Routledge Companion to International Hospitality Management

The hospitality sector is facing increasing competition and complexity over recent decades in its development towards a global industry. The strategic response to this is still that hospitality companies try to grow outside their traditional territories and domestic markets, while the expansion patterns and M&A activities of international hotel and restaurant chains reflect this phenomenon. Yet, interestingly, the strategies, concepts, and methods of internationalization as well as the managerial and organizational challenges and impacts of globalizing the hospitality business are under-researched in this industry.While the mainstream research on international management offers an abundance of information and knowledge on topics, players, trends, concepts, frameworks, or methodologies, its ability to produce viable insights for the hospitality industry is limited, as the mainstream research is taking place outside of the service sector. Specific research directions and related cases like the international dimensions of strategy, organization, marketing, sales, staffing, control, culture, and others to the hospitality industry are rarely identifiable so far. The core rationale of this book is therefore to present newest insights from research and industry in the field of international hospitality, drawing together recent scientific knowledge and state-of-the-art expertise to suggest directions for future work. It is designed to raise awareness on the international factors influencing the strategy and performance of hospitality organizations, while analyzing and discussing the present and future challenges for hospitality firms going or being international.This book will provide a comprehensive overview and deeper understanding of trends and issues to researchers, practitioners, and students by showing how to master current and future challenges when entering and competing in the global hospitality industry.

"In the cusp of a new industrial revolution, how is international hospitality shaped by the various emerging forces and pressures and how are businesses responding to the new challenges? Is the hospitality business culture changing and what business models will be adopted to address the dynamism of the hospitality environment in the new networked economy? This companion is reader-friendly and very useful resource equally for early-career and seasoned hospitality researchers and practitioners in answering these questions and many others that arise in the field of international hospitality business management." Prof. Dr. Alexandros Paraskevas, University of West London, UK"The hospitality industry has always considered itself to be an international business, but today´s challenges as a result of progressing globalization have a completely different dimension than twenty years ago. It was about time for this handbook, as this anthology will provide readers with an extensive overview of issues pertaining to the strategic and operational debate on globalization within the hospitality industry." Prof. Dr. Stephan Gerhard, Serial Hospitality Entrepreneur, Owner/Founder TREUGAST Solutions Group, 25hours, Arcona Hotels & Resorts etc., Germany"As an international industry, the hospitality business is facing fast-paced changes as a result of exponential growth and economic strength in China and the Asia-Pacific region. This handbook will empower readers to master challenges ahead and to leverage the opportunities of globalization and growth in the hospitality sector. Its industry-oriented approach is extremely useful and well balanced resource for practitioners, academics and students in international hospitality management and beyond." Maria Yue, Director Finance for Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Brands Asia Pacific, Hong Kong SAR, China.

Marco A. Gardini is Professor of International Hospitality Management and Marketing, and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Tourism, at Kempten UAS, Germany.Michael C. Ottenbacher is Head of the Department of Hospitality Management at Kansas State University, USA.Markus Schuckert is Associate Professor in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong S.A.R., China.