Supporting Women On The Hospitality Career Ladder: Fixing The Leadership Pipeline Drop-Off, Samantha A. Baker, Susan E. Gordon

ICHRIE Research Reports

The hospitality industry has a large discrepancy when comparing the number of women working within higher management roles compared to the number of men. This is despite women making up a majority of the hospitality industry. The goal for this study was to bring attention to this discrepancy by investigating how companies can retain female employees and aid in their career advancement. Interviews of a diverse set of women who all carry relations to the hospitality industry, produced three main themes of flexibility, career support, and work-life balance. Some actions that can be taken by companies to help women advance …

Hospitality And Tourism Students’ Perceptions Of Well-Being, Belonging, And Engagement In Their Academic Endeavors And Extracurricular Activities, Cynthia S. Deale, Seung Hyun Lee

International Journal for Business Education

Background/Introduction/Purpose: This study examined hospitality and tourism college/university students’ views of their engagement, well-being, and sense of belonging in academic and extracurricular activities, based on 130 responses from students in the United States.

Methods: Descriptive analysis, analysis of variance, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the responses. Qualitative comments were also obtained.

Results:  Respondents felt positive overall about their engagement, and many participated in extracurricular activities. The relationships between class engagement and sense of belonging, and between campus engagement and sense of belonging were significant, and the sense of belonging significantly influenced student subjective …

From Kitchen To Canon: Women And Culinary Recognition Executive Summary, Eulanda A. Sanders, Andra Harris

ICHRIE Research Reports

Despite women comprising a majority of the U.S. restaurant workforce, they remain significantly underrepresented in culinary leadership and elite recognition. Using an exploratory, descriptive design that draws on secondary data from the ACS, NRA, U.S. Census Bureau, and the James Beard Foundation, this study maps gender disparities across the culinary career pipeline. Women represent approximately 54% of the restaurant workforce but only 24.8% of chefs and head cooks, with a substantial gender wage gap persisting across the occupation (NRA, 2026; U.S. Census Bureau, 2024). Of 402 James Beard Award winners analyzed, 71.6% were male and 28.1% female. Disparities intensify at …

Robot Ready, Deploying Semi-Autonomous Food Delivery Robots, Betsy Bender Stringam, Somang Min, Jennifer Martinez

ICHRIE Research Reports

Semiautonomous food delivery robots are expanding rapidly across college campuses, healthcare facilities, office complexes, and other food delivery settings. The semiautonomous food delivery robot market grew to about $800 million in 2025 and is expected to exceed $3.24 billion by 2030.

This report draws on research studies conducted at a university contract foodservice beta deployment site, involving in-depth interviews with employees and managers who worked directly with semiautonomous food delivery robots during and after implementation, triangulated with field notes and observations by the research team. The report highlights key findings and develops an original practitioner framework around these findings, called …

San Luis Obispo Farmers' Market Mobile App & Rebrand, Joelle To

Graphic Communication

The San Luis Obispo Farmers’ Market, a five-block downtown event featuring nearly 100 vendors, currently lacks a centralized platform for visitors and vendors to easily access information, navigate the market, and communicate efficiently.

This project addresses that opportunity through the design of a mobile app that streamlines vendor information, provides interactive market navigation, delivers real-time event updates, and enhances connections between vendors and attendees.

In addition, the project includes a rebrand and comprehensive brand guidelines integrated into the app design, creating a cohesive visual identity that improves user experience, operational efficiency, and long-term engagement for the San Luis Obispo Farmers’ …

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 …

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 …

Activity Trends Pre/Post Covid-19 In State Park Campgrounds, Patty Janes, Sango Otieno, A. Scott Rood

Proceedings of the Recreation Experience Community Network Research Symposium

Outdoor related activities surged both during and following COVID 19. Numerous studies support the increase of many outdoor related activities from swimming to bird watching, and biking to geocaching. Understanding the interests and habits of visitors helps organizations. The purpose of this study was to analyze the Michigan Department of Natural Resources campground visitor activity participation from before and after COVID. Nearly 40,000 campers each year were compared from 75 campground locations throughout the state of Michigan. Findings indicate the growth of many of their outdoor oriented activities from 2019 to 2024 including beach / swimming, hiking, rock hunting, and …

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

Drivers Of Policy Support And Political Consumerism Behavior Among Water Recreationists, Mina Kim

Proceedings of the Recreation Experience Community Network Research Symposium

Individuals who engage in water-based recreation share a distinct bond with water quality due to their direct contact with aquatic environments during leisure activities. Increasing concerns about water quality have led to a rise in research exploring how environmental conditions and perceived risks shape environmental attitudes and conservation actions. However, it remains uncertain whether water recreationists extend their conservation efforts beyond those directly tied to their activities. To explore this issue, the present study investigates whether water-based recreationists in South Carolina support more stringent water management policies and engage in political consumerism behaviors, such as boycotting and buycotting. Data were …

How Did The Pandemic Change The Role Of Recreational Waters In Bringing Visitors? Analysis Of South Carolina Mobility Big Data, Seonjin Lee, Lori Pennington-Gray, Ph.D.

Proceedings of the Recreation Experience Community Network Research Symposium

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on nature-based recreational activities. Outdoor recreation became popular as an alternative to international travel with less risk of contagion. However, the question remains whether there was an enduring change in the role of natural resources in driving visitors. This study investigates the relevance of recreational waters, particularly lakes and beaches, to changes in patterns of domestic visitors to South Carolina between 2019 and 2023. All counties showed growth in recreational visitors, as well as diversification of visitors. However, the magnitude of the increase showed a significant difference based on geographical factors. Eight coastal …

Beyond Compliance: Investigating The Motivational Power Of Equality, Diversity And Inclusion (Edi) In European Hospitality, Alessandro Ferrazza Dr

ICHRIE Research Reports

The base concept of this study is to explore the interrelationship between Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) practices, employee motivation and performance within the European Hospitality Industry. The research aims to identify the barriers and facilitators that shape motivational synergies stimulating performance outcomes, particularly for underrepresented employee groups. The researcher employed a mixed-methods approach underpinned by a pragmatic interpretivist framework. The findings revealed that there is wide use of discriminatory practices, limited career progression and poor work-life balance which act as significant demotivators (Siu et al., 1997). The study also reconceptualises EDI not merely as a compliance requirement, but as …

The Effects Of Covid-19 On Mice Tourism, Gülay Cakmak, Gurel Cetin, Cemil Kilic, Erol Sozen

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

The sector of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism play an integral role in the tourism industry not only because of its volume but also per capita spending. MICE tourism is predominantly characterized by its international reach and the significant number of participants it attracts. However, Covid-19 pandemic precipitated a marked, leading to far-reaching ramifications and transformations. This study is focused on evaluating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the MICE tourism sector. It aims to explore both the anticipated and the actual shifts within the industry amidst the pandemic. Adopting a qualitative research methodology, this investigation utilized …

Bridging The Digital Skills Gap: A Comparative Study Of Employability Readiness Among Tourism Students And Professionals In Malaysia, Asif Khurshid Mian, Fraz Arshed Butt, Omar Sajid

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

The increasing digitalisation of the tourism industry has introduced new expectations for workforce competencies, particularly in developing economies like Malaysia. The present study investigates how three core digital competencies, i.e. digital literacy, platform/tool awareness, and technology readiness, influence employability readiness among two key groups including final-year tourism students and in-service professionals. Drawing on Human Capital Theory and the Technology Readiness Index, the research applies Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to examine 350 responses collected through purposive sampling. Results confirm that all three competencies positively influence employability readiness, with platform/tool awareness exerting the strongest effect. Multi-group analysis reveals that …

Mentoring In The Age Of Uncertainty: Why Gen Z, Millennials, And Gen X Need Feedback More Than Ever, Abrar Ahmad Khan

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Uncertainty now defines professional and personal life, particularly for Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X. Despite being highly educated and digitally connected, these generations face growing decision paralysis, burnout, and confidence gaps when navigating careers. HSBC’s Seizing Uncertainty (2024) reports that over half of younger professionals regret missed opportunities, while Gen X struggles to adapt to new realities and lead younger teams. Traditional feedback models—hierarchical, infrequent, and retrospective—no longer meet the demands of today’s fast-changing workplace. This article argues that mentoring, anchored in real-time and emotionally intelligent feedback, is not a “soft skill” but a leadership necessity. Especially in hospitality …

Applying The Synergy Of Experience Accounting And Service Dominant Logic To Rank Customer Experiences In The Mainstream Cruising, Ganna Demydyuk, Mats Carlbäck

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

This study analyzes how service-related experiences influence customer satisfaction and perceived value for money in the cruise industry. By integrating Service-Dominant Logic (S-D-L) and Experience Accounting (EA), it aims to support the development of customer-centric performance systems for managerial decision making in the all-inclusive hospitality sector. This is the first empirical study to merge data from three perspectives in service-for-service exchanges: customer review ratings from online platforms, ship-level operational characteristics, and financial metrics from corporate reports. This integrated approach allows for a holistic evaluation of the service ecosystem and cocreation of value onboard cruise ships. A quantitative analysis was conducted …

The Double-Edged Role Of Cognitive Reappraisal: A Moderated Mediation Model Of Manager Support And Emotional Exhaustion Among Hotel Supervisors, Han Chen, Yvette Green

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Applying the Conservation of Resources Theory and the Affective Event Theory, this study explores the interplay between perceived manager support (PMS), negative emotions, and emotional exhaustion among hotel supervisors. The study also examines the moderating role of cognitive reappraisal strategy on the above relationships. Data were collected from a sample of U.S. hotel supervisors. Results showed that negative emotions play a mediating role in the relationship between PMS and supervisors’ emotional exhaustion. Cognitive reappraisal amplified the negative effect of PMS on negative emotions, the positive relationship between negative emotions and emotional exhaustion, and the indirect effect of PMS on emotional …

Customer Food Intake: An Empirical Analysis Of Gender, Restaurant Use And Attitude Toward Fast Food Among Adolescents And Young Adults, In Nairobi, Kenya, Gerishom G. Madivoli, Rosemarie Ayuma Khayiya, Beatrice Kamau

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Fast food is the fastest- growing food category worldwide, providing young people and adolescents with a quick, cost- effective, and easily accessible alternative to home- cooked meals. There has been considerably less research into how gender, restaurant usage, and attitudes influence patterns of fast- food consumption. Moreover, the growth of the fast- food industry in every nation creates a significant environmental impetus for increasing fast food consumption and promoting unhealthy eating behaviours. If this issue is not addressed, the prevalence of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, along with the costs of managing these conditions, will escalate, particularly in Kenya. This …

Reframing Service Quality In Ai-Powered Hospitality Environments, Olena Ciftci

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

The hospitality and tourism industry is experiencing a technological shift through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), transforming both guest experiences and service operations. While AI offers hyper-personalization, efficiency, and scalability, it challenges traditional notions of service quality rooted in human interaction. This viewpoint explores the emerging concept of tech-augmented hospitality, where AI and human employees co-create guest experiences. The paper highlights key research directions for reconceptualizing service quality in the era of AI-enhanced hospitality. It argues for the development of new evaluative frameworks that encompass hybrid service models, cultural adaptability, inclusivity, and AI literacy.

Can Human Engagement And Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Co-Exist In The Online Classroom?, Mimi Gough

ICHRIE Research Reports

Today’s academic environment is faced with a new predicament in trying to understand the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Many online educators are asking “What do I need to know about AI as it applies to academics? How do I prepare my students for careers in the hospitality and tourism industry while trying to balance human engagement with AI? In its current form, AI has created apprehension among higher education stakeholders about developing policies, procedures and usage as they redesign curriculum that supports students who may use AI in their future careers. This manuscript, based on a 2024 ICHRIE Conference …

The Two Faces Of Airbnb Disruption: Licensed Accommodations Perspective On Contrasting Impacts On Community In Nova Scotia, Maria Matthews, Ioannis S. Pantelidis, Rodrigo Lucena

ICHRIE Research Reports

This paper examines the disruptive impact of Airbnb on urban and rural communities within the province of Nova Scotia, Canada, from a licensed accommodations perspective. Utilizing qualitative methods, this study gathers insights from general managers and owners in the licensed accommodation sector to understand similarities and differences in how Airbnb influences socioeconomic factors, housing markets, and community dynamics in both urban and rural settings. Overall, Airbnb's influence is double-edged, offering economic opportunities while simultaneously posing significant socioeconomic challenges. The findings underscore the need for nuanced policy approaches relating to Airbnb that balance economic growth with community well-being, ensuring sustainable development …

Ai Avatars In Hospitality Employee Training: Transforming Learning Through Innovation, Eulanda A. Sanders, Nikol K. Lopez Llantuy, Li Jiang

ICHRIE Research Reports

The hospitality industry faces challenges in delivering consistent, engaging, and scalable training. Traditional training often fails to address cost, efficiency, and learner engagement. Organizations are turning to technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance employee development, including AI-driven avatars. Drawing on recent literature in microlearning, avatar-mediated education, and technological adoption models, this study examines the potential of AI avatars to personalize instruction, enhance accessibility, reduce costs, and enhance learning outcomes. Content analysis of fifteen YouTube videos reveals ten themes associated with the use of AI avatars in real-world hospitality settings. The report includes implementation guidelines for integrating AI avatars into …

Exploring Green Practices, Opportunities And Challenges Facing Tourism And Hospitality Industry For Sustainable Future In Rwanda, Paul Okumu

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

This article examines the complexities surrounding green tourism practices in the global context with particular emphasis on Rwanda as a case study area. This article explores the opportunities presented to stakeholders and the challenges faced in achieving a sustainable future in tourism and hospitality consumption. The study pays keen interest to understanding the interaction between environmental conservation efforts, socio-economic development, and tourism sustainability. Thorough comprehensive literature review, key concepts and theoretical frameworks of green tourism are explored, laying the foundation for the analysis of previous studies on green tourism evolution globally and in developing countries. The study identifies factors influencing …

The Emergence Of Artificial Intelligence-Driven Reservation Services Analyzed Through Push-Pull-Mooring Theory And Their Potential To Enhance Tourism Experiences, Dimitra Skandali, Muhammad Ali Raza

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Artificial intelligence-based bath bed reservation services signify a novel evaluation of consumer behavior in densely populated tourist destinations. The phenomenon of overcrowded beaches, particularly during the peak summer months at well-known public beaches in Europe, has increased demand during rush hours. The research aims to clarify the key factors that influence the use of these applications, primarily on mobile phones, by applying the Push-Pull-Mooring Theory, in addition to identifying the primary causes of the high demand and the importance of staying close to the shore when sunbathing. The study emphasizes the impact of perceived risk and enjoyment on user behavior, …

Measuring Social Capital In Tourism Operation And Its Influences On Peoples’ Involvement, Kalimuththu Shanmuganathan, Nalin Abeysekera, L.P.S. Gamini, Lalith Chandralal

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

This study developed a reliable scale for measuring Social Capital in the context of tourism operations and examines its influences on Peoples' Involvement. The quantitative research method was employed, and the five stages of data purification processes were performed: identification of dimensions and indicators, item-to-total correlation, and explorative factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and the structural equation model. The study identifies four dimensional scales of social capital across 13 indicators: bonding social capital, social bridging capital, social linking capital, and social harmless capital, and confirms that social capital has a significant influence on peoples' involvement. As the first effort at …

The Interplay Of Website Characteristics, Attitude, And Booking Intentions For Different Hotel Websites: A Theory Of Reasoned Action Perspective, Atefeh Charmchian Langroudi, Imran Rahman, Maryam Charmchian Langroudi, John Stephan, Parisa Mohammadi

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Using the theory of reasoned action as the underlying theoretical foundation, this study examines the direct effects of compatibility, perceived usefulness, communicability, perceived risk, and perceived playfulness on attitudes toward online booking and the indirect effects of these variables on consumers’ intention to use three different online hotel booking channels - independent hotel websites, chain hotel websites, and third-party hotel websites. Additionally, this study tests the direct effect of attitude towards online booking on consumers’ intention to use the three online booking channels. Collected data from 638 participants via Amazon M-Turk was analyzed using partial least squares based structural equation …

Art Meets Commerce: How Exhibitions Shape Visitor Behavior In Tourism Shopping Centers, Xi Wang, Rui Ma, Lan Yang, Jie Zheng

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Serving as prominent leisure and entertainment platforms, tourism shopping malls have evolved their appeal by integrating art exhibition centers, thus magnifying the retail ambiance. This study dived into the correlation between the incorporation of these art centers within tourism shopping environments and the subsequent consumer propensity to visit, encompassing a meticulous evaluation of both the art exhibits attributes and art exhibition center attributes. Utilizing the technique of structural equation modeling for the analysis, this research unraveled various aspects of this interplay with 437 surveys from art exhibition customers in shopping malls. It was found that all the examined factors, with …

Exploring Strategies And Innovations In Airline Profitability Assessment: The Role Of Artificial Intelligence, Elif Degirmenci

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

The airline industry's profitability assessment remains a complex yet critical aspect of strategic decision-making, spanning from hub profitability to individual flight performance. This paper explores the diverse methodologies and challenges involved in evaluating both line and network profitability, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches in reconciling variable costs associated with aircraft types and route assignments. Traditional methods are juxtaposed with innovative concepts like the Blended Aircraft Cost model, offering insights into enhancing market route profitability. Additionally, advanced methodologies such as horizontal and vertical methods are discussed, alongside the role of artificial intelligence in revolutionizing real-time profitability analysis. Through a comprehensive …

Experience Accounting To Improve Strategic Decision-Making In A Rural Resort: Application Case Report, Mats Carlbäck, Ganna V. Demydyuk

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

This report explores the application of Experience Accounting (EA) to enhance strategic decision making in a rural resort, focusing on improving profitability through customer-centric financial management. This study addresses the challenges faced by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the hospitality industry, particularly the lack of tailored information systems for effective decision-making. By integrating the Resource-Based View (RBV) and the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) paradigm, EA aligns cost accounting with customer-perceived value, optimizing resource allocation to enhance customer experience and willingness to pay. The case study of a rural upmarket resort demonstrates the practical implementation of EA, revealing insights into resource consumption …

Adopting Effective Strategies Of Agile Project Management In Hotel Rebranding Projects, Minjie Liu

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

This thesis examines the application of Agile Project Management (APM) in hotel rebranding projects, emphasizing its impact on project flexibility, cross-departmental collaboration, and customer satisfaction. Using qualitative methods, the study highlights how APM practices, such as iterative cycles and continuous feedback loops, enhance adaptability, foster teamwork, and align outcomes with market demands. Findings reveal that while APM improves responsiveness and customer engagement, challenges like increased communication costs require careful management. The study offers practical insights for integrating APM into rebranding strategies to boost competitiveness and customer loyalty in the hospitality industry.