Hospitality studies: escaping the tyranny?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore current strands in hospitality management education and research, and suggest that future programs should reflect a more social science informed content.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews current research in hospitality management education and in the study of hospitality and hospitableness. It is, therefore, essentially a literature review, but founded on a variety of research insights gained by the author.

Findings

Some have argued that the hospitality management education is currently dominated by the tyranny of relevance. Yet, the study of hospitableness in wider social settings has much to offer to both students and their future employers. This paper suggests there is need to allow for more flexibility in the curriculum so as to be less concerned with immediate relevance of content and more concerned with developing graduates who are critical and analytical thinkers.

Research limitations/implications

It is not founded on primary research per se, but reflects upon a number of formal studies about the nature of the field, the preferred learning styles of students and nature of hospitableness.

Originality/value

The paper suggests changes to the current curriculum that may, or may not, result in name changes to programs studying hospitality and preparing the sector’s future management personnel.

Citation

Lashley, C. (2015), "Hospitality studies: escaping the tyranny?", Quality Assurance in Education, Vol. 23 No. 4, pp. 364-377. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAE-04-2015-0014