Tan, Kim-Lim, Gim, Gabriel C.W., Sim, Adriel K.S., Lew, Tek-Yew, and Hii, Ivy (2025) Do back-of-house hospitality hybrid workers in Hong Kong enjoy work–family enrichment? A two-wave study on meaningful work and psychological needs. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 8 (11). pp. 221-239.

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Abstract

Purpose This study investigates how meaningful work (MW) influences the three basic psychological needs, which, in turn, affect the four dimensions of hybrid working. It further explores how these outcomes contribute to work–family enrichment (WFE) among back-of-house employees in Hong Kong’s hospitality industry, a critical yet under-researched segment.

Design/methodology/approach Data collected from 332 back-of-house employees in Hong Kong’s hospitality sector using a two-wave survey design were analyzed via the partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings The results showed that MW positively influences the three basic psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness and competency. Only fulfilling the needs for autonomy positively influences the four dimensions of hybrid working (i.e. job effectiveness, well-being, relationship with organization and work–life balance). However, fulfilling other basic psychological needs showed differential results. Among the four dimensions of hybrid working, job effectiveness, well-being and relationship with the organization enrich the work–family domain.

Practical implications This study improves our knowledge on hybrid workers’ work–family dynamics. Specifically, it highlights how MW and the fulfillment of basic psychological needs – particularly autonomy – enhance hybrid work outcomes such as job effectiveness, well-being and employee–organization relationships and in turn, positively influence WFE. This study also offers suggestions on how organizations can design a positive hybrid work experience that is especially valuable for hospitality employers seeking to retain and motivate back-of-house talent in a competitive labor market.

Originality/value This study is among the first few studies that include hybrid working, basic psychological needs and WFE in one model. At the same time, this study extended literature by incorporating MW, an increasingly relevant constructs transforming workplaces.

Item ID:	86953
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	2514-9806
Copyright Information:	© Kim-Lim Tan, Gabriel C.W. Gim, Adriel K.S. Sim, Tek-Yew Lew and Ivy S.H. Hii. Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at Link to the terms of the CC BY 4.0 licence.
Date Deposited:	26 Aug 2025 02:27
FoR Codes:	35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3505 Human resources and industrial relations > 350503 Human resources management @ 100%
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