The Student Journal of Service Sector Management Research

Comparison of chef perceptions on food wastage between luxury hotels and casual dining

2023-03-13T14:33:34+00:00

This study analyses the existing literature on the issues surrounding food wastage within the hospitality sector to establish the knowledge gap. The primary focus is to identify chef perceptions of the reasons behind food wastage within the kitchen and conclude if these perceptions vary when comparing different types of hospitality establishments through an operational standpoint. The semi-structured qualitative interviews, consisting of three chefs from luxury hotels and three from casual dining establishments uncovered four key research themes and additional gaps in the existing knowledge. The themes range from the chefs’ influences, the degrees of management, consumer behaviours and product utilisation, which are highlighted through an in-depth discussion of the results, further sympathising with the existing literature. The limitations surrounding the research are promulgated, drawing to a conclusion of the study that brings all the findings together to apprise future empirical research in the area.

Assessing placement students perceptions of university support through the critical incident technique

2023-03-27T10:59:55+00:00

Sandwich placements are a pivotal point in hospitality management education, where students can develop and exercise the skills, knowledge and attitude required for a career in the industry. However, it is common for students to experience difficulties whilst on placement, requiring the support of higher education institutions. This research explores the challenges faced by hospitality undergraduates who completed a twelve-month industry placement in 2022 and analyses their perceptions of university support by applying the critical incident technique as an underpinning theoretical approach. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to explore the critical incidents experienced by students and to understand how university support assisted in overcoming challenges. Results of the narrative analysis revealed that the most common negative critical incidents experienced by students involved placement location, conflicts with managers and colleagues, and poor programme coordination. Furthermore, whilst students felt university placement support was accurate to their requirements, a lack of experiential learning was identified, negatively affecting the overall placement experience. This study concludes that despite the challenges faced, students viewed their placement as a vital step in their learning that has improved their chances of a successful career in hospitality.

To explore the holiday taking patterns of people aged 70 and over: Patterns, influences and changes over time

2023-05-02T14:25:59+00:00

This paper researches and reviews factors that affect the holiday taking patterns of a sample group of individuals aged 70 and over. To begin, a summary of literature surrounding this theme will be reviewed to help understand and critically analyse the background of the research and build knowledge on the topic. The aim of the quantitative research being carried out is to determine influences that affect people’s holidays and if they have changed over time, and why, to reveal patterns in data. Factors influencing holiday choice will be explored, highlighting how the industry can cater more to the needs of this age group, to ensure travelling is made more possible and leisurely. Taking this research into account, experts and marketers can provide more appropriate options for the demographic, resulting in better quality products and services in the tourism industry, while also gaining further insight into an area which currently has contradictory findings. The paper closes with the results from the study, followed by a discussion and conclusion surrounding the research as a whole, including details of some limitations encountered.

Challenges in Recruiting and Retaining Women in Five-Star Hotels, Sri Lanka

2024-03-04T11:20:01+00:00

This study focuses on the challenges faced in recruiting and retaining women in five-star hotels in Sri Lanka. While women make up a significant portion of the workforce in the hospitality industry, they are underrepresented in many positions in Sri Lanka. This paper aims to identify the barriers that contribute to this disproportion and identify potential solutions. The research is based on a mixed-methods approach that involves surveys and interviews with women employees and managers in five-star hotels in Sri Lanka. The findings suggest that there are several challenges that hinder the recruitment and retention of women within the overall industry, including cultural norms, biases, and lack of flexibility in work arrangements. Additionally, women face barriers related to employment strategies and negative perceptions held by the society, as well as a lack of support from their family members and spouses. To address these challenges, this paper proposes several recommendations, such as implementing diversity and inclusion training programs, offering flexible work arrangements, promoting mentoring, and networking programs, and providing equal opportunities for employment and training. These recommendations aim to improve the recruitment and retention of women in the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka, which can benefit both the individual employees and the industry.