Sensory synergy and energy dynamics: unveiling the performance drivers of Chinese hotel frontline employees

ABSTRACT

This study explores the relationship between sensory experiences and the energy levels of Chinese hotel frontline employees, examining the pathways through which their resource energy is activated and the underlying mechanisms. Specifically, it looks at how frontline employees in Asian hotels promote work integration through relational and collective energy. Set within the Asian hospitality sector, this research highlights the Asian paradigms – service philosophies and management styles embedded in Asian culture and values – that have made an impact on the global hospitality industry. Interviews with 35 hotel employees resulted in 35 narrative structure maps, revealing that sensory synergy and compensation can activate an interactive dynamic mechanism, facilitating the ongoing activation of energy in their daily tasks. This process advances the five critical nodes of energy activation at work. The study significantly contributes by focusing on the individual and collective values of frontline employees as they navigate and adapt to shifts in the Asian paradigm. It reveals the internal mechanism that regulates the integration and optimisation of hotel frontline employees’ energy, providing insights into improving employee well-being and performance in the hospitality industry.

KEYWORDS:

• Sensory marketing
• workplace energy integration theory
• Asian paradigm
• hotel frontline employees
• hotel industry
• visual ethnography

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

Chee Wei Cheah: Conceptualization, Supervision, Writing – Original Draft, Writing – Review & Editing, Visualization.

Keheng Xiang: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Writing – Original Draft, Visualization, Writing – Review & Editing;

Disclaimer

All authors contributed equally to this article. The order of authorship is arranged alphabetically according to the author’s last name.

This paper is in memory of the co-author, Associate Professor Dr. Keheng Xiang of Zhejiang International Studies University, who unfortunately passed away before this paper could be published.

Additional information

Funding

Humanities and Social Sciences Youth Fund Project, Ministry of Chinese Education (to XIANG Keheng) (22YJC630164); Boda Research Enhancement Special Program for Cultivating High-Level Projects of Zhejiang International Studies University.