Entrepreneurialism: Perspectives on Tourism Hospitality Business Contexts

Abstract

Whilst a range of commentators now suggest that entrepreneuralism is an important force within the tourism/hospitality industry, relatively little is known regarding entrepreneurial aspirations in relation to the various types of businesses to be found in this industry. Moreover, relatively little is known about the problem-solving and dispositional factors that may be associated with entrepreneurial intent in regard to tourism/hospitality industry businesses. This study has investigated levels of entrepreneurial motivation associated with a range of tourism/hospitality industry businesses together with major problem-solving styles and entrepreneurial attitudes and strategies. Least interest was evinced towards food service businesses and greatest interest towards tourism marketing businesses. Entrepreneuralism was conceived of as either achievement by way of effective communication or attaining power by taking risks and having good luck. Individuals most likely to opt for an entrepreneurial future in contexts such as tourism marketing were found more likely to exhibit high levels of belief in achievement through effective communication and low levels of the attainment of power by risk-taking and luck, though the reverse of this pattern was also found for some respondents. Finally, those respondents with little interest in achievement through effective communication were found more likely to evince an entrepreneurial interest in tour operations business. The relevance of these findings for both prospective tourism/hospitality industry employees, entrepreneurs and industry leaders is discussed.