The antecedents of workplace fun in the hospitality industry: A qualitative study

With an increasing awareness of the importance of fun in the workplace, the concept of workplace fun is becoming more popular in the hospitality industry. This study developed a conceptual model of the antecedents of workplace fun using an “employer-push, employee-need” approach. The antecedents were identified as two “employer-push” factors (relative advantages and open communication channel) and two “employee-pull” factors (employee expectations and satisfaction with the working environment). A qualitative approach was used to collect data through in-depth and one-on-one interviews with 18 frontline employees (5 frontline managers and 13 frontline staff) in an international hospitality company in Hong Kong. The results supported both the employers’ and the employees’ views on workplace fun. The study concludes by indicating the key research implications and directions for future research on workplace fun.