Showing papers in "Journal of Hospitality Leisure Sport & Tourism Education in 2008"

Quality Management Practice in Higher Education -- What Quality Are We Actually Enhancing?

Abstract: There is still no consensus on how best to measure and manage quality within higher education institutions (HEIs). Thus a variety of approaches have been adopted. This paper presents a review of current quality management practices within HEIs. The review identifies a reliance on industrial models. These are applied with only partial success and identified limitations suggest a need for refinement, particularly in relation to the centrality of student learning within HE.

A comparison of student and practitioner perspectives of the travel and tourism internship.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in the perceptions of internships between college students studying travel and tourism and practitioners in the field. Using a web-based survey of 48 items, the study explored how students and practitioners differed in their view regarding the role of the internship experience; the role of the internship agency, the intern’s abilities; and factors in selecting an internship. Using t-test analyses, the results of the study revealed that students and practitioners were in disagreement on 13 of the 48 items in the survey and had significantly different perceptions regarding intern skills, the role of the intern, responsibilities that interns should be given, and factors to consider in selecting an internship. This study examined these differences and implications for practitioners in travel and tourism.

Perceptions of hospitality and tourism students towards study motivations and preferences: a study of Hong Kong students.

Abstract: This study identifies reasons why college students in Hong Kong want to study hospitality and tourism management (HTM) and why they want to pursue HTM degrees abroad. It also aims to identify students’ preferred HTM study areas. An empirical study of a cohort of 384 HTM students was conducted to determine their motives for their choice of HTM. The results indicate that there were five motivational factors among HTM students: self-actualisation, job opportunity, field attractiveness, ease of study, and scholastic achievement. Detailed information on the motivational factors along with preferred overseas study destinations and HTM study areas are discussed.

Recreation student attitudes towards persons with disabilities: considerations for future service delivery

Abstract: In order to fully include persons with disability in American society, they must be provided with the same opportunities to pursue recreation and leisure activities as everyone else. Understanding the attitudes of undergraduate students pursuing degrees in recreation is an important step in enhancing future service delivery for this group of users. The purpose of this research was therefore to examine the attitudes of undergraduate students enrolled in recreation and leisure service degree programmes towards persons with disabilities. An initial step was taken to establish a normative attitude mean for this population using the Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons (ATDP) scale, Form B (Yuker & Block, 1986). In addition, data were collected from 298 undergraduate students on the frequency of their interaction with persons with disabilities. Respondents’ gender and frequency of interaction with persons with disabilities (ranging from daily to less than six times a year) significantly accounted for differences in mean ATDP scores, while age, specialisation, and programme accreditation were found to have no significant impact on mean attitude scores.

Innovative approaches to event management education in career development: A study of student experiences

Abstract: As the tourism industry matures, so too do career opportunities in its various sectors. This paper reports on a study of graduands preparing for tourism and event management careers. A two-stage sequential research design, using survey and focus group methods respectively, explored the perceptions of a final-year professional development class at an Australian university regarding the meeting of course objectives and these objectives’ adaptability to a particular tourism sector – event management. This paper contributes to an understanding of how higher education may better prepare its students for some of the complexities and idiosyncrasies of event management careers.

Tourism education: a strategic analysis model

Abstract: A market-oriented approach and a competitive higher education environment challenge the ability of degrees in tourism to satisfy stakeholders’ needs. The purpose of this paper is to describe through strategic analysis the tourism degree in order to detect its strengths and areas for improvement in the context of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), taking into account the importance of employee qualification in such a labour-intensive industry. In general, a closer relationship between professionals and academics is required in the design of tourism studies course syllabi.

Internationalisation in Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Higher Education: A Call for Further Reflexivity in Curriculum Development

Abstract: Social scientists have long-identified the importance of reflexivity and of positioning the researcher as an embodied and emotional presence in the design of studies, and the collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. In doing so they,"reveal, understand and analyse, not only the product of knowledge but its production and therefore, its producer" (Aldridge, 1993:53 [author's original emphasis]). Such work problematises the notion of investigation as a straightforward and impersonal activity and interrogates the power relationships inherent in it. Curricula in Higher Education (HE), on the other hand, often appear simply to have evolved with little open acknowledgement of the cultural, political and personal dimensions of that process.

Applying Communication Technology: Introducing Email and Instant Messaging in the Hospitality Curriculum

Abstract: Research has documented the importance and multiple uses of email and instant messaging (IM) in today’s organisations. Although companies grapple with issues related to these technologies, researchers estimate that hospitality organisations are increasingly dependent on electronic communication for internal and external communication. The authors recommend a way for hospitality educators to prepare students for their future responsibilities. The knowledge and skills required to address individual and corporate-level challenges are presented in the form of a portable course unit that can be integrated into hospitality classes in a variety of disciplines.

An investigation into the tourism and hospitality scholarly activity currently being undertaken in Irish higher education institutions

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to describe the tourism and hospitality scholarly activity currently taking place in Irish higher education (HE) institutions. A number of approaches to tourism and hospitality research are identified in the literature. In order to understand the policy and practice within the Irish HE sector, qualitative research was conducted through a survey of tourism and hospitality academics and researchers within Irish HE institutions. The findings suggest that tourism and hospitality scholarly activity in Ireland is being carried out in many ways, including through joint research projects between Irish HE institutions and industry. This is a positive step towards achieving research and industry harmony. The development of stand-alone research centres within these institutions can also promote and attract funding for tourism and hospitality research activities.

Creating a level playing field: a study of the admission and experiences of different groups on a university sport management course.

Abstract: This paper explores the admissions process and experiences of students enrolled on sport science courses at one UK university. Admissions data from the university identified that whilst a large number of women and ethnic minorities initially apply to sport courses, few attend open days and even fewer eventually enrol, compared to males and individuals of white ethnicity. To date, only one blind student has enrolled on the courses. Interviews investigating six undergraduate students’ experiences of the admissions process are analysed. The findings suggest that the difference is due to wider cultural issues rather than the university process, which is viewed positively by British Asian and female students. Conversely, a student with a disability was negative about the admissions process. This has far-reaching implications for university sport courses and for other institutions.

Learning to be a sport and exercise ‘scientist’: evaluations and reflections on laboratory-based learning and assessment

Abstract: This paper offers a critical and personal review of the theoretical rationale for employing the activity-based laboratory report to assess and enhance student learning within the sport and exercise sciences (SES). With reference to Biggs' (2003) concept of constructive alignment, it is suggested that the experience of active laboratory research and the written report are fundamental to the training of future sport and exercise scientists. Such activities contain critical aspects of 'scientific learning' that should be continually assessed, both formatively and summatively. An activity-based laboratory research project is subsequently described for the Level-2 undergraduate student where student feedback is also presented. It is concluded that the activity-based laboratory report should remain at the forefront of student assessment in all science-related disciplines, and the author urges those institutions involved in teaching SES to ensure that active student laboratory experience and report writing are commonplace.