Project Reference No.: UGC/IIDS17/H02/24
Project Title: Positive Psychology 2.0: The Roles of Psychology of Spirituality and Transcendence in Facing Ever-Changing Environment and Life Adversities
Principal Investigator: Prof CHAN Chi-keung (TWC)

Abstract

Since Professor Martin Seligman’s APA presidential address in 1998, positive psychology (PP) research, interventions, and practices have been growing exponentially and affecting mainstream psychology, shifting it from the disease model to the strength-based (flourish) model. Although there is no doubt about the potentials and benefits of applying PP, there are still a lot of controversies and criticisms concerning the over-boosting of positive aspects (or implying a polarizing discourse that positive qualities are necessarily beneficial) and ignoring the reality and benefits that the negative aspects play in human life. Emmons (2003: p.156) suggested “a good life … is achieved … but through meeting suffering head on and transforming it into opportunities for meaning, wisdom, and growth, with the ultimate objective being the development of the person into a fully-functioning, mature being.” Given that suffering is inevitable and undeniable, this inspired Paul Wong (2011) to propose a more balanced perspective of positive psychology by confronting the dark sides of human existence and understand the unique experience and expression of flourishing. The above arguments led to the development of positive psychology 2.0 (PP 2.0) which expanded the concept of “dynamic harmonization” between positive and negative qualities with greater depth by including existential positive psychology (Wong, 2016a) and greater breath by including indigenous psychology (Chang et al., 2016; Wong, 2013).

The COVID pandemic showed that suffering and painful experiences are inevitable for all of us. Even without the pandemic, natural disasters, conflicts and wars, social inequality, racial discrimination, ever-widening income gap, chronic diseases, mental health problems, and existential pain etc., indicating all of us are facing an ever-changing world with a lot of life adversities and difficulties. A deepened question of PP 2.0 is “What brings out the best in all people in their strivings for survival and flourishing in challenging situations?” The PP 2.0 advocates suggest to fully develop our spirituality (both theistic and non-theistic) to live a meaningful life based on self-transcendence (sacrificing love and serving others). In facing life adversities, spirituality has been found to be an important coping resource that improves adjustment and wellbeing (e.g., Pargament et al., 2001; Tix & Frazier, 1998). Paul Wong (2016) also developed the spiritual self-transcendence model based on Viktor Frankl’s concept, believing that self-transcendence can help mental health clients turn suffering into resilience by understanding life adversities as events that provide meaning, life goals, and healthy values. Hence, it is important to explore the ways to cultivate and apply spirituality and self-transcendence to enhance eudemonic well-being and flourishing in facing ever-changing environment and life adversities.

The proposed IIDS project will collaborate with the Center for Religious and Spirituality Education of the Education University of Hong Kong and the International Network of Personal Meaning (INPM) to co-organize a four-day international conference on the theme of Positive Psychology 2.0: Exploring The Roles of Psychology of Spirituality and Transcendence in Facing Ever-Changing Environment and Life Adversities. The international conference will include six plenary lectures, eight parallel sessions, pre- and post- conference workshops that provide a blend of empirical investigations and evidence-based practices to facilitate exchanges between scholars and practitioners (both overseas and local) across disciplines, thereby increasing understanding of the development of research, practices, and interventions on psychology of spirituality and transcendence. The proposed IIDS project will benefit local and overseas scholars, researchers, practitioners, educators, and students by improving understanding of cultivating spirituality and self-transcendence as proactive and transformative coping approaches that enhance eudemonic wellbeing and flourishing in facing global challenging situations and life adversities, which further inform culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate eudemonic-focused practices.

Project Reference No.: UGC/IIDS24/H02/24
Project Title: Shaping Primary Healthcare Policy – Application of the Primary Health Care Performance Initiative (PHCPI)
Principal Investigator: Dr FONG Ben Yuk-fai (PolyU SPEED)

Abstract

The project is a visionary initiative that aims at transforming the landscape of primary healthcare policy. Recognising the critical shift from treatment to prevention, this project addresses the need for a more significant investment and promotion in primary healthcare, which has historically received only a fraction of public health expenditure compared to secondary and tertiary services in Hong Kong.

Central to this initiative is the active involvement of a diverse cadre of highly qualified professionals, fostering multidisciplinary teamwork, interprofessional collaboration, and transdisciplinary approaches. Comprising accomplished academics who are healthcare professionals from various disciplines, this team enriches this initiative with a wealth of expertise and perspectives. Emphasising the significance of intersectoral collaboration, the project aims to engage community members, healthcare professionals, academics, and policy makers alike. By organising a conference, series of seminars and workshops, the project will create a platform for in-depth discussions on the challenges and opportunities within primary healthcare policy. The primary goal is to bridge the existing gap between current practices and the ideal vision of seamless, holistic care through the collective efforts of diverse stakeholders.

One of the project's objectives is to promote the understanding and application of the Primary Health Care Performance Initiative (PHCPI) framework. Developed through extensive research, the PHCPI framework describes strong primary healthcare systems and identifies gaps where data are lacking. It emphasises service delivery processes that influence the quality of care. Specifically, the project will apply the PHCPI's focus on access, availability of effective primary healthcare services, people-centred care, and organisation and management. By partnering with stakeholders, the project intends to systematically collect information to strengthen policies and programmes through evidence-based approaches in areas like timely care provision and workforce competence. Ultimately, consistently applying this standardised yet adaptable framework can help benchmarking and continually enhance Hong Kong's primary healthcare.

The project will also focus on identifying and addressing research gaps in primary healthcare, fostering knowledge exchange, and encouraging research collaboration, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. It aims to inform policy makers with evidence-based recommendations, thereby enhancing the quality and effectiveness of primary healthcare policies. Furthermore, the project will equip health-related students with skills and knowledge essential for their future careers in primary healthcare. By involving them in policy discussions and research, the project seeks to inspire a new generation of healthcare advocates and professionals.

Short-term impacts of the project include the dissemination of knowledge through recorded conference and seminar proceedings, which will be made accessible to a broad audience via the websites of Centre for Ageing and Healthcare Management Research at the School of Professional Education and Executive Development of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU SPEED) and the Translational Research Centre for Digital Mental Health of Tung Wah College. The project will also foster enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, including policy makers, leading to a more unified approach to tackling healthcare challenges. In the long term, the project aspires to wield influence over policy decisions, ensuring they are informed by comprehensive research and stakeholder input. It will contribute to building a robust research infrastructure and cultivating a culture of interdisciplinary research. The ultimate goal is to establish sustainable stakeholder engagement, which will perpetuate improvements in primary healthcare policy and practice in Hong Kong.

Project Reference No.: UGC/IIDS15/H01/24
Project Title: “China”: Past to Share/ Past to Contest
Principal Investigator: Prof HE Qiliang (Shue Yan)

Abstract

This proposed project aims to re-examine China as a historical reality—no matter how fluid and malleable—against the rising tide of deconstructionism. It takes the form of an intellectual conversation among internationally renowned scholars from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Japan, England, and the United States, who will have an in-depth discussion of the changing nature of China as a viable historical entity as well as a modern state. The contributors to this project will engage in a discussion of historical China and the discourses of China from different angles and in different contexts. The participants will examine how contemporary China has effloresced from a historically transformative imperial, cultural, or spatial framework with both inheritances and ruptures. This project will organize a two-day international conference in 2025 on the campus of Hong Kong Shue Yan University that is open to both academics and the public.

Project Reference No.: UGC/IIDS14/H01/24
Project Title: A Symposium on Personal Information Protection in China: Online Privacy and Data Ethics
Principal Investigator: Dr HU Hsin-li (HSUHK)

Abstract

The extensive use of online data and communication technologies is generating various ethical issues not previously encountered, such as questions about the ownership and responsible use of personal data, information security, and algorithm fairness. Online privacy and data ethics are the moral cornerstones for cyberspace, but how to secure and compliant information and data regulations in China is still a fledgling question.

On 1 November 2021, the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL; 個人信息保護法) came into effect in PR China. As China’s first specialised legislation to standardise personal information processing, the PIPL stipulates the principles to be followed when processing personal information and the rights of and protections for personal information subjects, improving personal information protection and the security of cross-border data transfers. In data governance, legal constraints and flexible ethical norms usually go hand-in-hand. Compared with laws and regulations, ethics codes reflect more of a general direction and universal guidance.

The project is a two-day seminar featuring a keynote speech and four panel sessions by renowned scholars and leading experts specialising in information technology law and communication in Greater China. The aim is to bring together scholars and industry practitioners for an in-depth discussion on personal information protection in cyberspace from various perspectives. Thematic topics include (1) developing trends, opportunities, and challenges and a future research agenda for online privacy in China; (2) the role of data and information ethics in digital communication; (3) comparative research on legislation in other jurisdictions, such as the General Data Protection Regulation in the EU and the California Consumer Privacy Act in the US and (4) risk and compliance in data application and cross-border transfer, strategies for Hong Kong’s role as a super connector from the perspective of data security and governance.

Project Reference No.: UGC/IIDS16/E01/24
Project Title: Navigating Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Digital Era: How Smart Buildings Become the Key to Sustainability
Principal Investigator: Dr LAM Stephen Siu-kei (HKMU)

Abstract

Introduction

In response to the Paris Agreement, the Hong Kong government has launched its climate policy and established a target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 (Environment and Ecology Bureau, 2021). One of the key strategies emphasized energy saving and green buildings. The building industry is one of the major contributors to fossil energy consumption and carbon emission. Real estate in Hong Kong accounted for 60% of carbon emissions. Notably, air-conditioning systems, lighting, hot water, and refrigeration systems of buildings account for 48% of the energy used in commercial settings (HK2050 is NOW, n.d.). This reality has spurred a strong drive towards integrating intelligent green technologies in building development, aiming to enhance operational efficiency, minimize energy usage, and elevate living standards. Smart buildings could be transformed with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency, sustainability and liveability for all. The use of AI technology in smart buildings can lead to improvements in energy efficiency, predictive maintenance, space usage efficiency and automation of tasks. AI technology allows developers to create smart buildings that can analyse data and make real-time adjustments. It has the potential to remodel the development of smart buildings. This strong adoption of advanced technologies is applicable to new building construction and for retrofitting existing buildings. The concept of “Smart Green Building” emerged as a powerful solution that combines smart technologies that utilize I&T and digital device systems, and sustainability design to create harmony with the environment while optimizing resource and operational efficiencies (Hong Kong Green Building Council, 2021, p. 17).

Opportunities and challenges

The opportunity of developing smart green building is huge with the increasing coverage of 5G network in Hong Kong as internet become the backbone of smart buildings. The emergence of digital technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), digital twin, virtual reality (VR), building information modelling (BIM) and artificial intelligence (AI), together with the sustainable building materials and renewable energy systems enables the development of energy-saving buildings from the design, construction, operation and maintenance stages. With the governmental goal of being carbon neutral by 2050, more public and private developers are committed to incorporate smart green technologies when working on building projects. It is noteworthy that over 60% of residential buildings have existed for over 30 years in Hong Kong and thus there is a high amount of retrofitting requirement for existing building stocks (Research Office, Legislative Council Secretariat, 2020). With the existing building structures and limited availability of building space poses challenges in retrofitting and implementing smart green technologies.

How the project helps

To expanding the knowledge base and facilitate holistic approach to this topic, as the project's aim suggests, the project team will invite prominent overseas scholars to speak the major topics related to (i) Smart energy management; (ii) Smart infrastructure management; (iii) Intelligent building and construction; (iv) Sustainable building material. The project will create a platform for scholars and practitioners to facilitate discussions on research experience and understanding the four key topics. The project will motivate scholars and colleagues in other disciplines to learn about these four topics and initiate these knowledges in their research projects. The project will enhance the awareness of carbon neutrality to commercial & industrial and building sectors who play important roles in smart green building development in Hong Kong.

Project Reference No.: UGC/IIDS24/B01/24
Project Title: Building Sustainability in Big Health Industry in the Greater Bay Area
Principal Investigator: Dr LAU Yui-yip (PolyU SPEED)

Abstract

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, there is a time to shift from ‘disease-centered’ care to ‘big health’, which aims to strive towards delivering comprehensive health care services to establish the complete care continuum. This project will explore the complex role of big health in this setting via assessing its ability to drive growth across businesses with multiple links and its connection with larger development goals such as the Greater Bay Area (GBA) effort. Meanwhile, the project will organize a series of activities to expand the network of scholars, researchers, industrial practitioners, health professionals, local communities, students, and decision-makers from academia, industry, non-profit sectors, and government departments that are interested in the principles of sustainability. Hence, the project will provide a platform for various parties to discuss how they could encourage economic resilience and regional responsibility, and to share their knowledge and insight into the development of the GBA big health industry.

This project proposes to host a 3-day workshop, a half-day tour, and a 2-day conference. The workshops help improve participants’ knowledge and skills of VR AR technology in the big health industry. The tour provides a real case for participants to understand the settings and operations of the big health industry. Various industries will be covered each day and the subjects will be big health and its related industrial development (i.e., logistics, tourism and hospitality management, e-commerce, healthcare, medical, mental health, as well as innovation and technology) in the GBA. Additionally, we employ the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as entry points, investigating how the big health industry could obtain benefits in the social and economic aspects by attaining the SDG goals such as SDGs 3, 8, 9, and 11. 15 popular topics will be delivered by 15 speakers, including renowned scholars, policymakers, leaders from associations, and industrial practitioners. A rigorous review and speaker selection process will be conducted to ensure a diverse range of high-quality, impactful presentations relevant to the big health issues in the GBA and to generate innovative inputs.

Participants will obtain a multifaceted grasp of how big health can be a catalyst for positive change. They will be exposed to professional perspectives on the convergence of big health, economic growth, and sustainability, particularly in the light of Hong Kong’s unique position in the GBA program. Participants will have a chance to interact with thought leaders and colleagues while debating new ways of big health delivery, medical technology breakthroughs, and policy implications. They will depart with useful knowledge to improve the accessibility of big health, to seize the chances for professional progression in the big health industry, and to develop strategies for their businesses to adapt and succeed in a fast-changing landscape. Furthermore, networking opportunities will allow participants to make useful contacts that may lead to collaborative projects and common activities targeted at crafting a more sustainable and equitable big health future.

The conference aims to promote excellence and knowledge exchange in big health development, thus supporting the attainment of SDG goals. It encourages the application of big health across numerous industries, hence integrating academic theories and industrial practices. The event targets scholars, researchers, industrial practitioners, health professionals, local communities, and university students, with an open invitation to the public. To boost the number of participants, both in-person and virtual options will be offered. All sessions will be recorded and made available online via a dedicated website, along with media broadcast and a guidebook. The objective is to provide a platform and facilitate discussions on the integrated development of the big health industry to meet SDGs and to promote a big health community.

Project Reference No.: UGC/IIDS16/E02/24
Project Title: Digital Twin: Adoption and Training Challenges in Construction Management and Surveying
Principal Investigator: Dr LI Chi-ho (HKMU)

Abstract

Introduction: The integration of Digital twin into the construction management and surveying is part of a broader trend in the adoption of advanced technologies in geospatial data collection and analysis in the construction industry. A digital twin (DT) is a pair of distinct entities that, in the same manner that an image is represented, are used to represent a physical item, system, or process. In the past, the collection, examination, and interpretation of data consisted of surveying using manual devices and procedures. Digital twin in the surveying business may employ certain artificial intelligence (AI) approaches. The profession of construction management and surveying has been entirely revolutionised by artificial intelligence and machine learning, which have made it possible to gather, examine, and analyse data in a more effective and precise manner. Construction Managers and Surveyors are now able to gather geospatial data more quickly and with better detail than ever before because to the creation of autonomous systems, scanners, building information modelling (BIM), and drones that are driven by artificial intelligence. The rise of technology is reassuring young surveyors of new opportunities and positioning them at the top (Sawhney, 2016) for managing construction projects in effective way.

Opportunities and Challenges: For the construction management and surveying industry in Hong Kong, the digital twin offer many opportunities for advancement and innovation. In Hong Kong, the use of drones, powerful scanners and autonomous surveying systems powered by AI can aid in data collection. These technologies enable faster and more precise data collection, especially for large projects and hard-to-access areas. In addition to cost-effectiveness, the digital twin’ application can also help optimize flight paths, sensor configurations, data collection parameters. AI technology can automatically detect changes in the research environment over time. In Hong Kong, where infrastructure and rapid urban development are prevalent, DT can help monitor construction timelines, identify interventions and evaluate the impact of changes on surrounding areas in the construction management cycle. This assists in the smooth implementation of project plans and compliance with regulations. There are many opportunities and challenges provided by DT application but rarely introduced in Hong Kong. The accuracy and quality of the data used to train ML models is critical. However, obtaining high quality and timely geospatial data can be difficult in Hong Kong. Restricted access to data inconsistency and privacy concerns are the barriers to effective implementation of AI and ML technologies. The application of digital twin in the field of surveying raises ethical and legal concerns. The privacy and security must be carefully considered to protect individual rights and comply with relevant regulations such as the Hong Kong Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. The development of new sensors, computing resources, virtual and augmented reality (VAR) training contents and a secure IT infrastructure can be costly. It is also important to ensure that reliable and fast internet connections are available in different parts of Hong Kong. There is a number of research studies that have investigated the use of digital twin technology in the service and manufacturing industry. However, there is a lack of research on these emerging technologies within the construction management and surveying. Therefore, it is crucial to assure the preparedness of these advancements in their construction and research projects.

How does the project help: As the purpose of the project is to acquire more knowledge and development skills, the project team will invite eminent overseas scholars and experts to speak some major topics related to i) Digital twin in construction management and surveying; ii) digitalization technologies of construction and surveying; and iii) training techniques of Digital Twin adoption. The project will provide a medium for scholars, practitioners, construction students, engineers and surveyors, and professional bodies to facilitate discussions on research experience and understanding the key topic. The project will motivate colleagues in other discipline to learn about these topics and initiate this knowledge in their research projects.

Project Reference No.: UGC/IIDS14/H03/24
Project Title: Hans Christian Andersen and Worlding in His Tales
Principal Investigator: Prof TAM Kwok-kan (HSUHK)

Abstract

This project will bring together local and international scholars in Hans Christian Andersen studies at a time when there is more need to promote international understanding and collaboration, especially in the field of culture, art and education. H.C. Andersen, the great writer of children’s tales, is not just a gem in Danish culture, but also one in world culture. He is a household name in China, Japan and South Korea. Designated as an international centre for exchange in art and culture, Hong Kong is well positioned to hold a conference with international significance in cultural development.

In today’s world of digital culture, Andersen is ever more popular among youngsters and school children. The Shanghai Andersen Park, as well as the Tokyo Andersen Park, serves as a new model for children’s cultural park, in which films, storytelling, reading, museum of art, and theme park games combine to give children an ever-challenging experience in exercising their imagination on matters that concern ideas of friendship, love, justice, fairness, the environment, and community. Reading or listening to Andersen’s tales, as well as looking at his paper-cut arts, brings children and adults alike to a world that transcends boundaries of culture, race and gender—it is in this sense that imagining the world of Andersen is an exercise in “worlding”.

Project Reference No.: UGC/IIDS15/H03/24
Project Title: Building a free-play-friendly city: An interdisciplinary collaboration in place-making
Principal Investigator: Dr TSANG Wallace Wai-hung (Shue Yan)

Abstract

Free play is unstructured, spontaneous, and voluntary play activities driven by an individual’s own will and choices. While free play is often considered indoors, active free play outdoors in open spaces should be addressed. In urban environments such as Hong Kong, the planning, design, and control of play spaces have traditionally been governed by professionals such as policymakers, urban planners, and architects. This top-down approach has led to the gradual evolution of regulations that focus on management and accident prevention, resulting in long lists of restrictions and limitations. In the context of play spaces, this creates many restrictions about who is allowed to play, when and where play can occur, and how play is defined. In these circumstances, advocating for free-play-friendly public spaces is essential.

In this regard, place-making is an initiative for planning and designing free-play-friendly public spaces. Place-making is a collaborative process that involves reimagining and reinventing public spaces to enhance the connection between people and the places they share. Place-making facilitates community engagement, builds social capital, and enhances community capacity for action, ultimately fostering an inclusive environment that encourages free play. Adopting a place-making approach to building a free-play-friendly environment is still in its early stages in Hong Kong. We need to consolidate experiences and identify key elements and strategies for co-creating a free-play-friendly environment.

This project “Building a free-play-friendly city: An interdisciplinary collaboration in place-making’, consists of pre-conference workshops and visits (1 day) and the main conference (1.5 days). Target participants include scholars, practitioners, policymakers, NGO staff, urban planners, architects, social designers, cultural and heritage conservators, and students. The pre-conference workshops will be conducted in parallel, with two workshops (3.5 hours each) for invited knowledgeable speakers to share practical experiences in place-making and engage communities in co-creating free play spaces. Participants will actively participate in the workshops to learn critical approaches to place-making. There will also be a half-day visit to a project featuring place-making for free play in the community.

The 1.5-day main conference will feature local and international speakers presenting research and practical experiences in designing public play spaces for free play. There will be three keynote speeches and three symposium sessions. The symposium themes will include cross-cultural dialogue, the social impact of free-play-friendly environments, and best practices in school environment. Each symposium will have two to three speakers sharing their place-making and free-play expertise. Networking meetings will be arranged for speakers and stakeholders to exchange collaborative ideas on place-making and free play. Round-table discussions will be conducted to foster collaborative efforts among scholars and stakeholders, aiming for mid- and long-term impact.

Project Reference No.: UGC/IIDS24/E01/24
Project Title: Emerging Research Directions on the AI Application of Green Transport Development in Hong Kong and the GBA
Principal Investigator: Dr WU Andrew Yang (PolyU SPEED)

Abstract

Application of AI technology in the development of modern society has become an increasingly significant topic in both academic and industrial sector in the recent year. The Chinese State Council of Central Government (SCCG) and National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) have jointly introduced a series of incentive policies for promoting green transport and electric vehicle (EV), to stimulate the rapid development of the Great Bay Area (GBA) as a cluster of technological innovation in China. Those policies have covered almost all aspects of the GBA’s development, including economic development, green financing, urban planning, infrastructure, entrepreneurial finance and innovative technologies, etc. Hong Kong, as the leader metropolis in the GBA, is now facing both opportunities and challenges under the global concerns over climate change, especially at a post-pandemic era. Innovative technologies, such as green transportation via EV, will contribute to smart city development for mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, which could be one viable and feasible direction of Hong Kong’s strategic development into its sustainable future. The HKSAR government announced the new Policy Address in October 2023 and the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularization of Electric Vehicles in March 2021, setting out the strategic vision of green transport in the next decade. This commitment will benefit Hong Kong residents in various aspects. In order to achieve the target, promoting the awareness of the general public through practical and accessible demonstrative activities.

This proposal aims to organize two research seminars and one regional conference to incubate emerging research directions on the application of AI technologies in promotion of green transport via EV in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The two seminars and one regional conference will invite participants like international academic scholars, local and overseas researchers, representatives from government related authorities, industrial experts, students and even general public to join. The events are also open access for other institutions and the public to participate. The planned activities aim to cover the geographical region of Asia-Pacific. The keynote speakers are world-class outstanding scholars and senior professionals from different places like Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Singapore, Australia, and United States. We will explore with participants about how to tackle technological innovation and economic challenges of achieving carbon neutralization via green transport, like EV, and smart city development in the post-pandemic era.

This project will be led by PolyU SPEED and collaborated with the following institutions in China and in Singapore:

• Mechanical and Electrical Engineering College, Hainan University, China
• School of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Hefei University of Technology, China
• School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering at Nanyang Technological University of Singapore

Upon completion of this project, the investigators team aim to bring inspiring opportunity for local scholars and researchers to build up their knowledge and research skills in conducting interdisciplinary research related with carbon neutralization, green transport, and smart city development. Both technological challenges and associated economic issues will be studied and discussed in the planned activities like seminar, workshop, and regional conference. Knowledge exchange and collaborate research activities are to be facilitated. The proposal will not only provide an excellent platform for the local academics with a scholarly interest in the above areas to develop their research achievement, but also enhance the quality teaching of local institutions via international scholarly exchange and collaboration.

Project Reference No.: UGC/IIDS24/B03/24
Project Title: Hans Applications and Research Agenda of Robotics in Hospitality, Tourism and Retailing
Principal Investigator: Dr WUT Tai-ming (PolyU SPEED)

Abstract

Robots are machines designed to execute a series of actions, assisting or even replacing human beings to perform repetitive work and dangerous tasks. Nevertheless, the use of robots presents both advantages and disadvantages. For example, in the service industry, courtesy is an essential requirement for service professionals. Human service providers are expected to maintain good emotional control at all times when dealing with discerning customers. Robots offer an alternative to provide consistent responses to customers’ requests and inquiries. However, as widely known, human interactions are important in tourism and retail industries, and thus challenges are expected when adopting robots. Furthermore, the deployment of robots may affect employment on some occasions.

Since the second half of the last century, robots have been used in manufacturing to address the manpower shortage in developed countries in recent decades. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, the tourism, hospitality, and retail industries have also been inevitably hard-hit. On one hand, the adoption of robots in retail or service industries may enhance tourist experience in the post-pandemic era. On the other hand, a significant number of individuals from these industries have resigned or faced termination. Recruiting back all these former employees within a short time frame presents a challenge, which provided an opportunity for industry practitioners to consider a broader utilization of robots. From a wider perspective, the adoption of robots has accelerated due to the pandemic. Some typical applications have been recently adopted in various service industry sectors. Robots have become an essential asset in various industries, taking on roles that both streamline operations and enhance customer experiences. Hotels are integrating robots for a wide range of services, from security maintenance duties to guest reception services and information delivery. In the travel industries, robots are deployed at tourist spots for cleaning duties, providing information updates, and welcoming visitors. Meanwhile, retail industries have seen the rapid adoption of robotic technology; serving as chefs or waitstaff in eateries.

With the increasing use of robots across different industries, it is noteworthy that relatively few studies have been conducted on the application of robots in the service industry. Robotics has been one of the hottest research topics in recent years. In academia, scholars have used quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods in their robot-related research. Moreover, well-established theories have been widely applied. There remains room for alternative approaches and emerging theories to augment investigations in this field, with Artificial Intelligence Acceptance Theory and Experiential Theory becoming increasingly popular, supplemented with case studies and observational methods.

The latest robotics applications and developments will be discussed and shared in the proposed platforms of the conference, facilitating dissemination of knowledge, promotion of advances in the academic literature, and knowledge transfer among researchers, scholars, industry practitioners, and students. This project will equip local academics with a comprehensive understanding of robotics applications in both theory and practice through a two-day hybrid conference. The conference includes 11 plenary talks and four parallel sessions. It provides a research platform for both academics and researchers to strengthen their research capabilities in the emerging field of robotics applications in hospitality, tourism, and retail sectors.