As the first national standard for the hotel industry in China, the hotel star rating standards have played a pivotal role in promoting standardized operations and effective supervision. However, in recent years, the guiding influence of these standards has been progressively diluted and even questioned, a phenomenon that academia has yet to fully explore. This research employs qualitative methods to compare and analyze the hotel star rating standards of China with those of international markets. By identifying key differences, it investigates the root causes behind the weakened impact of these standards. Key findings: (1) Discrepancies in Standards: Significant differences exist between Chinese and international hotel star rating standards in terms of regulations, content, structure, and evaluation processes. Compared to international standards, Chinese standards have become outdated, diminishing their effectiveness in guiding hotel operations. (2) The“de-star”Phenomenon: The trend of Chinese star-rated hotels abandoning their stars is influenced by governance methods, market dynamics, issues with the star rating system itself, and changing consumer demands. This trend has intensified with the entry of international hotel brands, evolving into a common challenge across the industry. This study is the first to compare Chinese and international hotel star ratings in depth, correlating these findings with real-world hotel operations to unearth the deeper reasons for the declining role of star ratings. It aims to offer valuable insights for the transformation and upgrading of the hotel industry.

In recent years, an increasing number of hotels have introduced anthropomorphic robots to enhance customer service. However, service failures inevitably occur. Despite this, limited research has examined the impact of robot anthropomorphism on customer responses in the context of service failures within hotels. This study, grounded in mind perception theory and the Task-Technology Fit Theory, develops a theoretical model exploring the relationship between robot anthropomorphism and customer tolerance for service failures. Results reveal that customer tolerance for robot service failures decreases as the level of robot anthropomorphism increases. Anthropomorphism heightens customers’performance expectations (or empathy), which in turn reduces (or increases) tolerance for service failures. Furthermore, task type moderates the relationships between robot anthropomorphism and customer tolerance for service failures, performance expectations, and empathy. Specifically, when high-anthropomorphism robots fail at performing social-emotional tasks (or low-anthropomorphism robots fail at mechanical tasks), customers exhibit lower tolerance and empathy and have higher performance expectations. This research uncovers two novel mediation paths (performance expectations and empathy) by which robot anthropomorphism affects customer tolerance for service failures, expanding the applications of mind perception theory and task-technology fit theory.

With the rapid development and widespread adoption of the internet, online communication between leaders and employees has become commonplace in hotel operations. However, there is scant academic focus on the effects of such communication on employees. This paper, grounded in cognitive appraisal theory, explores through four experimental groups how the use of emojis in online communications between hotel leaders and employees impacts employees’ perceived workplace enjoyment and the underlying mechanisms. The findings indicate: (1) The use of emojis in online communications by leaders affects employees’ perception of workplace enjoyment. (2) In positive contexts, emotional intensity mediates the relationship between leaders’ emoji use and employees’ perceived workplace enjoyment. (3) In positive (negative) contexts, employees’ empathy capability positively (negatively) moderates the relationship between leaders’ emoji use and employees’ emotional intensity. (4) In positive (negative) contexts, the leader-member exchange relationship positively (negatively) moderates the relationship between employees’ emotional intensity and their perceived workplace enjoyment. This study contributes to understanding the mechanisms by which emoji usage in online communications influences employees’ perception of workplace enjoyment, offering practical guidance for hotel management in optimizing online communication strategies and enhancing communication effectiveness.

In the context of a rapidly changing external environment and increasingly fierce competition, open innovation facilitates hotels in acquiring innovative resources, knowledge, and market opportunities through collaboration with external partners, thereby enhancing their innovation capabilities and competitive advantage. This study integrates open innovation theory with Population Ecology, employing a longitudinal single-case study of a typical hotel enterprise to dissect the formation, dynamic evolution, and driving mechanisms of the open innovation ecosystem in hotels. Analysis of theory combined with case studies indicates: (1) Phased Evolution. The open innovation process in hotels shows distinct phase changes, evolving with the different stages of hotel development, ultimately forming an open innovation system. (2) Dynamic Interaction. Within the evolving open innovation system, interactions between different populations, within populations, and among individuals within these populations are continuously dynamic. (3) Driving Mechanisms. The evolution of the hotel’s open innovation ecosystem is driven by a synergy of external environmental changes and internal corporate reforms. The different sources between driving force and their interactions at various stages propel the evolution of the open innovation ecosystem.

This research constructs a theoretical framework for the dynamic evolution of the hotel’s open innovation ecosystem, revealing the patterns and trends of its evolution across different stages of hotel development. It provides in-depth analysis of the sources of driving force and mechanisms driving this evolution, thereby broadening the study of open innovation ecosystems in the context of the hospitality industry and offering insights for promoting open innovation and achieving high-quality development in hotels.

With the increasing diversification of tourist needs in the rural B&B sector, enhancing tourist experiences and understanding the factors influencing and the interaction mechanisms of behavioural intentions are of great significance for the development of the B&B industry. Based on this context, this study applies the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) Theory to construct and empirically test a theoretical model exploring the impacts of nostalgic emotions, perceived value, and memorable tourism experiences on tourists’ behavioural intentions. The findings are as follows: (1) Nostalgic emotions significantly and positively affect perceived value and memorable tourism experiences. (2) Nostalgic emotions do not have a significant direct effect on behavioural intentions. (3) Perceived value positively influences memorable tourism experiences and behavioural intentions. (4) Memorable tourism experiences positively affect behavioural intentions. (5) Perceived value and memorable tourism experiences mediate the relationship between nostalgic emotions and behavioural intentions. This research provides theoretical support and empirical evidence for rural B&B operators to enhance tourist experiences and optimize development strategies.