The Five Constants: A Confucian Business Model for the Hospitality Industry

Abstract

This exploratory study develops a Confucian hospitality business model through which Confucian hospitality practice is defined, implemented, interconnected, and interpreted. This study reviews the Confucian historical context to provide a holistic picture of the temporal and spatial evolution of Confucianism. Based on the five Confucian constants of humanity, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness, this study hermeneutically develops a Confucian hospitality business model that embraces business ethics, leadership, work ethics, service provision, and corporate social responsibility. This study is the first to present a holistic understanding of hospitality practice in the light of Confucianism and to propose a Confucian hospitality business model. The model can be adopted by hospitality practitioners who are based in Confucian areas, serve Confucian customers, hire Confucian employees, or establish Confucian partnerships. Based on the model, Confucian hospitality training programs can be developed to guide future hospitality education.