Literature Review: Technology's Future in Housekeeping (Hospitality)

This literature review examines the evolving role of technology within the housekeeping department, focusing on its impact on efficiency, communication, and guest satisfaction in the hospitality industry. The review synthesizes various sources, including academic papers and industry reports, to highlight how technologies such as mobile apps, property management systems (PMS), and automated cleaning solutions are reshaping housekeeping operations. It explores how technology facilitates better coordination, real-time updates, and improved service delivery, while also addressing the need for staff training and adaptation. The review emphasizes the importance of technology in meeting guest expectations for cleanliness and convenience, ultimately suggesting that innovation in this area is crucial for hotels to remain competitive and resource-efficient. The analysis also considers the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting new technologies, providing insights into the future trends and potential advancements in housekeeping practices.

Running Head: HOUSEKEEPING 0
IT

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The future role of technology in housekeeping
According to Boyce (2016) technology is said to be the making, modifications, knowledge of
tools, usage, techniques, systems, and crafts in order to solve complex problems.
Housekeeping is also said to be the act of cleaning and furnishing of the room. It is true that
the housekeeping department is responsible for then up keeping as well as cleaning of the
hotel guest areas. IT is done in order to ensure the area looks safer, better, and easier for the
guests. Due to this, housekeeping department plays the essential role in the hotel industry.
Some of the items that are included in the housekeeping department are the brooms, vacuum
cleaners, detergents, mops and sponges, bleach and disinfectants.
Due to the increasing technological development, it is true that the era of housekeeping
department will change. For example- the use of intercom system will make the things easier
for the front desk to contact the housekeeping department at any time. By using the
telephone, there is only need to dial the single phone number that is assigned to each
department in hotel. In the recent time as well as in future, communication and apps will take
place. It has also seen the development in the apps and technological system. Law, Chan and
Wang (2018) stated that, it will also provide the communication between management, staff,
housekeeper, property owners, guests, as well as maintenance personnel in future.
It is also founded that by making connection with the property management system at front
desk can quickly be conveyed to the executive housekeeper. It will help in updating the team
members regarding the updated or new priority list. Besides this, mobile apps also allow the
housekeeper to directly send the automated photos and alerts of the situations. Similarly,
found and lost can also be updated quickly while issues of security can also rapidly circulated
for ensuring the more effective coordination during the onsite crises and incidents.
Kansakar, Munir and Shabani, (2019) has discussed that in order to bring the future
development in technology, it is still required by the housekeepers to get trained, motivated
or retrained in order to give the best performance. By taking the advantages of the new
software, benefits of huge saving in the cost of labour and accountability can be taken.
For meeting the growing demand, the future of housekeeping also demands on the students
who are coming out of institutes related to hospitality. Due to the high advancement in
technology, people also become more aware. Due to the increasing changes and innovation in
the technology, housekeeping department is also able to ensure the quick services on time.
The best example of the technology in housekeeping has been proved by Amazon. It has
brought such technology that will automatically enter the home in order to deliver the
services. Due to this, the future of housekeeping department also lies in the capability for tech
companies. It is also stated that many hotels still use the walkies-talkies in order to
communicate from office and housekeeping. However, with the help of technologies, maid
who are working in housekeeping can also use the smartphone in order to login into the PMS.
In the remote areas too, maid will be able to check the rooms that are ready to clean or

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required to change the status of room. They can also check the name of guest before
knocking the door.
In this regard, Darby (2018) also said that the technological improvements will also bring
several advantages. The main advantage is that it helps the receptionist to falsely book the
room without even interrupting the housekeeping workflows. As compare to this, Solnet,
Baum, Robinson and Lockstone-Binney (2016) it has also stated that embracing any
technology in the housekeeping is the significant and longer journey as compare to any
department. Due to this, hotels are also required to shift into the new and innovative age of
technology. Technology will also bring such system that will keep the entry of those rooms in
a system that are cleaned.
In this way, technology is the significant part of the people lives today. The world has also
achieved various benefits by using the technology. In the recent time, every guest requires the
excellent housekeeping in order to satisfy. Among the entire cited list, cleanliness has seen to
be the top priority. In this way, the use of technology will help the hotels to run with less
resources and at the same time, deliver the high quality of experience for the guests.
Therefore, due to the increasing technology, hotels can rely on several systems. At the end, it
can also be stated that innovation in the technology has given the wings to the housekeeping
department to satisfy its customers.

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References
Boyce, J.M., 2016. Modern technologies for improving cleaning and disinfection of
environmental surfaces in hospitals. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 5(1), p.10.
Darby, S.J., 2018. Smart technology in the home: time for more clarity. Building Research &
Information, 46(1), pp.140-147.
Kansakar, P., Munir, A. and Shabani, N., 2019. Technology in the Hospitality Industry:
Prospects and Challenges. IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine, 8(3), pp.60-65.
Law, R., Chan, I.C.C. and Wang, L., 2018. A comprehensive review of mobile technology
use in hospitality and tourism. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 27(6),
pp.626-648.
Neuhofer, B., Buhalis, D. and Ladkin, A., 2015. Smart technologies for personalized
experiences: a case study in the hospitality domain. Electronic Markets, 25(3), pp.243-254.
Solnet, D., Baum, T., Robinson, R.N. and Lockstone-Binney, L., 2016. What about the
workers? Roles and skills for employees in hotels of the future. Journal of Vacation
Marketing, 22(3), pp.212-226.