Peter Ricci

Job competency expectations for hospitality and tourism employees: perceptions of educational preparation.

ABSTRACT This article presents the findings of a central Florida study of hospitality and tourism management practitioners. It reports the findings of practitioner perceptions of desired knowledge, skills, and attitudes. It further demonstrates the overall impressions of practitioners concerning levels of preparation for entry-level positions in the industry. Finally, the authors present conclusions and suggestions for central Florida collaborative initiatives aimed at improving the preparation of individuals from secondary and tertiary institutions for successful entry into hospitality and tourism industry employment.

Locals' Involvement in Travelers' Informational Search and Venue Decision Strategies While at Destination

Abstract Visitors to a destination have varying motives, interests, and means in selecting specific venues for overnight accommodations and dining experiences as well as recreational and entertainment experiences. Information acquisition leading to critical venue decisions can be made at any or all journey pointspretrip, in-transit, and at-destination. Supported by past research, academic and practitioner, an explanatory model of at-destination search and decision strategies for travel-related services is discussed and partially tested. Travelers in general, and the adventuresome, risk averse, inexperienced, and disinclined decision makers in particular, may employ a common external search strategy, conferring with a perceived “expert” on the location and/or venue. The focus of this research is at-destination, visitor decision strategies that employ “local experts” for information acquisition and venue selection.

Gratuitous Referrals: A Subset of Visitor Search Activities and Decision Strategies at Destination for Travel-Related Services

Abstract The referral-seeking behavior of travelers at a given destination is undergoing greater scrutiny as businesses compete in increasingly competitive marketplaces. The phenomenon of at-destination venue search activity and decision processes utilized by visitors is predominantly an academic unknown. This study investigated a subset of the sources frequently utilized by visitors, referrals from local residents. The findings from two comparable studies indicate a broad section of the local community may be frequently relied upon for information as well as the venue decision for lodging, foodservice, and recreational and entertainment services at a destination.

Workplace motivation and mental development: differences between foodservice managers and younger workers.

Abstract The article presents the findings of an empirical study that identified self-reported motivational priorities among foodservice workers and management students over a period of five years. The authors present evidence that motivational priorities differ between younger and more mature individuals. Theoretical constructs from the disciplines of organizational behavior (OB), psychology, and neuroscience are presented to describe the foundation of the study. Additional theories in the areas of emotional labor and human development provided further support for the hypothesis of the study. The hypothesis of the study was that differences exist in perceived motivation needs between younger and older workers. The authors conclude with suggestions for practicing foodservice managers based on the findings of the study along with suggestions for further research.

DEVELOPMENTS IN EMPLOYEE PRIVACY RIGHTS AMONG HOSPITALITY ORGANIZATIONS: A PROGRESSION TO A DICHOTOMY OF ETHICAL INTERPRETATIONS

Relative to other industries, hospitality organizations tend to be labor intensive, employing large numbers of individuals in hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other related enterprises. There has been long-standing debate between the rights of worker personal privacy and the need for employers to know information concerning prospective and current employees. This article presents an evolution of employment relationships in the hospitality industry to demonstrate the complex nature of employment from legal, moral, and ethical perspectives that exists at the current time. It provides discussion of the balance between the rights of individuals and employers’ “need to know” private information to draw conclusions and suggestions for practicing hospitality human resource managers.

Doctoral Programs for Senior-Level Hospitality Practitioners: It's All in the Delivery

This article posits a model for alternative PhD programs in hospitality management in response to the growing demand for educators trained in both instructional methodology and scholarly research processes. The authors suggest that a number of current adjunct instructors possess an interest in becoming full-time educators. However, many of these individuals lack terminal credentials in a field related to hospitality management. The authors present a model for alternative PhD programs with modified residency requirements that could be implemented to provide training for this pool of potential full-time faculty members. Finally, a prototype is presented in which distance learning delivery systems are used as one viable alternative instructional methodology in these programs.