Carl A. Boger

An Analysis of Required Computer Competencies for University Students

AbstractTo be successful in many academic programs and careers, it is essential that university students possess strong computer skills. However, instructors and support staff involved with student computer use in classrooms and laboratories on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Stout encountered widely differing levels of computer competency among the students. There was no consensus as to how computer competencies should be obtained or who should provide training to obtain these competencies. To address these concerns, a total quality management team was established. The team, which consisted of faculty, staff members, and students, developed a survey to obtain data on required computer competencies. The survey instrument contained items pertaining to basic computer skills, word processing, spreadsheets, database management, graphics, multimedia, information retrieval, and telecommunications. The survey was given to 157 students, 32 faculty members, 50 alumni, and 100 employers in the spring of 1...

Benchmarking: Comparing Discounted Business Rates among Lodging Companies

Yield management systems focus on the appropriate amount and depth of rate categories to maximize revenue for lodging properties. However, it is the interaction between reservationists and consumers that determines the room price. This study identified and compared different levels of discounting among various lodging companies. The findings should assist managers in benchmarking the current discounting practices in lodging companies.

Food Labeling for Restaurants Fact versus Fiction

Abstract Stringent food-labeling regulations control the use of nutrition-related information in describing menu items. The net result for restaurateurs may be that they give no nutrition information at all.

Rate Integrity in Convention Cities

Potential hotel guests who are not participants in a convention are many times able to negotiate their rates whereas convention participants pay higher fixed rates. Convention participants may begin representing themselves as nonconvention participants to obtain these lower rates. This will reduce the number of rooms that can be counted toward a convention-room block and may reduce the hotel’s average daily rate or occupancy percentage. It is in the best interest of convention organizers and hotel executives if rate integrity exists among hotels in convention cities. This study compares the rate integrity between convention cities and provides suggestions on how convention organizers and hotel executives can avoid convention participants’ obtaining nonconvention rates.

Collaborative Web-Based Project on Tourism and Marketing

Abstract Summarized in this article is a three-phased process for planning and implementing a web based project in marketing and tourism classes.