Closing the Gap between Hospitality Industry and Academia Research Agendas: An Exploratory Analysis Case Study

ABSTRACT The research needs, timelines, and priority gaps between the hospitality industry and academia are well documented in the literature, with limited actions taken by either side to bridge this research disparity. By exploratory analysis, we used the novel approach of organizing an academic seminar with research presentations, hosted for approximately 80 senior industry executives – to firstly demonstrate academic research relevance to industry, and secondly to survey attendees on how to create greater academic and industry research collaboration. The findings confirmed a lack of research cooperation and contrasting research agendas, reinforcing previous literature of industry requiring research that was timely, confidential, easy-to-read, and practical – all of which could run contrary to academia research priorities. Importantly, the industry practitioners expressed a wish to engage and work on research with Macao’s hospitality academics. This exploratory analysis is a first in the literature to use a real-life seminar to present hospitality academic research to industry, and act as a stimulus for future research communication and collaboration between academia and industry.