Nancy Swanger

An Industry-Driven Model of Hospitality Curriculum for Programs Housed in Accredited Colleges of Business

The purposes of this study were to measure the perceptions of industry professionals regarding the importance of course subject areas in hospitality management curriculum for a program housed in an accredited college of business and economics, to identify any gaps between the industry needs and the current curriculum of the program, and to propose a model for hospitality curricula. A questionnaire, using a 5-point Likert scale, was sent out to 2339 hospitality industry professionals, with 328 (14.02%) respondents. Of the 40 course subject matter variables measured, ethics was ranked the most important—followed by leadership, preparation for industry employment, internships/industry experience, hospitality management and organization, and operations analysis. A proposed model for curriculum for hospitality programs housed in accredited colleges of business is presented.

Industry's Expectations from Hospitality Schools: What has changed?

The purpose of this study was to measure the perceptions of industry professionals regarding the importance of course subject areas in hospitality management curriculum for a program housed in an accredited college of business and economics, as compared to a similar study conducted five years earlier. A questionnaire, using a 5-point Likert scale, was sent out to 2339 hospitality industry professionals, with 369 (15.78%) respondents. The study identified the current top subject-matter variables and noted any significant changes from the study conducted five years prior. Of the 29 common subject-matter variables to both studies, leadership was ranked the most important (replacing ethics in the previous study)—followed by internships/industry experience, preparation for industry employment, ethics, and overview of the hospitality industry. Suggestions to incorporate the subjects into the curriculum for hospitality programs housed in accredited colleges of business are presented.

Identification of Industry Needs for Baccalaureate Hospitality Graduates: A Delphi Study

Abstract The purpose of this research was to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) expected of students graduating from baccalaureate institutions conferring four-year degrees in hospitality management. This study provided a confidential online forum, using Delphi methodology, to identify needed KSAs. Findings of this study suggest the top five KSAs students graduating from baccalaureate programs in hospitality management need for success in the industry are: good communication skills (oral), delivery of exceptional and consistent customer service, a commitment to high performance, people skills, and the ability to multi-task.

An Industry-Driven Model of Hospitality Curriculum for Programs Housed in Accredited Colleges of Business: e-assessment Tool (e-AT) – Part IV

Abstract This paper presents the sixth stage of a major curriculum study and proposes a process for creating an e-assessment tool (e-AT) for hospitality programs housed in an accredited college of business. The proposed model is a system for closing the loop on assessment for continuous improvement of the hospitality program, its alumni, and its industry partners—while monitoring the real-time growth of students currently enrolled in that hospitality program. e-AT will streamline the assessment of student growth through constant monitoring, enabling the program to respond and change accordingly should areas of deficiency arise. e-AT will also be used to track the progress and promotion of alumni throughout their careers, as well as, to solicit their feedback along with the feedback of industry partners via an integrated survey.

An Industry-Driven Model of Hospitality Curriculum for Programs Housed in Accredited Colleges of Business: Program Learning Outcomes-Part III

Abstract This study focused on the development of program learning outcomes for a hospitality program housed in an accredited college of business and creation of an assessment scoring sheet for said outcomes. It was the fourth of a six-phase project to examine the curriculum for the purpose of assessment. Based on findings from the first three phases, a series of meetings were held, led by a curriculum design consultant, to develop the program learning outcomes. These learning outcomes were aligned to the university educational goals and include the dimensions of industry knowledge, diversity, global awareness, lifelong learning, technology, critical thinking, effective communication, ethical leadership, teambuilding, and world-class service. The identified program learning outcomes and their respective top-level measures for performance criteria using the assessment scoring form are presented.

Bridging the gap: grounded theory method, theory development, and sustainable tourism research

ABSTRACT Advancing knowledge on sustainability phenomena can be optimized when theoretical developments and practical applications work in concert rather than in isolation. Bridging the theory–practice gap is particularly important to sustainable tourism, which has risen exponentially in relevance both in practice and research. However, tourism research has been criticized for a lack of endemic theory unique to the field. Grounded theory method (GTM) is an established methodology for generating new theory in substantive areas, and has been utilized to examine various tourism phenomena. Through both methodological and theory development assessments, this study first examines how GTM has been used in tourism research in general. Suggestions for ameliorating the theory development outcomes of GTM research in sustainable tourism are then offered for both researchers and reviewers to help bridge the gap between sustainable tourism research, practice, and theory.

Tourism involvement-conformance theory: a grounded theory concerning the latent consequences of sustainable tourism policy shifts

This study uses a grounded theory method to investigate the proposed tourism policy directions of three Pacific Island countries and to develop a set of theoretical insights referred to as tourism involvement-conformance theory (TICT). TICT underscores the potential latent consequences that can occur as tourism develops due to policy shifts which emphasize sustainability. More specifically, TICT suggests a number of conceptual linkages regarding how policy makers and development strategists envisage the internal and external forces of control as tourism develops, how these perceptions influence the specific positioning or policy mechanisms, and how these processes when they are couched in a sustainability framework can instrumentalize local people/culture. For those interested in the challenges associated with sustainable tourism policy and planning, the findings represent a step towards a more nuanced understanding of the potential consequences of development decisions and policy rhetoric. They also offer an advancement in understanding regarding culture, involvement, power, and conformity in tourism research. For practitioners, the findings highlight the need for careful consideration of the implicit power relationships and ideologies that can be reinforced through policies designed around increased local involvement as a means to sustainability.

A Longitudinal Investigation of the Importance of Course Subjects in the Hospitality Curriculum: An Industry Perspective

ABSTRACT Utilizing a longitudinal approach, this study examines the importance of course subjects in hospitality curriculum from the perspective of the industry professional and identifies changes in the importance of course subjects over the last 10 years using data collected in 2004, 2009, and 2014. Findings suggest that internship/industry experience, preparation for industry employment, leadership, hospitality management and organization, and ethics have been consistently ranked as the most important top five course subjects by industry professionals during the last 10 years. This study identifies a number of course subjects that have been decreasing in importance for the industry and a number of course subjects that have emerged as critical course subjects over time. The most important factor in developing a curriculum that ensures graduates’ success in their career is the hospitality program’s ability to deal with change. Suggestions and implications for hospitality programs are provided.

Revving up for a New Year: Faculty Take to the Field

Faculty participating in the faculty intern program offered through I-Chrie and sponsored by Marriott International report on the value of updating skills through the field experience. This report includes the variety of experiences each faculty gained through participating in high quality orientation programs and rotations through departments in limited and full-service hotels. Of particular interest in this report is the experience of interning during the terrorist attacks in New York and the effect it had on property operations.

Honoring Alumni Contributions Through a Hall of Fame

ABSTRACT Halls of fame can recognize and honor the contributions of organizational members and have been used widely across various fields, including sports, entertainment, business, and academia. Although the utility of a hall of fame is clear, much less is known regarding how to select the inductees. This study demonstrates a transparent, effective way to select honorees for a hall of fame using the example of the School of Hospitality Business Management at Washington State University. The process successfully selected 9 inaugural Hall of Fame inductees as part of the celebration of the 85th anniversary of the program. The results can serve as a guide for other hospitality programs considering a hall of fame or similar programs to honor alumni. Recommendations and future research directions are discussed.