Hospitality Administration and Management Commons^™

Putting Humanity First In Service Robotics: For Me, Robotics Is About Giving Hospitality Teams The Breathing Room To Care More Deeply For People., Manuel Rivera, Cynthia Mejia

Rosen Research Review

In an engaging conversation with Juan Higueros, Co-Founder and COO of Bear Robotics, we explore his vision for human-centered robotics and how technology can empower hospitality teams to deliver deeper, more meaningful guest experiences.

Sky-High Expectations: How Drones And Emotions Are Reshaping Food Delivery In Africa, Frank Badu-Baiden, Weisheng Chiu, Eudora Hagan, Victor Anderson Hodibert

Rosen Research Review

The research by Badu-Baiden, Chiu, Hagan, and Hodibert unpacks the emotional, social, and psychological puzzle behind consumer acceptance of drone food delivery in Ghana. Using complexity theory and fsQCA, the study shows multiple adoption paths. Motivation, emotion, perceived risk, and social influence shape intention and willingness to pay. Positive emotions and usefulness drive interest, while privacy concerns and negative feelings hinder it. Trust and cultural context matter deeply.

Boarding By Biometrics: How Smart Technology Is Reshaping Passenger Experience, Xiaoting Chi, Frank Badu-Baiden, Seongseop (Sam) Kim, Junwei Cao, Elena-Nicoleta Untaru, Heekyoung Jung, Heesup Han

Rosen Research Review

The research by Chi, Badu-Baiden, Kim, Cao, Untaru, Jung, and Han explores how biometric boarding transforms airline travel. Using technology acceptance, agenda setting, and behavioral reasoning theories, the study reveals how ease of use, usefulness, media exposure, and attitudes shape adoption. Findings stress convenience, engagement, and targeted communication, with age and gender influencing responses. For airport managers and designers, the research offers practical strategies for secure, efficient, and passenger-centered boarding systems.

The Pleasure Principle: Why Enjoyment May Be The Missing Link In Ai Adoption, Arthur Huang, Ahmet Bulent Ozturk, Tingting Zhang, Efren De La Mora Velasco, Adam Haney

Rosen Research Review

The research by Huang, Ozturk, Zhang, de la Mora Velasco, and Haney reveals a compelling insight: enjoyment—not just efficiency—is a key driver of whether guests will continue using AI in hospitality and tourism. By expanding the expectation-confirmation model, the study shows that perceived enjoyment, alongside performance and satisfaction, plays a pivotal role in shaping future use intentions. This shift toward hedonic value reframes how hoteliers and tourism professionals should design and promote AI services. The findings suggest that delight, fun, and emotional resonance are just as important as functionality when it comes to long-term engagement with AI-powered experiences.

A Mechanistic Model Of The Wash Shuffle And Monte Carlo Exploration Of Its Impact On Card Shuffling In Texas Hold’Em, Michael A. Alexeev, Peter B. Chi

UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal

In casino games using a standard deck of cards, a wash shuffle is sometimes performed prior to the rest of the card shuffling procedure. Unlike other methods of shuffling, the wash shuffle has not yet been well studied. To this end, we first develop a mechanistic model of the wash shuffle based on our observation of how cards tend to move when a wash shuffle is being performed. Then, we use this model to simulate the card shuffling procedure used in casino poker rooms, and explore the resulting impact on where the cards are dealt in the context of Texas …

Humanity Is Evolving Its Consciousness: The Role Of Archetypal Energies As Guides During An Unfolding Weeding Out And Alignment Process, Carroy U. Ferguson

Psychology Faculty Publication Series

Humanity is evolving its consciousness at individual and collective levels.  Given these seemingly tumultuous times, as of this writing (January 2026), to make such a statement may sound like a strange thing to say.  However, I suggest that if you are alive today and if you are reading these words, these are the very times for which you were born—to assist Humanity as it evolves its consciousness with your unique gifts, whatever they may be.  That is, this period of our individual and collective human being-ness may be characterized as an unfolding period of weeding out and alignment with the …

From Miso To Tray-C: The Impact Of Hedonic And Utilitarian Name Preference On Non-Humanoid Service Robots In Restaurants, Fatmah Almeer, Amit Sharma

ICHRIE Research Reports

Service robots are become common in the restaurant industry. Robot suppliers recommend business name such robots to increase the likelihood of their acceptance by employees and consumers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preferences of robot names representing "Utilitarian" and "Hedonic" attributes. Our findings show that study respondents had a significantly stronger preference for hedonic names compared to utilitarian names. Names with hedonic attributes were perceived positively and were considered more trustworthy. The name identified through this study was adopted for the service robot at a hospitality management program in the United States. This report also provides …

Continuous Learning And Customer Value Creation In The Healthcare: Mediating Effects Of Innovations Adoption Value Recognition, Binto M. Binto, Omari Khalifa Mbura

Business Management Review

This research investigates the influence of continuous learning on the effectiveness of customer value creation in the Tanzania’s healthcare system, with a specific focus on the mediating effects of innovation adoption value recognition. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 360 healthcare professionals across three zonal referral hospitals in Tanzania. Data analysis employed a structural equation modelling using SMART-Partial Least Squares software version 4.0. The findings indicate that continuous learning enhances healthcare customer value creation both directly and indirectly. Also, innovation adoption value recognition serves as a mediating variable of the direct causal relationship, offering partial mediation effects between …

Determinants Of The U.S. Experience Economy: A Macroeconomic, Demographic, And Technological Analysis, 1984–2023, Chloe Ross

CMC Senior Theses

Pine and Gilmore et al. 1999 examine American consumers’ preferences for experiences over durable goods. Since then, there has been a multitude of research on the psychology behind this shift in consumption preferences, and there has been an abundance of media coverage of the new “experience economy.” This thesis goes beyond psychology and examines the macroeconomic, demographic, and technological determinants of experiential spending in the United States from 1984 to 2023. I use annual data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) and variables from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), US …

Chronobiology Of Meal Timing In Early-Stage Hypertension: A Controlled Feeding Pilot Study Investigating The Effects On Renal And Vascular Function, Natalie J. Bohmke, Brittany Barton, Patrice Wiecek, Paula Rodriguez-Miguelez, Dave L. Dixon, Youngdeok Kim, Salvatore Carbone, Danielle L. Kirkman

EVMS School of Health Professions Faculty Publications

Lifestyle intervention is critical for young adults with early-stage hypertension. A Western diet has negative effects on kidney function and blood pressure; however, time-of-day effects are understudied. We hypothesized that consumption of a Western-style meal that is misaligned with the endogenous circadian rhythm would have adverse effects on blood pressure, kidney function, and vascular function. Ten young adults with elevated blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension (means ± SD: 26 ± 8 yr, 50% female) underwent a randomized crossover, isocaloric controlled feeding intervention. Participants were allocated to receive a Western-style meal high in sodium, sugar, and saturated fat in the …

Luxury Café Concept For Mindful Indulgence In Central London: Business Plan For Tranquille House, Chelsea Hsiao

MA in Luxury Business Dissertations

In the 21st century, the idea of luxury is becoming less about wealth and exclusivity and more about health, rich experiences, and awareness. This practice-based dissertation examines current customers' interpretations of luxury within café settings and identifies the characteristics that foster a feeling of premium, meaningful experience in the hospitality industry.

A mixed-methods method was utilised. Quantitative data was gathered through an online survey of consumers within target market, and qualitative insights were produced through prior experience, and observational study around London cafés. Secondary sources pertaining to luxury, wellness tourism, and hospitality trends were employed to contextualise the industry and …

Approaching The Wine Tasting Lexicon, Angela Dumford

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

There has been an increase in demand for wine knowledge in all sectors of the business. Whether you are a sommelier striving to improve your extensive comprehension of the world of wine, a server aiming to provide guests with a more personalized wine experience, or a simple customer that is curious about learning the basics; wine can be explored and enjoyed by anyone. Despite this, understanding where to begin in the wine world can be extremely intimidating. There are countless books, articles, and infographics available to the average wine enthusiast, but the intensity and quality of information varies dramatically. Furthermore, …

Beyond Price: How Platform Power Shapes Demand Allocation In Online Hotel Channels, Ling Ling, Timothy Webb, Zvi Schwartz

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Rate disparity remains a widely used but poorly understood pricing strategy in the hotel industry. While previous research generally assumes that lower prices shift demand toward less expensive channels, this study investigates whether such effects occur in practice. Using high-frequency booking and pricing data from five full-service hotels across multiple online travel agencies (OTAs), we analyze how rate disparity relates to the distribution of demand across channels. The findings show that the impact of price differences is limited, highly non-linear, and strongly dependent on contextual factors. Channel market power and hotel-specific characteristics seem to play a more significant role than …

When Price Varies Across Otas: How Room Rate Disparity Shapes Switching Behavior And Brand Trust, Ling Ling, Chich-Chien Chen, Zvi Schwartz

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

This study investigates how room rate disparity across Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) influences consumers’ switching behavior and perceptions of hotel brand integrity. Employing a scenario-based experimental design with a sample of 430 Chinese consumers, we explored price differences interact with loyalty status, price trajectory information, and brand consistency. Our findings reveal a complex non-linear inverse sigmoid relationship between rate disparity and channel switching. Contrary to expectations, loyalty membership did not reduce switching intent or increase discount thresholds. Moreover, rate disparity triggered brand integrity concerns, with brand doubt consistently exceeding switching intent. While price trajectory information did not change switching likelihood, …

Transportation Needs And Commuting Stress Among Hospitality Employees: A Perspective From The Las Vegas Strip Corridor, Mehmet Erdem, Shashi Nambisan, Jehun Moon, Billy Bai, Juliana Byzyka, William Werner, Bethany Khan

ICHRIE Research Reports

This study examines the determinants of commute-related stress by integrating behavioral and situational perspectives within Las Vegas contexts. Grounded in the spillover theory, this study conceptualizes commuting stress as a cross-domain process in which strain generated during commuting extends into broader psychological outcomes. Employing an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model, this study identifies the key components associated with commuting stress using survey data from 1,224 union workers in the Strip Corridor in Las Vegas. Findings reveal that experiential and situational factors play a dominant role in shaping stress perceptions. Specifically, traffic disruptions and behavioral adaptations (e.g., leaving earlier) emerge …

Strategic Signaling Or Structural Friction?: How Ai Disclosure Moderates Resource-Performance Dynamics In Hotels And Restaurants, Jaewan Heo

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly important strategic issue in the hospitality industry. While prior research has primarily examined AI as an operational technology that improves efficiency and service delivery, less attention has been paid to how AI-related disclosures influence investor evaluations of firm resources. This dissertation investigates whether AI-related disclosures moderate the relationship between organizational resources and financial performance in publicly traded hospitality firms.

Drawing on signaling theory and the resource-based view, this study conceptualizes AI disclosures as strategic signals that shape investor perceptions of firm capabilities and future value creation. Firm-level financial data were obtained from Compustat …

Customer Perceptions Of Tipping In Minimal-Service Food Settings, Fabian R. Rodriguez Gomez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

As digital payment systems and point-of-sale technologies become increasingly common, customers are encountering more frequent requests to tip in minimal-service food settings, such as coffee shops, pizza parlors, and quick-service restaurants. These changes have prompted discussions regarding the fairness of tipping, customer willingness to tip, and the growing phenomenon of tipping fatigue. The purpose of this study was to examine how employee effort, social pressure, and social obligation influence customer perceptions of tipping in minimal-service food settings.

A quantitative experimental research design was used with 328 participants recruited through the online platform Prolific. Participants were randomly assigned to scenarios manipulating …

How Casino Match Play Promotions Can Hook Gamblers (And Non-Gamblers), Brent Evans, Douglas Walker

UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal

Casino operators frequently use promotional gambling vouchers, free play and match play. In the case of free play, customers are offered gambling credits that function much like real money and patrons are able to quickly turn their promotional play into cash without risking their own money. Match play, however, can only be employed at table games and their use necessitates gamblers to wager their own funds. We conduct a thorough analysis of how match play can affect gamblers’ individual behavior. First, we assess the value of match play promotions, which we argue is ambiguous. Then, using behavioral economics concepts, we …

Gambling Behaviors, Perceptions, And Risks Among Nevada Adults, Andrea Dassopoulos

International Gaming Institute Faculty Research

This study presents a statewide assessment of gambling behaviors, perceptions, and gambling-related risk among 1,078 Nevada adults. Using a mixed-source, population-calibrated survey developed by UNLV and NORC, the research measures gambling participation, motivations, venue exposure, and attitudes toward harm, treatment, and regulation. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) identifies substantial levels of harm: nearly half of past-year gamblers show some degree of risk, with the highest rates among younger adults, racially diverse groups, gaming and hospitality workers, and those who gamble in neighborhood bars or slot parlors. The survey also documents public beliefs about gambling addiction, youth exposure, stigma, and …

Beyond Baseball: A Case Study On The Multipurpose Venue Management Practices Of Giants Enterprises, Collette Grace Madden

Experience Industry Management

The success of sports organizations no longer relies on team performance and game attendance. Giants Enterprises utilizes many guest engagement and destination development strategies to expand the brand reach of the San Francisco Giants. The purpose of this study was to examine how Giants Enterprises has positioned Oracle Park and Mission Rock as premier event destinations beyond baseball, with a focus on best practices in event diversification, experience design, and placemaking. A case study was conducted on Giants Enterprises to analyze what event diversification, experience design, and placemaking tactics were utilized as well as their effectiveness. The results of this …