Christine Kay

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Lodging Management

This study examines the effect of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) on managers’ lodging success: human resources management, marketing, financial management, and information technology. The investigation determined that knowledge perceived as important for management success differs from actual KSAs that distinguish senior-level executives from their subordinate middle-level counter-parts. The findings revealed that managers placed highest importance on and were most skilled in human resources management competencies. However, knowledge in financial management appeared to be a stronger indicator of top-level success. Underscoring the importance of financial knowledge was the finding that of all the KSAs being studied, only financial management had a significant, positive relationship with increased compensation. Moreover, financial management appeared to be a key to promotion to top-level positions. The implication of these findings is that educators, trainers, and would-be top executives should pay attention to financial management by ensuring that educational institutions and training programs provide proper coverage of financial techniques and analyses.

A Lodging Internship Competency Model: Enhancing Educational Outcomes through Work Integrated Learning

Abstract This paper examines current views of lodging industry executives as to competencies required of student interns and introduces a model for the development of these competencies through the ‘work integrated learning’ internship process. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the intern competencies that are currently considered most necessary by the lodging industry – an area that is under-researched in the lodging internship literature – so as to progress understanding of how lodging management education programs, particularly internships, can improve educational outcomes for all stakeholders to the process – educators, industry and students. The paper first offers an introduction and background on work integrated learning, internships and lodging competencies, before presenting the results of a preliminary survey into lodging executives views of desired intern competency levels, pre-and post-internships, across 18 core essential competencies (CECs). The results of this preliminary survey indicate that leadership and interpersonal skills are the intern competencies most required by industry and that interns should even display some level of competence in these skills prior to commencing the internship. The Lodging Internship Competency Model proposed is an introductory model designed to highlight potential relationships between key variables in the competency development process of the lodging internship.

Formal education effectiveness and relevance: lodging manager perceptions

In order to study the influence of formal education on lodging management success, opinions of 246 senior and middle-level executives from 28 states across the US were obtained. Success is measured in terms of competency development, and four highly relevant areas of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) are investigated: financial management, leadership and management, marketing and customer-centeredness. Consistent with the limited prior research in this area, the findings of the current research demonstrate that todays industry professionals perceive formal education as having only a moderate impact on lodging management success. Study findings have implications for educators, professionals and industry by providing opportunity for enhanced delivery of education and achieving lodging management success.

What Do Managers Read? A Survey of Journals and Periodicals Used by Lodging Managers in the Hospitality Industry

This study investigated which journals and periodicals are preferred for various uses by lodging managers. Readership level and usefulness of 17 journals/periodicals (academic and non-academic) by senior managers were explored. The research found that a significant number of lodging professionals tend to use hospitality industry and general business publications over academic research journals. However, several academic journals were rated higher by managers regarding usefulness as a source for information on research, employee management, marketing, hospitality industry, general business, as well as professional and personal development. Implications of study findings can assist authors in effective dissemination of hospitality research and in turn aid managers with their environmental scanning endeavors.

A Teaching Excellence Assessment Process Model

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to provide an instructional quality assurance process model for academic administrators and educators. A background of established methodologies for measuring teaching effectiveness is initially presented which is followed by a study-developed Teaching Excellence Quality Assurance (TE-QA) process model. A discussion of the various stages of the development and implementation phases outlined in the TE-QA Process Model is also provided. Examples of several TE-QA criteria and measures developed by a panel of academic administrators, educators and industry professionals are presented as well as the rationale for the panel-designed criteria and measures. Implications for educators and hospitality professionals are also addressed.