Hospitality Studies

It has been shown that reflective management practices and the development of problem solving skills are vital in today's hospitality managers. "Hospitality Studies: An Introduction" allows hospitality management students to study the socio-cultural dimensions of hospitality provision, to reflect on these issues with the aid of case studies, and develop industry relevant processes that will assist in service delivery and to predict emerging trends in the consumption of hospitality. It explores hospitality from a socio-cultural perspective by presenting theoretical themes and concepts in a format that is accessible to all levels of students. The text also progresses theoretical concepts to both defined and reflective practical application by including specific industry examples and case studies. "Hospitality Studies: An Introduction" draws on a variety of aspects from history, culture, sociology, anthropology, philosophy and media studies, as well as traditional studies in operations management.
Issues discussed cover: the philosophy of hospitableness; hospitality as commercial friendship; hospitality globalisation and commoditization; hospitality as a management process; understanding the hospitality consumer. The chapter structure and style is user friendly and evolves from an introductory theoretical understanding, to practical application whilst providing a foundation for further studies. They take the student through a process of information and reflection whilst providing examples of how emerging concepts can be used in an industry context to improve hospitality management processes.