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Examining the impact of fun in the workplace in hospitality internships

Michael J. Tews et al.

International Hospitality Review2025https://doi.org/10.1108/ihr-06-2024-0030article
AJG 1
Weight
0.37

What the paper says

Purpose This study examines the importance of fun in the workplace within the context of hospitality internships. It aims to determine the impact of three dimensions of fun – fun activities, coworker socializing and manager support for fun – on the perceived value of internships and students' commitment to pursuing a career in the hospitality industry. Design/methodology/approach The study involved a sample of 253 hospitality management students in The Netherlands. Data were collected through an online survey and analyzed using multiple regression to assess the relationships between fun in the workplace, internship value and industry commitment. The study also considered the influence of job characteristics, social support and work-life conflict. Findings The results indicated that coworker socializing had a positive relationship with both internship value and industry commitment. Manager support for fun positively influenced internship value but had a negative relationship with industry commitment. Fun activities did not significantly impact either outcome. Additionally, skill variety was found to be crucial for internship value, particularly for operational interns. Practical implications The findings suggest that while fun in the workplace can enhance the internship experience, it should not overshadow other critical factors such as skill variety, supervisor support and the presence of role models. Internship programs should focus on providing diverse and challenging tasks to maximize perceived value and industry commitment among students. Originality/value This study extends the research on workplace fun by focusing on its role in the internship experience within the hospitality industry. It provides insights into how different dimensions of fun affect internship outcomes and highlights the importance of balancing fun with other essential aspects of the work environment to foster positive student experiences and career aspirations.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/ihr-06-2024-0030

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@article{michael2025,
  title        = {{Examining the impact of fun in the workplace in hospitality internships}},
  author       = {Michael J. Tews et al.},
  journal      = {International Hospitality Review},
  year         = {2025},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/ihr-06-2024-0030},
}

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Examining the impact of fun in the workplace in hospitality internships

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Evidence weight

0.37

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.16 × 0.4 = 0.06
M · momentum0.53 × 0.15 = 0.08
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.