Abstract
This narrative explores the historical progression of workforce development through four generally accepted categorical periods of technological disruption and societal transformation referred to as industrial revolutions. The fourth industrial revolution has also catalyzed workforce development creating a concept called the gig economy, which features a workforce that individually contracts with companies, rather than seek permanent employment, to provide goods and services. Next, it evaluates how these different periods of societal change, and the gig economy impacts job satisfaction, insecurity, and engagement for hotel front desk employees. The chapter provides practical recommendations for leadership to minimize these outcomes including a review of Guaxni, a series of cultural values from eastern societies that can have beneficial results when integrated into Western workplaces. Finally, this chapter also evaluates the impact of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on the job satisfaction, insecurity, and turnover intent of hotel front-desk employees.