Hospitality studies and hospitality management: A symbiotic relationship

Abstract

The key contribution of this paper is to critically analyse advances made since the introduction of hospitality as a higher education subject, to capture contemporary thinking, and to support the recognition of the intellectual benefits for hospitality management theory and practices of a curriculum informed from a social science-based studies perspective. The benefits of this inter-relationship are demonstrated through the inclusion of an illustration informed by historical means of enquiry, which applies hermeneutical analysis and interpretation of St. Benedict's Rule (c. 530 A.D.). This serves to tangibly demonstrate the academic rigour, value, and educational gains achievable through a symbiotic relationship between hospitality studies and hospitality management.

Introduction

The primary aim of this paper is to review the evolution of hospitality as an academic subject. It commenced life with a focus on hospitality management, defined by Brotherton and Wood (2000, p. 168) as: ‘the management of hospitality in that one set of intellectual constructs and practices (management) are applied to another (hospitality)’. However, interestingly they stopped short of a reciprocal application. This represented a higher educational experience largely bounded within a narrow literature pertaining to business and management. Over time emerged a more inclusive hospitality studies approach which reflects on the connection of hospitality to society as a whole, and the location of the world of business and management therein (Lashley et al., 2007). This stance embraces literature and theory of multiple genre and discipline, including the social sciences. Further, it supports reciprocal application between the intellectual constructs and practices of both hospitality, and business and management. Hospitality subject development has now reached a point where there exists growing acceptance of the potential for, and value of, a symbiotic relationship between management and studies. As Morrison and O’Mahony (2003, p. 39) highlight, through such partnering there is: ‘potential to generate new ways of thinking and a wider appreciation of world views on the concept of hospitality as broadly conceived’. Consequently, it has become evident that hospitality as an academic subject has advanced in its evolution: ‘from being a topic simply for thematic investigation directly or indirectly for the study to management to one that also locates the study of hospitality as a significant means of exploring and understanding society’ (Lashley et al., 2007, p. 186). Thus, the paper addresses some of the significant aspects that have shaped this subject development including: discourse relative to the higher education context; vocational and/or liberal educational approaches; engagement with the social sciences; and the emergence and relationship between management and studies schools of thought. The paper argues that significant knowledge and intellectual advances can potentially be gained through a healthy inter-relationship between management and studies, drawing on a multi-disciplinary social science resource base. This aspect is demonstrated through the inclusion of a tangible illustration employing a historical means of enquiry to the context of religious hospitality. It provokes reflection, and evidence of the academic rigour and value of this approach. Ancient and classical texts, along with other relevant documentation, concerned with St. Benedict's Rule (c. 530 A.D.) have been critically analysed and interpreted. The research methodology applied is described and justified, and resultant findings, which form a taxonomy of principles of hospitality, are presented. This leads to consideration of the extent of change and continuity between this historical conception of hospitality and contemporary manifestations. Conclusions are drawn identifying and summarising issues pertaining to the subject development of hospitality in higher education. Thus, the key contribution of this paper is to critically analyse advances made since the introduction of hospitality as a higher education subject, capture contemporary thinking, and to support the recognition of the intellectual benefits for hospitality management theory and practices of a curriculum informed from a social science based studies perspective.