Swati Dabas, Savita Sharma and Kamal Manaktola
This paper aims to explore the experience of adoption of digital marketing and related tools by restaurant entrepreneurs or owners of restaurants in the UK and India.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the experience of adoption of digital marketing and related tools by restaurant entrepreneurs or owners of restaurants in the UK and India.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on qualitative research. In-depth interviews were conducted with restaurant owners to understand the extent of adoption of digital marketing tools and how they have embraced the digital change in running their business operations.
Findings
Findings shed light on major changes in consumer behaviour and the readiness of restaurant owners to adopt digital tools for marketing restaurant businesses. Additionally, this paper also probes restaurant owners’ apprehensions in the process with an objective of retaining customers for a longer period.
Originality/value
It is also evident that there is a clear gap in the restaurant space in India and the UK as far as the adoption of digital marketing tools is concerned. The restaurants in India are yet to adequately harness the digital medium as a strategic tool for marketing. This research can potentially form the basis of further research in terms of using technology and digital tools to reach customers and creating a more personalized experience for them.
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Vinnie Jauhari and Kamal Manaktola
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the workforce issues as they relate to the hospitality industry which if managed well, could lead to higher growth for the firm and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the workforce issues as they relate to the hospitality industry which if managed well, could lead to higher growth for the firm and consequently the industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The perspectives have been drawn from the hospitality industry and academia in India.
Findings
The key workforce issues that need to be addressed in the hospitality industry are: perceptions about the industry; levels of manpower attrition; education; competencies and skill development; work environment and compensation; opening up of diverse opportunities for the workforce. These have a strong bearing on the firm's growth and consequently industry's growth and contribution to the economy.
Originality/value
The paper integrates viewpoints from industry and academia and specific suggestions are made to address the listed issues.
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Swati Dabas and Kamal Manaktola
This study aims to evaluate current room inventory distribution strategies of mid‐segment hotels in India, identifying factors that influence the managerial decisions in selecting…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate current room inventory distribution strategies of mid‐segment hotels in India, identifying factors that influence the managerial decisions in selecting electronic distribution channel for their property.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative research methodology using structured interviews with senior level managers of five mid‐segment hotels in National Capital Region of India (NCR). Data collected were analysed to generalise the findings of this research.
Findings
Mid‐segment hotels in NCR rely on traditional distribution channels. Managers do not have sufficient knowledge about electronic distribution. There is a large gap between average room rate of mid‐segment hotels and higher‐level hotels. Demand during the period of study was higher and the trend for higher demand is likely to continue. Repeat business in mid‐segment hotels is nearly 70 percent.
Practical implications
The present high demand environment demands that the mid‐segment hotels look beyond their existing customer base and distribute inventory through multi‐channels including electronic distribution to achieve higher RevPAR, improved visibility and sustainable customer base for a longer period.
Originality/value
This research attempts to bring out factors that influence managerial decisions while selecting a distribution channel in the context of the Indian hospitality industry.
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Kamal Manaktola and Vinnie Jauhari
The study seeks to explore the factors which influence the consumer attitude and behaviour towards green practices in the lodging industry in India and also to explore the…
Abstract
Purpose
The study seeks to explore the factors which influence the consumer attitude and behaviour towards green practices in the lodging industry in India and also to explore the consumers' intentions to pay for these practices.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative and qualitative research methodology using a questionnaire along with secondary research has been proposed. A structured questionnaire has been used using convenience‐sampling techniques from National Capital Region in India. Correlation and factor analysis has been used to explore consumers' attitudes and behaviour towards green practices in the lodging industry.
Findings
The consumers using hotel services are conscious about environmentally friendly practices in India. They patronise the hotels that have adapted green practices though not compromising on service quality. The consumers would prefer to use lodging that follows these practices but are not willing to pay extra for these services. Indian hotels have the competitive advantage over similar products if they follow green practices.
Practical implications
The hotels would have to invest in environmentally friendly practices and look at long‐term gains. The government needs to acknowledge and institutionalise the practice by instituting rewards and offering benefits in taxes.
Originality/value
The paper attempts to bring out facts regarding customer buying behaviour towards green practices in the Indian hotel industry. The resource scenario in India is grim with regard to the water and sanitation. The tourism industry has a big responsibility in ensuring that business models adopted are sustainable in the long run and hence the need to imbibe green practices as a preferred business model.
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Pinaz Tiwari and Nimit Chowdhary
This chapter aims to analyse the evolution of research in the Indian tourism and hospitality domain from 1976 to 2021. By employing the bibliometric and systematic literature…
Abstract
This chapter aims to analyse the evolution of research in the Indian tourism and hospitality domain from 1976 to 2021. By employing the bibliometric and systematic literature review, the chapter highlights the prominent authors, institutions, methods, emerging and explored research themes in the tourism and hospitality field. Accordingly, the authors collected 458 articles from core tourism and hospitality related journals using PRISMA and evaluated them using VOSViewer. The findings revealed an emic perspective of research contribution in Indian tourism and hospitality. While some topics such as religious tourism, sustainability, cultural and heritage tourism products have attained more attention, topics such as tourism entrepreneurship, technology and human resource development failed to seek attention in the eyes of journals and researchers. Although the literature has expanded significantly, there is a need to build global academic networks to examine the state of Indian tourism and hospitality. The chapters suggest that future research should critically evaluate the schemes and initiatives undertaken by the government to promote Indian tourism, expand research to western and eastern parts of the country, and follow the mixed-method research to contribute holistically to the topic.
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Kirti Dutta and Kamal Manaktola
With the growing use of the internet, online distribution is emerging a communication and distribution channel. This paper aims to explore the role of the internet as a tool for…
Abstract
Purpose
With the growing use of the internet, online distribution is emerging a communication and distribution channel. This paper aims to explore the role of the internet as a tool for sustainable tourism in India, especially as deployed by a large segment of three star and four star hotels in India. It discusses the practices currently employed by the mid‐segment hotels for the distribution of their services and seeks to delineate how they can use this as a tool for working towards sustainable growth.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper discusses how selected hotels in the National Capital Region (Delhi) are deploying online distribution. Their web sites have been assessed to evaluate how they fare in a generic search on the three major search agents currently being used in India: Yahoo, MSN and Google. The web sites are assessed as to whether they are likely to attract and provide enough information to potential tourists. Discussions with practitioners from the industry have also been incorporated to give more conclusive insights into how they practice the online distribution of their services.
Findings
The paper points at elements which should be incorporated while designing the web sites so as to effectively distribute their inventory and make it easily accessible to tourists looking for accommodation. This will reduce the intermediaries involved and, as this is paperless transaction, result in sustainable low‐cost economic growth.
Research limitations/implications
The paper provides an insight into what consumers have access to when they search for hotels via different search engines and whether or not this information is sufficient to precipitate a decision when choosing a particular hotel. If this can be managed effectively, customers can go online for all their bookings. This would yield cost savings for the organization and the customer, and in so doing, contribute to sustainable growth.
Practical implications
These findings are relevant to academics and practitioners as they offer an insight into online distribution channel management and communications with potential customers.
Originality/value
Relatively few studies have been conducted in the field of online distribution in the hospitality industry. This paper aims to assist hospitality operators in framing strategies to use the internet as a tool for sustainable tourism.
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This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.
Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.
Findings
Restaurants face stiff competition irrespective of the market in which they operate. Digital marketing is a powerful tool for these restaurants to gain a competitive advantage.
Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
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Abdul Moyeen and Melita Mehjabeen
Research suggests the hotel industry has grown to integrate corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs towards addressing issues relating to the sustainable development goals…
Abstract
Purpose
Research suggests the hotel industry has grown to integrate corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs towards addressing issues relating to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Nevertheless, how the progression of research has influenced the field of CSR and the SDGs remains unexplored. This paper aims to address the knowledge gap.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on a review of 230 papers from Scopus Indexed Journals – both mainstream and specialty. A content analysis was conducted to identify the major themes and the evolution of CSR research in the hotel industry.
Findings
Recent CSR research has tended to shift towards issues such as CSR communication and reporting from its earlier focus on the perceptions and practices of CSR. The SDGs, in general, and environmental sustainability, in particular, remain on the periphery of hotel industry’s CSR initiatives. This raises concern about the ability of CSR programs to facilitate the SDGs by 2030. This study highlights that both stakeholders (e.g. consumers, employees) and business forces (e.g. financial bottom line) can shape the hotel industry’s CSR strategies in contributing to the SDGs and greater sustainability.
Originality/value
The research advances the CSR and sustainability literature by undertaking a comprehensive review of business research on CSR in the hotel industry focusing on the SDGs, and advancing and facilitating discussion on existing knowledge in this field and how the field can be further developed.
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Mansi Mansi, Rakesh Pandey and Ehtasham Ghauri
This study aims to explore the weightage rendered to corporate social responsibility (CSR) keywords in mission and vision (M&V) statements of public sector enterprises (PSEs) in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the weightage rendered to corporate social responsibility (CSR) keywords in mission and vision (M&V) statements of public sector enterprises (PSEs) in India.
Design/methodology/approach
Analysing the contents of M&V statements of 230 PSEs, this study has the twin research objectives of seeking to illuminate the current use of CSR-related keywords in PSEs’ M&V statements that reflect organisational strategy and provide an understanding for how firm age, industry and firm size variables serve to influence CSR keyword reporting in these statements.
Findings
The findings of this study provide evidence that half of the Indian PSEs reported at least one CSR-related keyword in their M&V statements. These public enterprises predominantly use 38 different categories of CSR keywords in their M&V statements. Furthermore, the authors find that environment-related keywords were predominantly used by PSEs in their M&V statements. The results indicate that PSEs’ size and industries are significantly associated with the use of CSR-related keywords in M&V statements, suggesting that bigger PSEs and PSEs in extractive industries (e.g. mining, coal and petroleum) tend to report more CSR-related keywords in their M&V statements.
Research limitations/implications
Findings imply that small public enterprises (those having a low annual turnover) lack CSR focus in their M&V statements. The authors argue that, irrespective of the size of the enterprise, CSR should be an integral part of these PSEs in framing their M&V statements.
Originality/value
This study systematically analyses CSR-related keywords in the M&V statements of all PSEs in India.