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Article
Publication date: 10 July 2009

Adam Weaver

The purpose of this paper is to explore how recent graduates of a university's tourism management programme in New Zealand perceive job quality in the tourism industry.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how recent graduates of a university's tourism management programme in New Zealand perceive job quality in the tourism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured interviews are used to examine graduates' assessments of the quality of their current jobs. These assessments are informed by their personal expectations and experiences. Understanding job quality requires an approach that takes into account both economic and non‐economic variables.

Findings

The interviews indicate the importance of job content and its compatibility with interests and preferences. Graduates associate job quality with opportunities to consume tourism products, assist tourists, acquire valued knowledge, confront challenges, and perform meaningful work. The quality of a job is influenced by the types of tasks graduates are required to undertake. However, graduates also consider a job's ability to provide access to a better job in the future.

Research limitations/implications

Although graduates were able to share their views in an in‐depth fashion through the interviews, the size of the sample prevents the author from determining whether the interviews uncover sweeping trends or the experiences of only a small group of individuals.

Originality/value

The study incorporates the voices of university graduates into the study of job quality in the tourism industry. An important determinant of job quality revealed through this research is the extent to which graduates receive intrinsic rewards from their jobs. Even though the findings of the study diverge from the view that jobs in the tourism industry are mainly of poor quality, a number of graduates would still prefer to see some improvement in the quality of their jobs.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 21 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 June 2019

Denis Tolkach and Vincent Wing Sun Tung

This paper aims to evaluate the career patterns and global mobility trajectories of hospitality and tourism graduates that are relevant for global knowledge and local talent…

1329

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the career patterns and global mobility trajectories of hospitality and tourism graduates that are relevant for global knowledge and local talent management.

Design/methodology/approach

This study maps and assesses the public profiles of over 2,000 hospitality and tourism graduates from five institutions each from a different territory using a popular online professional network.

Findings

The findings highlight a network of worldwide mobility from hospitality and tourism graduates of the five institutions. The findings also suggest five different types of mobility trajectories (i.e. stateside, intra-regional, continental, inter-regional and global) and career patterns (i.e. rooted, prospector, seeker, two-homes and wanderer).

Research limitations/implications

Geographical mobility of graduates in tourism and hospitality is one of the less studied phenomena; however, it is important to understand due to growing concerns regarding globalization of the workplace and internationalization of education.

Practical implications

This study provides insights into how knowledge transfer and talent management could be impacted by the global graduate movements.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to date to combine mobility trajectories with a classification of career patterns to provide implications relevant for global knowledge and local talent management.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 31 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2005

Sinéad O'Leary and Jim Deegan

The aim of this paper is to present longitudinal data regarding the career progression of Irish tourism and hospitality management graduates.

7513

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present longitudinal data regarding the career progression of Irish tourism and hospitality management graduates.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was designed to incorporate questions relating to current and previous employments, recent training/education and personal details. The original study was sent to graduates by their respective colleges and there were 444 respondents to the survey. The follow‐up questionnaire in the current study was sent to all those who had responded to the initial survey and who had provided addresses (374).

Findings

There is a significant drop‐out rate from employment in the tourism/hospitality industry in Ireland, which is particularly obvious amongst women. Those employed in the industry identified poor remuneration and unsuitable working hours as the major issues in need of redress. There is constant reference to work conditions within the tourism/hospitality industry throughout this study and, in particular, their apparent incompatibility with family life.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the small sample size, results presented here are largely indicative. Nonetheless, some general trends are discernible.

Practical implications

The issues raised in this study have implications for those involved in the provision of tourism/hospitality programmes as well as tourism employers, particularly in an Irish context, where there is an ongoing shortage of skilled workers in the sector.

Originality/value

Tracking studies usually only attempt to monitor graduates' entry into the workforce and do not follow their career paths over time. The objective of this study, however, was to provide longitudinal data and unique insights regarding the career progression of Irish tourism and hospitality management graduates.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 17 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2004

Petia Petrova and Peter Mason

Travel and tourism graduates are facing challenges in securing jobs within the travel and tourism industry, as their degrees have low recognition among travel and tourism

3686

Abstract

Travel and tourism graduates are facing challenges in securing jobs within the travel and tourism industry, as their degrees have low recognition among travel and tourism employers. Yet there are growing numbers of tourism courses provided by universities, and these are increasingly popular among students. This paper attempts an informed discussion of the relevance of travel and tourism degrees, comparing students' career expectations and aspirations with industry needs and perceptions of travel and tourism degrees and graduates. Students' perceptions were investigated, using a questionnaire survey, while the employers' perceptions and needs were explored through semi‐structured interviews. The results indicate a desire and optimism amongst current travel and tourism undergraduate students towards securing a job in the tourism industry, while the industry is not convinced, or at best unaware, of the benefits of tourism degrees and employing tourism graduates.

Details

Education + Training, vol. 46 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 29 March 2021

Janet C. Kimeto

This paper aims to identify skills and competencies perceived relevant by tourism graduate employees and tourism employers for providing quality tourism services in Kenya.

4303

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to identify skills and competencies perceived relevant by tourism graduate employees and tourism employers for providing quality tourism services in Kenya.

Details

Tourism Critiques: Practice and Theory, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2633-1225

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 April 2024

Nafiya Guden and Farzad Safaeimanesh

The aim of this empirical research is to define blended learning (BL) in the context of tourism education and discuss its effectiveness in learning and, upon completion, the…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this empirical research is to define blended learning (BL) in the context of tourism education and discuss its effectiveness in learning and, upon completion, the employability of graduates in due cause.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative research consists of 22 in-depth interviews with experts from the tourism industry and graduates. The sampling method was purposive (judgmental), and open-ended questions were asked in order to encourage the interviewee to be expressive and to share their views and opinions on what the impact of the BL program has been.

Findings

The study found that the most significant obstacles were a lack of funding, a lack of cooperation from the local and various levels of government and a lack of knowledge about sustainable tourism product development among local residents.

Originality/value

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of the tourism schools and university departments have developed a combination of mixed learning to include online, classroom and sector experience, which can be summarized as BL. This research suggests that BL has provided for a blend of skills and, as a result, employable graduates.

Details

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4217

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 7 July 2017

Alexandre Panosso Netto, Luiz Gonzaga Godoi Trigo and Carlos Eduardo Silveira

Brazilian higher education in the field of tourism took off in the 1970s, reaching its course and student peaks in the first years of this century. Recent research shows, however…

Abstract

Brazilian higher education in the field of tourism took off in the 1970s, reaching its course and student peaks in the first years of this century. Recent research shows, however, that many graduates are still occupying hotel reception positions, in most cases with an operational status. The Brazilian government will occasionally hire researchers from companies and institutes not related to the tourism field. Even though the link between these two worlds is crucial, the commercial tourism industry in Brazil does not value academic insights, and the academy does not look beyond its epistemological and theoretical borders. This chapter will discuss the situation in Brazil and offer perspectives on measure needed to close the gap between theory and practice.

Details

Knowledge Transfer to and within Tourism
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-405-7

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 June 2017

Herlan Suherlan

The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess an empirical description of how to respond to the needs of future human resource development, and any strategic alliances that…

1091

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess an empirical description of how to respond to the needs of future human resource development, and any strategic alliances that have been made by STP Bandung and Bali to respond to global competition.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a qualitative naturalistic approach, with descriptive methods and case studies. The data were gathered through interviews, observations, and study of the documents. The sampling technique used was purposive. Data analysis was performed using data display, data reduction, and data verification through triangulation process.

Findings

STP Bandung and Bali have carried out various strategic measures through the improvement of both their internal and external environments. Strategic alliances with other institutions are oriented toward the improvement of the quality of education. This is in accordance with the vision and mission of the institution where priorities were put on joint programs, organization of students’ internship programs, support for the development of educational institutions, and optimizing the implementation of the three responsibilities of higher education in Indonesia, both in terms of quantity and quality, along with building a culture of research for lecturers.

Research limitations/implications

This research still needs improvement since there are some limitations in generating its conclusion. Therefore further research is recommended to increase sample number, i.e. by including, among others, students, graduates, employer communities, and region leaders, and also to involve other private, tourism higher education centers.

Practical implications

This study implies that in carrying out its core business, namely, tourism education, STP Bandung and Bali need to strengthen and cultivate the academic and research cultures among faculty members. In conjunction with contributions from research literature and practice, this study confirms the importance of strategic alliances between institutions of tourism education, at the national, regional, and international levels, that are producers of human resources for tourism for the government. Being graduates, they serve as competent members of a government agency responsible for managing a destination or other tourism sectors, at local, provincial, national, regional, and international levels.

Social implications

This study also implies that the Ministry of Tourism should implement the model of strategic education management through strategic alliances, so as to increase the capacity of the human resources for tourism, thus directly or indirectly contributing to the quality of city/regional or tourism destination.

Originality/value

Research studies on strategic alliance in the field of higher education, especially in the field of tourism are still very limited. This study provides a breakthrough that strategic alliances can not only be done in the business world, but also in the education sector. Results of research on strategic alliances in higher education in Indonesian tourism sector can be used as a reference for higher education providers in tourism at regional and international levels.

Details

International Journal of Tourism Cities, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-5607

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 23 September 2015

Kellee Caton

Previous work has conceptually explored the value of the humanities for tourism education and has considered the pressures that likely serve as barriers to its greater inclusion…

Abstract

Previous work has conceptually explored the value of the humanities for tourism education and has considered the pressures that likely serve as barriers to its greater inclusion in curricula. This chapter moves the debate from the conceptual level to the ground, reporting the results of a survey of tourism educators with regard to the role of the humanities in the programs in which they teach. The study explores the prevalence of the humanities as primary and supporting course content at the undergraduate and graduate levels, sheds light on barriers faculty members identify for incorporating more humanities content into their curricula, and offers examples of creative ways some educators are currently engaging with such content.

Details

Tourism Education: Global Issues and Trends
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78350-997-3

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 23 September 2015

Tanja Mihalič, Janne J. Liburd and Jaume Guia

This chapter analyzes the importance and performance of values in tourism higher education and business as seen by the alumni of the European Master in Tourism Management. The…

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the importance and performance of values in tourism higher education and business as seen by the alumni of the European Master in Tourism Management. The students were exposed to the values-based education framework proposed by the Tourism Educational Future Initiative. This chapter empirically tests the relevance of its model for an ideal and real industry, and for the corresponding world of tourism education. Using importance performance analysis, results identify gaps between the importance and performance in the values. The findings have implications for the future development and implementation of experimental values-based education.

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