Discovering hospitality: observations from recent research

Purpose This discussion paper aims to provide an introduction to revised ways of understanding and approaching the study of hospitality. Design/methodology/approach In addition to the consideration of hospitality from an array of social science and arts perspectives, the paper advocates an engagement with critical studies tools and concepts. These perspectives allow the study of hospitality which is critical to the deconstruction of meanings of hospitality, and to present an array of insights which better inform visions of the subject. Findings The paper discusses the importance of critical thinking and outlines three philosophical positions relating to the study of hospitality and hospitality organisations. It suggests that too much academic research appears managerial in focus and is weakened by the lack of critical ways of thinking about hospitality. In particular, the paper goes on to highlight recent developments in hospitality research which are informed by different social science perspectives. Research limitations/implications The study is based on a literature review though informed by a number of research projects. Future research projects picking up on the interplay between cultural, domestic and commercial hospitality contexts are major implications of this paper. Practical implications The paper implies that commercial and educational hospitality practice would be better informed by both critical perspectives and reference to a number of social science and arts perspectives on hospitality. Competitive business strategies based on customer quality experiences will in future need to be informed by these perspectives. Originality/value This paper provides a unique overview of hospitality informed both by hospitality research for careers in hospitality and the study of hospitality as a social interaction. As such it has value to both industry practitioners and to academics interested in studying hospitality and hospitableness.