This study uses ethnographic portraits of hotel school managers to identify specific soft skills lacking in Cambodian hospitality students and to examine the complex obstacles that the managers face when providing soft skills education. In Cambodia, 30% of the population lives under the poverty line (“UNICEF Cambodia Statistics,” n.d.). Meanwhile, the service and hospitality sector has grown to represent 39% of the country’s real GDP share (“Growth in service sector brings more challenges,” n.d.), making it an attractive industry for young workers to find employment and improve livelihoods. However, the World Bank identifies that there is a gap in young Cambodian workers’ skills, especially soft skills (Brixi, Van Adams, D’Amico, & Krauss, 2012). The qualitative portraiture method is used in the study to lend a more detailed perspective on school challenges since the existing literature on the soft skills deficiency in Cambodia is largely quantitative in nature. For this portraiture study, managers from the Don Bosco Hotel School, the largest hotel school in Cambodia, were chosen as protagonists. The findings reveal that the main soft skills lacking in students are: responsibility, self-assessment, honesty, self-confidence, teamwork, and culture sensitization. The findings also show that major obstacles hotel school managers faced when educating students in soft skills are: high staff turnover, lack of role models, short duration of training programs, lack of nutrition, problems with students’ families, and a shortage of external exchange opportunities. By humanizing the dialogue beyond quantitative statistics, a richer and more meaningful ecosystem of information can emerge. With greater contextual understanding, stakeholders in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors can create more sustainable changes for Cambodian hospitality soft skills training. / published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

There is a shortage of qualified community college technical instructors in new and emerging technologies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the barriers that may affect the decision of semiconductor specialists to teach part-time at community colleges. The desired outcome is to enable community colleges to increase the pool of part-time faculty from the semiconductor industry. This study identified four primary barriers that could affect an individual's decision to teach: (a) interest in teaching, (b) self-efficacy, (c) awareness of teaching opportunities, and (d) faculty development. As community colleges seek to fill the increasing demand for part-time technical instructors, industry seeks to increase its ranks of technical employees. A survey of technical specialists from the semiconductor industry showed high levels of professional experience, interest in teaching, and various experiences in teaching. An important finding of this study, however, was the overwhelming lack of awareness (83%, n=76) of teaching opportunities at community colleges. If community colleges are to increase their pool of part-time technical faculty, it is necessary for technical specialists to be aware that part-time teaching positions are available. If industry is to fill its growing need for qualified technical specialists, it should be willing to share some of the talent of its best employees with the community. / Graduation date: 1997

BACKGROUND Exploring, on the one hand, the literature stream of authenticity and brand authenticity, and on the other hand, that of firm growth, to further connect the two phenomena. AIM Researching whether firms can achieve both above-average industry growth and brandauthenticity METHODOLOGY The study entails 21 firms evolving in three industries (beer, cosmetic and food-processing). Brand authenticity is measured through a consumer survey, while growth is measured through a comparison of financial numbers in an official database (Amadeus). FINDINGS Companies can achieve both above-average industry growth rate and brand authenticity

Hospitality and tourism management (HTM) programmes are unique in that they usually emphasize the development of students’ industry and generic skills through means of practical and experiential learning elements. This research attempted to explore the learning experience of students in an HTM programme by comparing three different modes of curriculum delivery: 1) traditional lectures; 2) practical workshops; and 3) internship which are generally provided by local institutions. Students’ learning experiences were assessed through the examination of three indicators: 1) students’ perceptions of their learning environment (PLE); 2) learning approaches applied (LA); and 3) their perceived learning outcomes (PLO). The results showed that the existing instruments being adopted can be positively applied for assessing students’ learning in an HTM programme. Variations in students’ learning experiences were found in different modes of curriculum delivery. A significant relationship among PLE, LA and PLO was also observed which generally followed the Trigwell and Prosser’s 3P Model. The author, based on these findings, has suggested various ways to enhance the learning experience of students in HTM programmes and areas for further improvement if follow-up researches are conducted in the future. / published_or_final_version / Education / Doctoral / Doctor of Education

This research study assessed Korean students' perceptions and overall satisfaction levels regarding the effectiveness of their hospitality internship experiences. Relationships with demographic characteristics were identified. The sample was comprised of 74 senior-level university students enrolled in hospitality and/or tourism management programs who were completing an internship in Korea. Generally, students exhibited low agreement levels on the internship program aspects being investigated. Previous work experience was the most common factor influencing students' perceptions of their internship experiences. Agreement levels increased with length of prior work experience. Type of internship workplace, expectation of an employment offer, age and gender were found to influence students' perceptions of the internship experiences.

Following Ajzen/Fishbein's 1980 Theory of Reasoned Action, influences of hospitality students' external variables (age, gender, university classification, and work experience) on computer attitudes, and relationships between computer attitudes and intentions to learn and use computers were tested. A sample of 412 hospitality students completed two measurements: Loyd/Gressard's 1984 Computer Attitude Scale, and Behavioral Intentions to Learn and Use Computers. Males and females had positive computer attitudes. Graduates had more positive computer attitudes. No interaction effect existed between gender and classification. No relationships existed between age and work experience on computer attitudes. Computer attitudes positively correlated with intentions to learn and use computers. Results supported the Theory of Reasoned Action. External variables partially influence attitudes and attitudes influence intentions.

For-profit postsecondary education rapidly expanded in the decade preceding the 2008 financial crisis. For-profit institutions enrolled 9% of undergraduate students in 2009, up from 3% in 2000. This growth that was promising is now troubling. Significant enrollment declines in 2010-2012, in light of regulatory risk, recent GAO reports, and public scrutiny of recruiting and lending practices, suggest the foundations are not stable. This paper will analyze recent strategic decisions in the for-profit postsecondary education market using the framework developed by Brewer, Gates, and Goldman (2002) and make predictions about firm strategies and the future of the industry.

The International Hotel School is registered with the South African Department of Higher Education and Training as a Private Higher Education Institution. This registration entails accreditation by the Council on Higher Education and one of the requirements for accreditation is that "The programme has taken steps to enhance the employability of students and to alleviate shortages of expertise in relevant fields, in cases where these are the desired outcomes of the programme." The purpose of this study was to assess, from a graduate perspective, whether or not the Diploma in Hospitality Management programme offered by the school met the requirement of the Council on Higher Education. Skills sought by employers were identified through a review of literature on the topic of 'employability'. These skills were used to compile a research questionnaire sent electronically to the identified sample group. A study was conducted among students who had completed the diploma programme during the years 2008 to 2010. Using a five-point Likert Scale respondents were asked to rate their perception of skills developed through their participation in the diploma programme. In addition to assessing the employability skills, respondents were asked to rate the usefulness to them in their employment of the subjects comprising the diploma programme. Here a four point Rating Scale was used in the questionnaire. Results of the study have identified areas of weakness within the programme's design and recommendations will be made to the school Academic Board as to suggested actions to be taken in addressing these weaknesses. The programme's syllabi should be reviewed and the curricula content adapted to consider the areas of concern highlighted through this study. The study identified that the programme goes some way to meeting the requirements of both the Department of Higher education and Training and employers within the hospitality industry. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Bibliography: leaves 305-335. / xiii, 335 leaves ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Investigates the rapid expansion, growth, and perceived quality and viability of tourism and hospitality management education. Argues that there are doubts as to whether tourism and hospitality management education is changing according to the needs of industry and the requirements of future managers. An analysis of tourism and hospitality programs in Australian colleges and universities is conducted. Results from the analysis support the proposition for a change of direction in graduate tourism and hospitality management education, and demonstrate a general agreement in terms of content and structure. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Faculty of Economics and Commerce, 1999

Bibliography: leaves 305-335. / xiii, 335 leaves ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Investigates the rapid expansion, growth, and perceived quality and viability of tourism and hospitality management education. Argues that there are doubts as to whether tourism and hospitality management education is changing according to the needs of industry and the requirements of future managers. An analysis of tourism and hospitality programs in Australian colleges and universities is conducted. Results from the analysis support the proposition for a change of direction in graduate tourism and hospitality management education, and demonstrate a general agreement in terms of content and structure. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Faculty of Economics and Commerce, 1999