research paper

Significant changes in the competitive environment of business and education, along with changes in the macro-environment, point to the need for curriculum reform in hospitality management. Determining relevant competencies and skill sets has helped human resource managers over the years to improve hiring and selection practices, in developing strategies to retain managers, and in career planning initiatives. This study is a review of competencies that have been emphasized by hospitality industry leaders for success in the field over the years, and to report similarities as well as key changes in skills demanded of students graduating from hospitality management programs.

Determining relevant competencies and skill sets has helped human resource managers over the years to improve hiring and selection practices, in developing strategies to retain managers, and in career planning initiatives. There are many reasons for this. One is the high level of “movement” that has plagued the hospitality industry for more than 25 years. Specifically, industry has strived to identify valid job competencies and skill sets required for future leaders in an effort to reduce turnover as well as combat challenges in the recruitment and retention of quality managers. Moreover, hospitality leaders have long demanded that students graduating from industry specific higher education programs possess appropriate management skills and competencies required to remain competitive. These underscore the critical role of the educational experience and the importance of curriculum development in shaping the industry’s future leaders.

A review of 25 years of studies about the knowledge, skills and abilities industry professionals, students and faculty perceive as important yields some interesting points for discussion. In this section, some emergent thematic findings, some anomalous skills, and some potential changing perceptions of desirable competencies will be
discussed.