Understanding Service Operations Strategy

Abstract

This chapter covers four main concepts: (a) providing an understanding of service; (b) organizing hospitality decisions and processes; (c) defining strategic service visions; and (d) dissecting operations strategies for hospitality services. In the first section, the definition of service, the five service dimensions, and the service package are covered. In the second section, hospitality decisions and processes are framed by service concepts and the service-profit chain. A service concept is the starting point for developing hospitality operations strategies, while the service-profit chain explains the link from customer satisfaction and customer loyalty to a service firm’s growth and profitability. In the third section, the strategic service vision is explored. Successful service firms all have a strategic service vision, which includes a set of ideas and actions organized in a systematic way to maximize a firm’s performance. In the fourth and final section, the operations strategy for hospitality services is covered. Successful service operations occur when management defines and adheres to a competitive operations strategy.

Citation

Dalton, A.N. and Yoo, M.(. (2021), "Understanding Service Operations Strategy", Szende, P., Dalton, A.N. and Yoo, M.(M). (Ed.) Operations Management in the Hospitality Industry, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83867-541-720211001