A study on hotel employees’ perceptions of the fourth industrial technology

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine hotel employees' perceptions of fourth industrial technology. The fourth industrial revolution was first mentioned at the World Economic Forum in 2016, and the introduction of fourth industrial technology is believed to significantly reduce jobs. Employees in the hotel industry are central to all the changes occurring within the jobs and job replacement; nevertheless, there is limited research from employees' perspective. Therefore, this study seeks to explore how employees in the hotel industry perceive the forthcoming fourth industry and its influence on jobs and careers. Q-methodology is employed to examine individual subjectivities. For the Q methodology study, 29 Q-statements were composed, and 30 P-samples were selected and survey by the forced distribution method. Result of the study identified three types of perceptions regarding fourth industrial technology among hotel employees. Type 1 is well-prepared to accept the changes and proposes alternatives for future technology without fear. Type 2 believes that although there may be changes in the employment structure, it is impossible to replace them at this juncture. Type 3 is open to the introduction of fourth industrial technology, and accordingly, is willing to take advantage of it. The results of this study contribute to related agencies and companies by providing meaningful and valuable basic data on human resource management at the time of going forward by applying fourth industrial technology. In addition, there is a theoretical contribution to use methods that are different from prior studies on hotel employee's perception is a meaning and thus lacking the theoretical validity, and discovering a new type not previously discussed that employee's perception for the fourth industry.