| Abstract: | Over recent decades hospitality research has made considerable advancements and contributions to knowledge creation. However, a review of associated literature reveals that there exists a significant degree of debate concerning the definitional, philosophical and conceptual dimensions of hospitality. This paper aims to capture current thinking and key challenges confronting the research community. Conclusions are drawn calling for: definitional precision of hospitality; a clearly articulated research philosophy locating hospitality as a specialist field of study within the social science landscape; an enhanced degree of research philosophy awareness by researchers; and the benefits of formulating and agreeing an internally valid conceptual framework. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
