How has the knowledge of employee goal orientation evolved in hospitality research over the last two decades? Insights for researchers and practitioners

This study analyzes the development of hotel goal orientation literature by examining 42 articles published between 2003 and 2023. Through content analysis and co-citation analysis using VOSviewer, the bibliometric and intellectual structure contributing to the development of hotel goal orientation literature are identified and visualized. Learning goal orientation is the most adopted conceptualization and its key outcomes being performance, innovativeness, service quality, customer relationships, and others. Key antecedents and mediators and moderators were also identified. Results of the co-citation analysis shows that the literature contributing to hotel goal orientation knowledge focuses on cognitive and motivational processes; international environment; customer orientation and organizational performance; organizational learning and innovation; and entrepreneurship and competitive advantage. The study also identifies current knowledge gaps that can serve as future research directions by comparing with previous literature reviews. Hotel managers can use this information to develop policies that promote employees' goal orientation and improve organizational competitiveness.