Essential Competencies for Hotel Managerial Positions

Radana Pikova

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

This study seeks to determine and compare expectations of hotel managers in Prague, educators and students at the Institute of Hospitality Management (IHM) in Prague regarding essential competencies necessary for hotel managerial positions. Surveys were compiled in order to collect data from hotel managers and students. In addition, the survey prepared for students examined their perceptions regarding contribution of hospitality management (HM) program at IHM to development of such important competencies. The list of competencies used within the study was based on a competency model developed by Chung-Herrera, Enz and Lankau (2003). A total of thirty-two hotel managers and twenty-six students participated in this study and revealed their expectations. An analysis of the curriculum for the HM program at IHM was carried out in order to identify expectations of educators who are compiling the curriculum. The results of this study indicated some discrepancies between current expectations of hotel industry and expectations of educators at IHM. Moreover, the results revealed that students neither agree nor disagree that HM program contributes to the development of such competencies. Some improvements and adjustments could be made in the curriculum according to hotel demands in order to increase the potential for success of IHM students.

Keywords

competency, competency model, entry-level manager, hospitality curriculum, hospitality educator, hotel industry

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 24. 4. 2013

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 3. 6. 2013
• Supervisor: M.A. Donna Dvorak
• Reader: PhDr. Marek Merhaut, Ph.D.

Institute of Hospitality Management in Prague

Bachelor programme / field:
Gastronomy, Hotel Management and Tourism / Hospitality Management (instruction in English)