Human–Robot interaction research in hospitality and tourism: trends and future directions

摘要

Purpose This paper aims to synthesize the evolving research of human–robot interaction (HRI) in the hospitality and tourism industry, identifying gaps and setting directions for future research. Design/methodology/approach Using a mixed-method approach, the study combines inductive co-citation analysis with deductive theory-context-characteristics-methodology analysis. Findings The findings trace the progression of HRI knowledge from initial feasibility and acceptance studies to advanced post-adoption experience management. The analysis identifies prevalent theories such as anthropomorphism theory, specific contexts like hotel environments, diverse robot types (e.g. embodied robots), outcome measures (e.g. use intention) and methodologies predominantly comprising survey-based analyses and experimental approaches. The analysis not only illuminates areas of research attention but also uncovers under-explored topics, offering a roadmap for future inquiry in tourism and HRI research. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature by providing a structured framework that not only maps the intellectual structure of HRI research in tourism but also proposes a cohesive integration of disparate theories and methodologies, addressing both practical and academic gaps.