The International Research Roundtable at César Ritz Colleges Switzerland, 6th Edition

The 6th IRR, conducted in March 2024, demonstrated the event's growing influence and reach. This developmental roundtable attracted participation from researchers, peer reviewers, and organizers from over 20 universities across 15 countries. This session included 12 focused research paper presentations, practitioner business case presentations, and workshops aimed at enhancing skills in research methods and publishing in top journals. The variety and depth of the discussions underscore the IRR's commitment to advancing management research tailored to the nuanced needs of the hospitality, tourism, and service sectors. 

The Essence of the IRR 

The IRR, orchestrated by the Research Center for Leadership in Dynamic Settings, focuses on the challenges and opportunities in managing organizations under dynamic conditions such as intense competition and rapidly changing customer demands. The event is particularly renowned for addressing themes of organizational resilience, allowing businesses to thrive through adversity. Topics cover a broad spectrum, including luxury hospitality, tourism, retail, finance, and public administration, making the roundtable a diverse and inclusive event catering to a wide array of academic and professional interests. 

Keynote Insights 

Two keynote presentations comprised the anchors of the recent International Research Roundtable. Dr. Robert Harrington, the Ivar B. Haglund Chair in Hospitality Business Management at Washington State University, discussed 'Impactful Hospitality Research', providing valuable perspectives on integrating scholarly research with practical industry applications. Dr. John Dunning, Principal Lecturer of Hospitality Management in the Department of Service Sector Management at Sheffield Hallam University, presented on 'The Meaning of Professionalism', revealing his wealth of experience from his tenure at top-tier hospitality venues and his academic role. 

Dr. Harrington on Industry Research  

Addressing the challenge of maintaining a consistent research program in a constantly evolving business environment, Dr. Harrington urged researchers to explore how hospitality can offer competitive advantages beyond conventional parameters and expectations. He also highlighted the growing interest from non-hospitality organizations in adopting hospitality business models. 

Acknowledging the significant challenges in the current research environment, such as the pressure to publish in top-tier journals, the quest for tenure, and the evolving definitions of what constitutes hospitality or tourism research, Dr. Harrington presented several basic strategies for overcoming these obstacles. These strategies included the importance of sample size, the use of secondary data, theory-building, and conducting longitudinal studies. He also emphasized the need for strong introductions, clear purposes, and well-defined implications in research papers. Moreover, he pointed out the growing diversity in hospitality contexts, citing examples such as wine business studies and the Oktoberfest beer tent experience, which blur the lines between traditional tourism and hospitality research. 

Dr. Harrington passionately spoke about the numerous opportunities in hospitality research, encouraging researchers to focus on societal impacts, secure grant funding, and explore new approaches. 

In his closing remarks, Dr. Harrington underscored the necessity of passion and enthusiasm in research. He encouraged attendees to expand their networks and commit to daily research efforts, emphasizing the importance of discipline and curiosity in achieving success. 

Dr. Dunning on Industry Professionalism 

Dr. Dunning shared his concept of professionalism within the context of hospitality management academics and explored the foundational question: "What is professionalism?" Through his research, he has determined that professionalism is a multifaceted construct with various interpretations, including 'professionalization,' 'de-professionalization,' and 'the professions', and that the understanding of professionalism is not static but evolves, influenced by societal changes and market pressures. 

Dr. Dunning introduced a traits-based approach to examining professionalism, identifying four key traits: high-level knowledge, autonomy, collegiality, and service. He elaborated on how these traits are essential in the hospitality, tourism, and service industries. He then delved into a typology of professionalism, categorizing it into three orientations: Personal, Bureaucratic, and Entrepreneurial. A dedication to service and values drives the Personal Professional, the Bureaucracy Professional focuses on efficiency and accountability, and the Entrepreneur Professional is oriented towards enterprise and consumerism. He suggested that these professional orientations can be applied across various hospitality, tourism, and service organizations, often blending to shape individual professional identities.  

Dr. Dunning's presentation not only provided a comprehensive overview of professionalism in the context of hospitality management but also offered practical frameworks and critical questions for future research.      

In closing, Dr. Dunning highlighted the future application of professionalism typology, proposing that it could be used to examine professional orientations within a wide range of organizations.  

Impact of Past Keynotes 

Keynote presentations are a highlight of the IRR, offering profound insights from seasoned industry and academic leaders. Reflecting on previous IRRs, the contributions of past keynote speakers have been particularly noteworthy.  

Our esteemed keynote speakers consistently offer new insights and perspectives. Dr. Sergey Gorbatov, honored with the Best Paper Award by Personnel Psychology Journal for his work on "Personal brand equity: Scale development and validation”, engaged our September 2023 IRR audience. He explored the challenges of cultivating competencies in leaders who are prepared for the future, sparking meaningful discussions about the evolving nature of leadership and workplace practices in the industry. 

In March 2023, Dr. Marianna Sigala from Sheffield Hallam University highlighted the significance of practical case studies driven by student research. Her talk stressed the need to synchronize teaching strategies with the demands of the industry, igniting vibrant discussions about the future of work in the hospitality, tourism, and service sectors. 

During another IRR session, Dr. Giuseppina Menconi, Associate Professor at César Ritz Colleges, initiated a dynamic debate on how managers in hospitality, tourism, and service industries can effectively utilize the metaverse. This discussion built upon her collaborative research with Dr. Apostolos Ampountolas and Professor Gareth Shaw from the University of Exeter, UK, which was featured in the respected journal "Tourism Economics." Their acclaimed research advances the dialogue on online intermediation and the metaverse's potential. For more insights into this progressive work and to keep up with other groundbreaking developments, consider attending a future IRR. 

With participants from prestigious institutions like IE Business School, University of Geneva, and Hotelschool The Hague, the roundtable serves as a melting pot of ideas and innovations. These collaborations enhance the IRR's global perspective and contribute to its mission of addressing the pressing challenges of the hospitality industry. 

Nurturing Future Talent 

A unique aspect of the IRR is its focus on student involvement and development. By providing a platform for students to present their research and engage with experts, the IRR plays a crucial role in developing the next generation of hospitality leaders. This emphasis on student research enriches their academic experience and prepares them to meet the real-world demands of the hospitality sector. 

Sustainability and Social Responsibility 

The IRR, in line with the ethos of sustainability held by César Ritz Colleges, is also committed to sustainability and social responsibility, as evidenced by its initiative to plant a tree for every participant who joins as an author, reviewer, or speaker. This gesture highlights the roundtable's dedication to environmental stewardship and its broader goal of making a positive impact on the world. 

The Road Ahead 

The International Research Roundtable at César Ritz Colleges Switzerland is more than a conference—it has grown into a research community known for nurturing research in the hospitality, tourism, and service industries. The next roundtable is set for September 2024. We look forward to welcoming researchers and practitioners again and continuing the tradition of insightful discussions that are crucial for advancing knowledge in managing hospitality, tourism, and service organizations.