Article review

Raybould, M. and Wilkins, H. (2006). Generic skills for hospitality management: A comparative study of management expectations and student perceptions. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 13(2), 177-188.

Questions

1. Why is research that investigates the expectations of industry important to design of hospitality management university curricula?

• How does the research described in this article differ from previous studies of employer expectations of hospitality management graduates?

• How has the role of management in the hospitality industry changed in the last 3 decades?

• What management skills have been identified as important in surveys of industry managers?

• How does the ‘generic skills’ model used in this research differ from the more commonly used management competencies model?

• What were the two aims of this study?

• Describe the stages of development the survey instrument went through.

• What was the industry sample framework for this study?

• How did the researchers ensure an adequate response rate from industry?

1. Describe the gender and age balance among managers from different functional areas who responded to the survey.

1. Why were responses to the 52 items in the survey ‘standardised’ for each individual?

1. On average how long had respondents been with their current employer?

1. List 3 skill descriptors that managers and students ranked in the top 10 most important for a graduate entering the industry.

1. List 3 skill descriptors that managers and students ranked in the bottom 10 most important for a graduate entering the industry.

1. What does the information in table 4 relating to Interpersonal Skills (IS) and Problem Solving (PS) tell us about managers and student’s responses to items in these skill groups? Interpret the information – a C&A skill!

Portfolio Assessment Exercise 1

This exercise must be submitted to iLearn by Monday (midnight) of the week following the lecture and tutorial.

Word Guide: 400-500 words

Describe 4 general categories of generic skills that research has found are important for young managers in the hospitality industry. For each of these skill groups describe specific examples of activities and circumstances in which a young manger might be expected to demonstrate those skills.

Sample Solution