Use of qualitative research in foodservice organizations: A review of challenges, strategies, and applications
Date
Authors
Major Professor
Advisor
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Authors
Research Projects
Organizational Units
The Department of Apparel, Education Studies, and Hospitality Management provides an interdisciplinary look into areas of aesthetics, leadership, event planning, entrepreneurship, and multi-channel retailing. It consists of four majors: Apparel, Merchandising, and Design; Event Management; Family and Consumer Education and Studies; and Hospitality Management.
History
The Department of Apparel, Education Studies, and Hospitality Management was founded in 2001 from the merging of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies; the Department of Textiles and Clothing, and the Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management.
Dates of Existence
2001 - present
Related Units
- College of Human Sciences (parent college)
- Department of Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies (predecessor)
- Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management (predecessor)
- Department of Textiles and Clothing (predecessor)
- Trend Magazine (student organization)
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Department
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the challenges encountered when conducting qualitative research in foodservice operations and to discuss the strategies to overcome the identified challenges.
Design/methodology/approach – The researchers conducted food safety observations, interviews, and focus groups with more than 600 foodservice employees and managers. The researchers encountered multiple challenges including institutional review board approvals, managements' willingness to participate, and organizational and cultural barriers.
Findings – Obtaining in-depth, credible information through observations, interviews, and focus groups adds depth and breadth to hospitality studies. However, given high industry turnover, recruitment and retention throughout a study is problematic. Moreover, researchers encounter many barriers as they obtain data, such as establishing authenticity and overcoming Hawthorne and halo effects.
Originality/value – Strategies to increase participation and thereby improve qualitative research have not been previously addressed in the hospitality literature
Comments
This is an author's manuscript of an article from International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management 24 (2012): 820–837, doi:10.1108/09596111211247182.