, hotels and guests, exploring VA advantages and challenges. The analysis demonstrates that VAs increasingly become digital assistants. VA technology helps hotels to improve customer service, expand operational capability and reduce costs. Although in its infancy, VA technology has made progress towards optimising hotel operations and upgrading customer service. The study proposes a speech-enabled interactions model.

Research limitations/implications

This research stimulates the transformation of hospitality services by using VAs and the development of smart hospitality and tourism ecosystems. The study can benefit from further research with hotel managers, to reflect hoteliers’ points of view and investigate their perception of VAs. Further research can also explore different aspects of consumer–VA interaction in different contexts.

Practical implications

The paper makes a significant contribution to hospitality management and human–computer interaction best practices. It supports technology providers to reconsider how to develop suitable technology solutions towards improving their strategic competitiveness. It also explains how to use VAs cost-effectively and profitably while adding value to travellers’ experience.

Originality/value

VA studies are often focussed on the technology in private households, rather than in commercial or hotel spaces. This paper contributes to the emerging literature on AI and IoT in smart hospitality and explores the acceptance and operationalisation of VAs. The research contributes to the conceptualisation of VA-enabled hotel services and explores positive and negative features, as well as future prospects.

研究目的

语音(数码, 虚拟或者人工智能)(VAs) 助理能够识别真人声音和系统指令声音从而为人机互动提供助力。 本研究基于酒店业已有的案例探索了酒店和客人语言支持的互动的本质。本研究探索了关于客房服务的表现和实用性的顾客认知和顾客期望。

研究设计/方法/途径

本研究借用了定性半结构化深入访谈来收集一手数据, 调查了酒店环境中的语音助理目前的运用情况和未来影响。本研究访谈了7位酒店科技服务提供者和21位有使用个人智能扬声器经验的酒店客人。本研究以供需模型来全方位解决此项问题。

研究发现

研究结论强调了从双方使用者(酒店和客人)角度考量, 并且考虑到语音仪器带来的所有的优势和挑战的重要性。基于顾客之前对这些仪器的使用经验, 本论文深入阐述了对公共空间这些语音助理的使用功能。本分析证明了由AI技术支持下, VAs 可以灵活的识别语音。VAs理解词汇内容并且也懂得词汇作为数据助手来支持智能家庭的自动化以及履行商业职责背后的意义来。酒店从业人员可以尝试运用此科技来提高用户体验, 扩展运营空间和减少成本。从访谈的数据可以证明, 尽管还在初级阶段, VAs 科技已经对酒店运营优化和晋级客户服务做出了显著的贡献和成就。本研究提出了一项介于酒店和客人之间的VA 语言支持的互动模型。

研究原创性/价值

之前的研究主要针对私人使用, 而不是商业或者酒店空间。考虑到敌对环境和客人和酒店的文化差异, 旅游和酒店成为了尤其有挑战性的领域。本研究通过语音识别革新了酒店服务。本研究针对VAs接受程度和运用进行详细研究从而为酒店领域的AI和IoT提供了专业文献。本文为酒店服务中的VAs使用做出了开拓性的调查并且探讨了正面以及负面的特征和未来展望。

研究局限/意义

本研究为酒店和旅游管理补充了文献, 尤其是在酒店业人机互动领域。本研究通过语音识别技术对酒店服务的转型革新做出贡献。此项研究可以受益于以酒店管理者为视角的进一步研究。相比于收集科技设备供应方的见解, 对酒店管理者进行访谈可以提供更直接的信息来了解酒店员工对数码语音助理和对语音科技的总体接受程度。

实践意义

酒店经常寻求途径来提高和客户的互动。本论文对酒店管理和人机互动领域提供了应用典例。本研究提供了酒店客人针对语音设备功能性的总体评价作为有价值的信息, 进而帮助科技提供者来重新审视针对顾客需要从而量身定制服务的策略和方式。最终, 本研究在提高行业战略竞争力层面分享了关于发展和采用此项强大有力科技的见解。

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9880

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 February 2024

Ivana Rihova and Matthew Alexander

Tourists’ resource integration both offers opportunities and presents challenges to tourism service providers. Focussing on the tour guide perspective, the purpose of this paper…

Abstract

Purpose

Tourists’ resource integration both offers opportunities and presents challenges to tourism service providers. Focussing on the tour guide perspective, the purpose of this paper is to explore how tour guides experience knowledge/information-based asymmetry in encounters with tourists and identifies the roles and coping strategies used by guides to facilitate service co-production.

Design/methodology/approach

Critical incident technique is used in qualitative interviews with 47 tour guides in Scotland, broadly representative of the Scottish tour guiding context. 107 critical incidents were analysed, with an average of 2.32 incidents per interview. Narrative analysis of the incidents was performed inductively in four iterative steps using QSR NVivo.

Findings

Three resource asymmetry incident categories are identified: probing – Guide-Oracle is questioned by inquiring tourists and copes through diverting, evasion, and follow-up strategies; learning – Guide-Magpie learns from expert tourists through acknowledging and co-delivery; and negotiation – Guide-Diplomat with greater knowledge helps misguided tourists save face through appeasing, following the official line and tactfully correcting.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to service co-production research in tourism by theorising about contexts where knowledge/information asymmetry exists between tour guides and tourists, particularly where fluid power relations between guides and knowledgeable tourists occur or where misguided tourists co-produce the service by prioritising own meanings. Findings highlight the importance of soft skills and other non-content capabilities of guides, and suggestions are offered for effective training and resource sharing/ learning initiatives for tour guiding services.

目的

游客资源整合为旅游服务提供商提供了机遇, 同时也带来了挑战。本文以导游视角为重点, 探讨了导游在与游客接触中如何体验知识/信息不对称, 并识别了导游用于促进服务共同生产的角色和应对策略。

方法

本研究采用关键事件技术(CIT)进行质性访谈, 对象为苏格兰的47名导游, 广泛代表苏格兰导游环境。分析了107个关键事件, 每次访谈平均2.32个事件。对事件的叙述分析在QSR NVivo中通过四个迭代步骤进行归纳性分析。

发现

确定了三个资源不对称的事件类别:1)探询 - 导游-神谕被询问, 通过转移、回避和后续策略来应对询问的游客; 2)学习 - 导游-喜鹊通过承认和共同交付从专业游客中学到经验; 3)协商 - 导游-外交官以更多知识帮助误导的游客保全体面, 通过安抚、追随官方路线和巧妙纠正来应对。

独创性

本文通过理论化导游和游客之间存在知识/信息不对称的情境, 特别是在导游和知识丰富的游客之间存在流动权力关系的情况下, 或者误导的游客通过优先考虑自己的意义来共同生产服务的情境, 为旅游服务的共同生产研究做出了贡献。研究结果强调了导游的软技能和其他非内容能力的重要性, 并提出了关于为导游服务提供有效培训和资源共享/学习倡议的建议。

Propósito

La integración de recursos de los turistas ofrece oportunidades y presenta desafíos para los proveedores de servicios turísticos. Centrándose en la perspectiva de los guías turísticos, este artículo explora cómo los guías turísticos experimentan una asimetría basada en conocimiento/información en encuentros con turistas, e identifica los roles y estrategias de afrontamiento utilizados por los guías para facilitar la coproducción de servicios.

Metodología

La técnica de incidentes críticos (CIT) se utiliza en entrevistas cualitativas con 47 guías turísticos en Escocia, ampliamente representativos del contexto de los guías turísticos escoceses. Se analizaron 107 incidentes críticos, con una media de 2,32 incidentes por entrevista. El análisis narrativo de los incidentes se realizó de forma inductiva en cuatro pasos iterativos utilizando QSR NVivo.

Hallazgos

Se identifican tres categorías de incidentes de asimetría de recursos: 1) Sondeo: los turistas interrogan a Guide-Oracle y lo afronta mediante estrategias de desvío, evasión y seguimiento; 2) Aprendizaje: Guide-Magpie aprende de turistas expertos a través del reconocimiento y la entrega conjunta; y 3) Negociación: el guía-diplomático con mayor conocimiento ayuda a los turistas descarriados a salvar las apariencias apaciguándolos, siguiendo la línea oficial y corrigiendo con tacto.

Originalidad

El artículo contribuye a la investigación de la coproducción de servicios en el turismo al teorizar sobre contextos donde existe asimetría de conocimiento/información entre guías turísticos y turistas, particularmente donde ocurren relaciones de poder fluidas entre guías y turistas conocedores, o donde turistas equivocados coproducen el servicio priorizando propios significados. Los hallazgos resaltan la importancia de las habilidades interpersonales y otras capacidades de los guías no relacionadas con el contenido, y se ofrecen sugerencias para iniciativas efectivas de capacitación e intercambio de recursos/aprendizaje para los servicios de guías turísticos.

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2024

Duncan Light, Cristina Lupu, Remus Creţan and Anya Chapman

The purpose of this paper is to examine souvenir sellers as unconventional micro-entrepreneurs, focusing on non-economic motives for selling.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine souvenir sellers as unconventional micro-entrepreneurs, focusing on non-economic motives for selling.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative methodology was used. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 20 souvenir sellers in the Romanian city of Timişoara. These were analysed using thematic analysis which identified four non-economic motives for selling souvenirs.

Findings

Souvenir selling was a matter of choice rather than economic necessity. While these sellers were entrepreneurs who were seeking to generate income, non-economic motives were also important. These included passion, hobbyism and interpersonal interactions with customers. Some sellers considered themselves as cultural intermediaries, representing place and tradition to their customers.

Research limitations/implications

In a European context, selling souvenirs can be a matter of lifestyle choice rather than economic necessity. Micro-entrepreneurs are frequently motivated by passion, hobbyism and interpersonal rewards as much as financial profit. This represents a particular form of unconventional or lifestyle entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

The encouragement of on-street souvenir sellers by urban managers can add vibrancy to a city, enhancing the experiences of local communities and visitors. This can also encourage the development of an artisan class to enhance a city’s reputation as a creative place.

Originality/value

Souvenir sellers are little researched, and this is one of few studies that has investigated this group outside Developing World contexts. This study emphasises the importance of unconventional entrepreneurship and non-economic motives for selling souvenirs in a European context.

目的

本研究将纪念品销售商这类非传统微型企业家群体作为研究对象, 重点关注其销售纪念品的非经济动机。

设计/方法论/途径

本研究主要采用定性的研究方法, 对20位罗马尼亚蒂米什瓦拉市的纪念品销售商进行了半结构化访谈。通过对访谈结果的主题分析, 本研究发现并提炼出了纪念品销售商的4种非经济动机。

发现

纪念品销售并非经济上的必然选择, 而更多地体现为一种个体的自主决策。尽管这些销售商本质上仍是追求经济回报的企业家, 其销售活动背后的非经济动机同样重要。这些动机包括对事业的激情、业余爱好, 以及与顾客之间的人际互动等。一些销售商视自身为文化传播的中介, (在销售活动中)向顾客展示地域与传统的象征。

研究限制/启示

在欧洲的语境下, 纪念品销售通常被视为一种生活方式的选择而非经济的迫切需要。微型企业家的销售行为通常受到对事业的激情、业余爱好以及人际关系的多重因素的推动, 而非单纯由经济利益驱使。这呈现出一种独特的非传统生活方式创业形态。

实际应用启示

城市管理者可以通过默许纪念品销售商在市区进行销售活动的方式为城市注入活力, 提升当地社区和游客的体验。这同时有助于培养手工艺术家阶层, 进一步增强城市作为创意之地的声誉。

研究独创性/价值

纪念品销售商的相关研究相对比较有限, 本研究在探讨这一群体时跳脱了发展中国家的框架, 同时强调了在欧洲环境下非传统创业和销售纪念品的非经济动机的重要性。

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Se utilizó una metodología cualitativa. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a 20 minoristas de recuerdos (souvenirs) de la ciudad rumana de Timişoara. Las entrevistas se analizaron mediante un análisis temático que permitió identificar cuatro motivos no económicos para la comercialización de recuerdos.

Objetivo

Este artículo examina a los comerciantes de souvenirs como micro emprendedores no convencionales, centrándose en los motivos no económicos para su venta.

Conclusiones

La venta de souvenirs era una cuestión de elección más que de necesidad económica. Aunque estos vendedores eran emprendedores que buscaban generar ingresos, los motivos no económicos también eran importantes. Entre ellos, la pasión, la afición y las interacciones interpersonales con los clientes. Algunos vendedores se consideraban intermediarios culturales que representaban el lugar y la tradición ante sus clientes.

Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación

En un contexto europeo, la venta de recuerdos puede ser una cuestión de elección de estilo de vida más que de necesidad económica. Los micro emprendedores suelen estar motivados por la pasión, la afición y las recompensas interpersonales tanto como por el beneficio económico. Esto representa una forma particular de espíritu empresarial no convencional o de estilo de vida.

Implicaciones prácticas

El fomento de los vendedores ambulantes de souvenirs por parte de los gestores urbanos puede aportar dinamismo a una ciudad, mejorando las experiencias de las comunidades locales y de los visitantes. Esto también puede fomentar el desarrollo de una clase artesanal para mejorar la reputación de una ciudad como lugar creativo.

Originalidad/valor

Los comerciantes de souvenirs están poco investigados, y éste es uno de los pocos estudios que ha investigado este grupo fuera de los contextos del mundo en desarrollo. Destaca la importancia del espíritu empresarial no convencional y de los motivos no económicos para la venta de recuerdos en un contexto europeo.

Article
Publication date: 21 July 2022

Yujia Chen, Tao Xue, Aarni Tuomi and Ziya Wang

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…

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Abstract

Purpose

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.

Design/methodology/approach

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

Findings

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.

Research limitations/implications

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.

Practical implications

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.

Originality/value

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.

目的

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。

设计/方法学/方法

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。

研究发现

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。

研究局限/启示

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。

实践启示

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。

原创性/价值

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。

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

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.

Propósito

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.

Conclusiones

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.

Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación

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.

Implicaciones prácticas

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.

Originalidad/valor

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.

Article
Publication date: 9 August 2021

Birendra KC and Xi Y. Leung

The purpose of this study is to apply the triangle model of technology and the technology readiness index (TRI) in a qualitative study design to explore the geocaching phenomenon…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to apply the triangle model of technology and the technology readiness index (TRI) in a qualitative study design to explore the geocaching phenomenon in state parks.

Design/methodology/approach

A framework was developed to examine the triangular relationships between the park, geocaching and visitors. A total of 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Texas state park officials. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data.

Findings

Three types of interactions (i.e. park-visitor, visitor-technology and park-technology) were identified. Although geocaching leads to positive recreational experiences for park visitors, the study also revealed the decreasing popularity of geocaching along with park officials’ apprehension regarding the placement of caches. The findings suggest that Texas state parks fall within the “Avoiders” stage in terms of technology readiness because of a low level of optimism and innovation and a high level of discomfort and insecurity toward geocaching technology.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the extant literature by adding new knowledge regarding geocaching in the context of state parks. This study is one of the first to apply the triangle model of technology to examine the trilateral relationships between parks, geocaching and visitors. The study also innovatively adopts the TRI in a qualitative study to identify the technology readiness stage of state parks.

研究目的

本研究旨在运用科技三角模型以及科技准备度指数(TRI)以定性研究为方法来探索地理藏宝这一现象。

研究设计/方法/途径

本研究为探索公园, 地理藏宝以及访客的三角结构关系提出了理论框架。研究对德克萨斯州立公园行政人员进行了12项半结构化访谈。主题分析发进行了访谈数据分析。

研究结果

研究发现了三种形式的互动:公园访客, 访客科技装备, 和公园的科技装备。尽管地理藏宝活动提高了公园访客的体验, 本研究通过公园人员的视角也发现访客的热情有所降低。研究结果发现德州州立公园在科技准备度意义来说仍处于“回避”阶段, 基于较低的积极度和创新意识, 以及对地理藏宝活动表现较高的不适以及不安。

研究原创性/价值

本研究为已有的文献增添了有关州立公园地理藏宝的新发现。本研究是首次运用科技三角模型来研究公园, 地理藏宝和访客之间的三边关系。本论文也创新性的在定性研究中运用了TRI对州立公园科技准备度进行研究。

Article
Publication date: 24 August 2021

Aslı Ersoy and Rüya Ehtiyar

The purpose of this study is to use the grounded theory approach to develop a theoretical understanding of managerial resourcefulness in Turkish culture from the perspective of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use the grounded theory approach to develop a theoretical understanding of managerial resourcefulness in Turkish culture from the perspective of both hospitality managers and subordinates.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts the grounded theory approach to systematically analyze the real experience of participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 55 participants, namely, 15 general managers and 40 department managers of five star hotels in Antalya. Computer-based qualitative data analysis software (NVivo 10) was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The data from the interviews suggest that Turkish managers can regulate their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors while performing their managerial tasks. Furthermore, they are acutely aware of the role of subordinates in maximizing managerial and organizational efficiency and place such priorities at the center of the organization. The role of culture on managerial resourcefulness is visible. Despite this, organizations are not affected by the high power distance culture within the country. Specifically, managers have a management model based on mutual trust with their subordinates, giving importance to their feelings, thoughts and well-being, communicating strongly with them, expressing appreciation and gratitude for them, and emphasizing human values.

Originality/value

The paper is the first attempt to develop a hotel-specific model of managerial resourcefulness, which could serve as a theoretical foundation in the further examination of managerial resourcefulness. Therefore, this study contributes to the existing literature by shedding light on the importance of sector-specific competencies in effectively managing subordinates in Turkish culture.

研究目的

本研究运用了扎根理论作为研究方法旨在运用酒店管理者和下属员工的双重视角来研发在土耳其背景下的管理智慧的理论认知。

研究设计/方法/途径

本研究采用了扎根理论来系统分析参与受访者的真实体验。对55位来自安塔利亚一座五星级酒店的15位总经理和40位部门经理进行了半结构化的访谈。计算机定性研究软件(NVivo 10)用来分析数据.

研究结果

访谈结果表明土耳其的管理者可以在履行职责的时候有效控制情绪, 思想和行为。他们能够尖锐的认识到组织下属对于最大程度优化组织效率的重要性, 并且将其放在组织的中心。本土文化在管理智慧中起到了可见的作用。尽管如此, 组织并没有受到本土高权力距离文化的影响。特别指出的是, 管理者采用以互相信任而建立起来的管理模型, 重视下属的情绪, 思想和主观幸福感, 并且强调沟通, 善于表达对下属的感谢和欣赏, 以及重视人文价值。

研究原创性/价值

本研究是首次提出了以酒店为背景管理智慧模型, 从而可以为今后的管理智慧研究提供理论基础。因此, 本研究强调了以土耳其为文化背景行业特定的专业能力在有效管理属下过程中的重要性, 从而补充了已有文献。

Article
Publication date: 13 December 2021

Katrin Schwaiger, Anita Zehrer and Boris Braun

This study targeted hospitality family business owners as essential pillars of the tourism industry. How they perceive aspects of the crisis and what they derive organizational…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study targeted hospitality family business owners as essential pillars of the tourism industry. How they perceive aspects of the crisis and what they derive organizational resilience from, including the role of their human resources, are explored. Internal and external factors of resilience are analyzed alongside different levels of resilience action.

Design/methodology/approach

The World Health Organization announced coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. In Tirol, the hospitality industry has particularly been affected as tourism businesses find themselves in the challenging times of returning to normal business, corresponding to the fourth phase in Faulkner’s (2001) Tourism Disaster Management Framework. The authors used a qualitative exploratory approach, using semi-structured interviews.

Findings

In taking on a holistic explorative approach, the authors determined several methods used by entrepreneurs in dealing with a pandemic crisis to increase business resilience at a specific stage. Internal and external resilience factors have been detected among three levels of resilience action (personal, regional and governmental). The most surprising result of the semi-structured in-depth interviews was the entrepreneurs’ rather positive outlook.

Originality/value

Generally, this study creates an in-depth understanding of the tourism businesses in their dealing with a global crisis, using family business owners as an exemplary stakeholder group. The authors bridge a gap in the literature by applying a holistic explorative approach in the early stage of a never seen worldwide crisis and by addressing organizational resilience. Three levels of resilience action give new insight into how the beginning of a pandemic crisis is handled and perceived by hospitality family business entrepreneurs.

目的

本研究的重点是作为区域旅游业骨干的酒店业家庭企业业主。探讨了他们如何应对危机, 以及他们如何看待自己的组织复原力, 包括其人力资源的作用。该研究进一步确定了企业业主的具体角色, 即在处理危机时的不同性格和个人处事方法。

设计/方法/途径

世界卫生组织(WHO)于2020年3月11日宣布了COVID-19的大流行。在蒂罗尔州, 酒店业尤其受到政府措施和旅行禁令的影响。在本研究中, 旅游企业发现自己正处于恢复正常业务的挑战期, 相当于Faulkner(2001)的旅游灾难管理框架中的第四阶段。本研究采用半结构化访谈的定性探索方法来研究问题并得出结论。

研究结果

在采取全面的探索性方法时, 我们发现企业家在特定阶段有几种处理大流行病危机的方法, 以提高企业的复原力。半结构化深度访谈得到最令人惊讶的结果是企业家们相当乐观的心态。

原创性/价值

总的来说, 这项研究以家庭企业业主为示范性的利益相关者群体, 取得了对旅游业处理诸如Covid-19大流行病等危机的更好理解。由于小型家庭企业对旅游和酒店业的重要性, 本研究以Faulkner(2001) 的旅游灾难管理框架为指导工具, 为旅游背景下的危机管理提供了新的视角。

Objetivo

Este estudio se centra en los propietarios de empresas familiares de hostelería que funcionan como la columna vertebral de la industria turística regional. Se explora cómo afrontan la crisis y cómo perciben su propia resiliencia organizativa, incluido el papel de sus recursos humanos.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) anunció una pandemia de COVID-19 el 11 de marzo de 2020. En el Tirol, la industria hotelera se ha visto particularmente afectada por medidas gubernamentales y prohibiciones de viaje. En el presente estudio, las empresas turísticas se encuentran en tiempos difíciles para volver a sus actividades normales, correspondientes a la cuarta fase del Tourism Disaster Management Framework de Faulkner (2001). Se utilizó un enfoque exploratorio cualitativo mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas para responder a la pregunta de investigación y sacar conclusiones.

Resultados

Al adoptar un enfoque exploratorio holístico, encontramos varias formas en las que los empresarios se enfrentan a una crisis pandémica para aumentar la resiliencia empresarial en una etapa específica. El resultado más sorprendente de las entrevistas en profundidad semiestructuradas fue el estado de ánimo bastante optimista entre los emprendedores.

Originalidad/valor

En general, el estudio crea una mejor comprensión de cómo la industria del turismo está lidiando con una crisis como la pandemia Covid-19, utilizando a los propietarios de empresas familiares como un grupo de partes interesadas ejemplar. Cubrimos una brecha en la literatura aplicando un enfoque exploratorio holístico y abordando la resiliencia organizacional abiertamente, lo que lleva a tres perspectivas que van desde el gobierno, la región y el individuo (percepciones de los propietarios de empresas familiares) en el contexto del Marco de gestión de desastres turísticos de Faulkner (2001).

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