Thesis
The stories of hoteliers : personal narratives in entrepreneurial leadership
- Creator
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2015
- Thesis identifier
- T14107
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201088198
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- This thesis considers the question, what do hoteliers do? Specifically, how do hoteliers interpret their personal narratives in a manner that informs the process of enacting their roles? It also asks, how do personal narratives mediate understanding of entrepreneurial leadership? The thesis synthesises leadership and entrepreneurship; it reconciles some of the disparate contributions made within these fields to inform our understanding of the role of the hotelier by way of a hermeneutical exploration of the personal narratives constructed by hoteliers. It also considers how these are used in the enactment of entrepreneurial leadership. The thesis contributes to the fields of entrepreneurship, leadership and hospitality studies by highlighting the importance of constructing and harnessing personal career narratives and using these to navigate the uncertain and emergent hotel industry. It begins by discussing entrepreneurship theory, specifically the importance of process, context and its role in the hotel industry. It then considers leadership theory to identify a field of enquiry that is populated by multiple definitions, informed by many methodological and ontological perspectives. Process and context are also discussed in relation to leadership and, from this, the literature relating to the hotel industry as a field of enquiry is discussed. Through a hermeneutical three stage reflective process, the construction of the hotel industry according to hoteliers as well as the components of their role is explored. Following this, a definitive articulation of what it is to be an entrepreneurial leader in the hotel industry is presented: someone who reconciles the ever-changing and dynamic industry context with a need to be strategic. This is seen as the positive harnessing of personal narratives to create a generative grammar for effectual processes. The thesis thus develops effectuation theory by exploring and explaining the means by which effectuation is actually enacted. Hoteliers select and recount episodes from personal narratives to inform the ways in which they enact their roles. The identification and analysis of this practice of relating positive professional outcomes to personal stories augments and contributes to knowledge of entrepreneurial leadership and the entrepreneurial process.
- Resource Type
- DOI
- Date Created
- 2015
- Former identifier
- 1237274
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