Predicting the future of the foodservice industry: A robot-based economy perspective

Year 2023, , 22 - 29, 30.06.2023

Ibrahim Cifci Derya Demirdelen Alrawadieh

https://doi.org/10.48119/toleho.1118082

Cited By: 1

Abstract

This paper ascertains the perceptions of Turkish foodservice industry experts (i.e., executive chefs, business owners, and academicians) to predict the future of the foodservice industry in the robot-based economy. A content analysis was performed by drawing on the qualitative data that occurred through 18 semi-structured interviews. The findings illustrate the present and anticipated status of the usage of robots and AI and the possible impact of robotization and AI on employment in the foodservice industry based on its’ experts’ perspective. It reveals a futurity glimb for the foodservice industry in the robot-based economy era. Several theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.

Keywords

Foodservice industry, robot-based economy, foodservice experts, future of the foodservice industry.

References

• Alrawadieh, Z., Alrawadieh, Z., & Cetin, G. (2020). Digital transformation and revenue management: Evidence from the hotel industry. Tourism Economics, https://doi.org/10.1177/1354816620901928
• Ashcroft, E., Tuomi, A., Wang, M., & Solnet, D. (2019). Resistance to the Adoption of ICTs in Independent Restaurants: Insights from China and the UK. e-Review of Tourism Research (eRTR), 16((2/3)), 105-114.
• Berezina, K., Ciftci, O., & Cobanoglu, C. (2019). Robots, Artificial Intelligence, and Service Automation in Restaurants. In S. Ivanov, & C. Webster (Eds.), Robots, Artificial Intelligence, and Service Automation in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality (pp. 185-219). Emerald Publishing Limited.
• Belanche, D., Casaló, L.V., Flavián, C. & Schepers, J. (2020a). Robots or frontline employees? Exploring customers’ attributions of responsibility and stability after service failure or success, Journal of Service Management, 31(2), 267-289.
• Belanche, D., Casaló, V., Flavián, C. & Schepers, J. (2020b) Service robot implementation: a theoretical framework and research agenda. The Service Industries Journal, 40(3-4), 203-225.
• Belanche, D., Casaló, L. V., Schepers, J., & Flavián, C. (2021). Examining the effects of robots' physical appearance, warmth, and competence in frontline services: The Humanness‐Value‐Loyalty model. Psychology & Marketing. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21532.
• Blit, J. (2020). Automation and Reallocation: Will COVID-19 Usher in the Future of Work? Canadian Public Policy, 46(2), 192-202.
• Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
• Cha, S. S. (2020). Customers’ intention to use robot-serviced restaurants in Korea: relationship of coolness and MCI factors. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 32(9), 2947-2968.
• Chen, C., Gao, Q., Song, Z., Liping, O., & Wu, X. (2010). Catering Service Robot. Proceedings of the 8th World Congress on Intelligent Control and Automation, July 6-9 2010, Jinan, China, 599-604.
• Choi, Y., Oh, M., Choi, M., & Kim, S. (2020). Exploring the influence of culture on tourist experiences with robots in the service delivery environment. Current Issues in Tourism, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2020.1735318.
• Cifci, İ., Öğretmenoğlu, M., Şengel, T., Demirçiftçi, T. & Kandemir-Altunel, G. (2022). Effects of tourists' street food experience and food neophobia on their post-travel behaviors: the roles of destination image and corona-phobia. Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality & Tourism. https://doi.org/10.1080/1528008X.2022.2151550
• Claveau, D., & Force, S. (2019). A mobile social bar table based on a retired security robot. In J. H. Kim, H. Myung, J. Kim, W. Xu, E. Matson, & J. Jung (Eds.), Robot Intelligence Technology and Applications 5. RiTA (pp. 263-271). Springer.
• Collins, G., Cobanoglu, C., Bilgihan, A., & Berezina, K. (2017). Automation and Robotics in the Hospitality Industry. Hospitality Information Technology: Learning How to Use it (pp. 413-449). Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co.
• David, K., Fernández-Macías, E. & Antón, J. (2017). Do robots really destroy jobs? Evidence from Europe. Economic and Industrial Democracy, 26, 1-37.
• Demaitre, E. (2020). COVID-19 pandemic prompts more robot usage worldwide. The ROBOTREPORT: Exploring the Business and Applications of Robotics. Retrieved March 18, 2020, from https:// www.therobotreport.com/covid-19-pandemic-prompts-more-robot-usage-worldwide/.
• Elo, S., & Kyngas, H. (2007). The Qualitative Content Analysis Process. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 62(1), 107-115.
• Frank, M., Roehring, P., & Pring, B. (2017). What to do when machines do everything: How to get ahead in a world of AI, algorithms, bots and big data. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• Flavián, C. & Casaló, L.V. (2021). Artificial intelligence in services: current trends, benefits and challenges. The Service Industries Journal, 41(13-14), 853-859.
• Fusté-Forné, F. (2021). Robot chefs in gastronomy tourism: What's on the menu? Tourism Management Perspectives 37, 100774.
• Gursoy, D., Chi, O., Lu, L., & Nunkoo, R. (2019). Consumers acceptance of artificially intelligent (AI) device use in service delivery. International Journal of Information Management, 49, 157–169.
• Ho, C., & MacDorman, K. (2010). Revisiting the uncanny valley theory: Developing and validating an alternative to the godspeed indices. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(6), 1508–1518.
• Işık, C., Sirakaya-Turk, E. & Ongan, S. (2019). Testing the efficacy of the economic policy uncertainty index on tourism demand in USMCA: Theory and evidence. Tourism Economics, 26(8), 1344–1357. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354816619888346
• Ivanov, S. (2017). Robonomics - principles, benefits, challenges, solutions. Yearbook of Varna University of Management, 10, 283-293.
• Ivanov, S. (2019). Ultimate transformation: How will automation technologies disrupt the travel, tourism and hospitality industries? Zeitschrift für Tourismuswissenschaft, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1515/tw-2019-0003
• Ivanov, S. (2020). The impact of automation on tourism and hospitality jobs. Information Technology & Tourism, 22, 205–215.
• Ivanov, S. H., & Webster, C. (2017a). Adoption of robots, artificial intelligence and service automation by travel, tourism and hospitality companies–a cost-benefit analysis. International Scientific Conference “Contemporary tourism – traditions and innovations. Sofia: Sofia University.
• Ivanov, S., & Webster, C. (2019a). What should robots do? A comparative analysis of industry professionals, In J. Pesonen, & J. Neidhardt (Eds.), Information and communication technologies in tourism 2019- Proceedings of the International Conference in Nicosia, Cyprus, January 30–February 1, (pp. 249-262). Springer, Cham, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05940-8.
• Ivanov, S., & Webster, C. (2017b). Designing robot-friendly hospitality facilities. Proceedings of the Scientific Conference ''Tourism. Innovations. Strategies'', 13–14 October 2017, Bourgas, Bulgaria, (pp. 74–81), Available at https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3053206.
• Ivanov, S., & Webster, C. (2019b). Perceived appropriateness and intention to use service robots in tourism. In Pesonen, J. & Neidhardt, J. (Eds.). Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2019, Proceedings of the International Conference in Nicosia, Cyprus, 30.01-01.02.2019, 237-248.
• Ivanov S., & Webster, C. (2019c). Economic fundamentals of the use of robots, artificial intelligence and service automation in travel, tourism and hospitality. In Ivanov, S. & Webster, C. (Eds.). Robots, artificial intelligence and service automation in travel, tourism and hospitality (pp. 39-55). Emerald Publishing, Bingley.
• Ivanov, S., Gretzel, U., Berezina, K., Sigala, M., & Webster, C. (2019). Progress on robotics in hospitality and tourism: a review of the literature. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 10(4), 489-521.
• Ivanov, S., Seyitoğlu, F., & Markova, M. (2021). Hotel managers’ perceptions towards the use of robots: a mixed-methods approach. Information Technology & Tourism, 22, 505–535.
• Ivanov, S., Webster, C., & Berezina, K. (2017). Adoption of robots and service automation by tourism and hospitality companies. Revista Turismo & Desenvolvimento (27/28), 1501-1517.
• Ivanov, S., Webster, C., & Garenko, A. (2018). Young Russian adults' attitudes towards the potential use of robots in hotels‏. Technology in Society, 55, 24-32.
• Kamruzzaman, M., & Tareq, M. (2017). Design and Implementation of a Robotic Technique Based Waiter. 3rd International Conference on Electrical Information and Communication Technology (EICT), 7-9 December 2017. Khulna, Bangladesh.
• Kim, J., Christodoulidou, N., & Choo, Y. (2013). Factors influencing customer acceptance of kiosks at quick service restaurants. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 4(1), 40-63.
• Kim, T.T., Yoo, J.J.E., Lee, G., & Kim, J. (2012). Emotional intelligence and emotional labor acting strategies among frontline hotel employees. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 24(7), 1029–1046
• Larivière, B., Bowen, D., Andreassen, W., Kunz, W., Sirianni, J., Voss, C., Wünderlich N. V., Keyser, A. (2017). ‘‘Service encounter 2.0”: An investigation into the roles of technology, employees and customers. Journal of Business Research, 79, 238–246.
• Kuo, C.-M., Chen, L.-C., & Tseng, C.-Y. (2017). Investigating an innovative service with hospitality robots. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 29(5), 1305-1321.
• Kokkinou, A., & Cranage, D. (2013). Using self-service technology to reduce customer waiting times. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 33, 435–445.
• Li, J. J., Bonn, M., & Ye, B. (2019). Hotel employee's artificial intelligence and robotics awareness and its impact on turnover intention: The moderating roles of perceived organizational support and competitive psychological climate. Tourism Management, 73, 172-181.
• MA. Buhalis, D., Harwood, T., & Bogicevic, V. (2019). Technological disruptions in services: lessons from tourism and hospitality. Journal of Service Management, 30(4), 484-506.
• MIT Technology Review (2022). 10 Breakthrough Technologies, Retrieved 5 July 2022, from https://www.technologyreview.com/magazines/10-breakthrough-technologies-2018/ Oracle. (2020). Restaurant 2025: Emerging technologies destined to reshape our business. Retrieved August, 28, 2020 from https://www.oracle.com/webfolder/s/delivery_production/docs/FY16h1/doc36/Restaurant-2025-Oracle-Hospitality.pdf.
• Park, S. (2020). Multifaceted trust in tourism service robots. Annals of Tourism Research, 81, 1–12.
• Park, S. Y., Kim, S., & Leifer, L. (2017). “Human Chef” to “Computer Chef”: Culinary Interactions Framework for Understanding HCI in the Food Industry. Conference: International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58071-5_17.
• Qui, H., Li, M., Shu, B., & Bai, B. (2020). Enhancing hospitality experience with service robots: The mediating role of rapport building‏. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 29(3), 247-268.
• Rosenbaum, M., & Wong, I. (2015). If you install it, will they use it? Understanding why hospitality customers take "technological pauses" from self-service technology. Journal of Business Research, 68, 1862-1868.
• Saunders, B., Sim, J., Kingstone, T., Baker, S., Waterfield, J., Bartlam, B., Burroughs H., & Jinks, C. (2018). Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization. Quality & Quantity, 52(4), 1893-1907.
• Seyitoglu, F., & Ivanov, S. (2020a). Understanding the Robotic Restaurant Experience: A Multiple Case Study. Journal of Tourism Futures. https://doi.org/10.1108/JTF-04-2020-0070.
• Seyitoğlu, F., & Ivanov, S. (2020b). Service robots as a tool for physical distancing in tourism. Current Issues in Tourism, https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2020.1774518.
• Seyitoğlu, F., Ivanov, S., Atsız, O & Çifçi, İ. (2021). Robots as restaurant employees - A double-barrelled detective story. Technology in Society 67. 101779. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101779
• Shiomi, M., Sakamoto, D., Kanda, T., Ishi, C., Ishiguro, H., & Hagita, N. (2011). Field trial of a networked robot at a train station. International Journal of Social Robotics, 3(1), 27-40.
• Tan, T.-H., Chang, C.-S., & Chen, Y.-F. (2012). Developing an Intelligent e-Restaurant with a Menu Recommender for Customer-Centric Service,” in Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Part C: Applications and Reviews. IEEE Transactions, 42, 775-78.
• Tian, X., & Pu, Y. (2008). An artificial neural network approach to hotel employee satisfaction: The case of China. Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal, 36(4), 467-482.
• Tung, V., & Au, N. (2018). Exploring customer experiences with robotics in hospitality. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 30(7), 2680–2697.
• Tung, V., & Law, R. (2017). The potential for tourism and hospitality experience research in human-robot interactions. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 29(10), 2498-2513.
• Tuomi, A., Tussyadiah, I., & Stienmetz, J. (2019). Service Robots and the Changing Roles of Employees in Restaurants: A Cross Cultural Study. e-Review of Tourism Research (eRTR), 17(5), 662-673.
• Tussyadiah, I., & Park, S. (2018). Consumer evaluation of hotel service robots. In B. Stangl, & J. Pesone (Eds.), Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism (pp. 308–320). Cham: Springer.
• Virto, N., & López, M. (2019). Robots, Artificial Intelligence, and Service Automation to the Core: Remastering Experiences at Museums. In S. Ivanov, & C. Webster (Eds.), Robots, Artificial Intelligence, and Service Automation in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality (pp. 239-253). Emerald Publishing Limited.
• Vu, N., Ghadge, A., & Bourlakis, M. (2022). Evidence-driven model for implementing Blockchain in food supply chains. International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications. https://doi.org/10.1080/13675567.2022.2115987.
• Wang, C., Luo, C., & Tai, F. (2017). Implementation of delightful services: From the perspective of frontline service employees. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 31, 90–104.
• Webster, C., & Ivanov, S. (2020b). Robotics, artificial intelligence, and the evolving nature of work. In B. George, & J. Paul (Eds.), Digital Transformation in Business and Society Theory and Cases (pp. 127-143). Palgrave-MacMillan.
• Webster, C., &Ivanov, S. (2020a). Future tourism in a robot-based economy: a perspective article. Tourism Review, 75(1), 329-332.
• Wirtz, J., Patterson, P., Kunz, W., Gruber, T., & Lu, V. (2018). Brave new world: Service robots in the frontline. Journal of Service Management, 29(5), 907-931.
• Yan, W., Fu, Z., Liu, Y., Zhao, Y., & Zhou, X. (2007). A novel automatic cooking robot for Chinese dishes. Robotica, 25, 1-6.
• Yu, E. (2019). Humanlike robots as employees in the hotel industry: Thematic content analysis of online reviews. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 29, 22-38.
• Zeng, Z., Chen, P., & Lew, A. (2020). From high-touch to high-tech: COVID-19 drives robotics adoption. Tourism Geographies, 22(3), 724-734.
• Zhu, D.H., & Chang, Y.P., (2020). Robot with humanoid hands cooks food better? Effect of robotic chef anthropomorphism on food quality prediction. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 32(3), 1367-1383.