scholarly journals Exploring critical conceptual space in hospitality higher education

2020 ◽  
Vol 00 (00) ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Kelvin Zhang

This article employs criticality, a concept that embodies various intellectual values, to evaluate the forms and degree of criticality currently manifested in hospitality higher education. Criticality is discussed in relation to the academic well-being of hospitality as an academic subject. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 55 academics working in nine universities in the United Kingdom, capturing how they interpret criticality in relation to teaching hospitality courses and conducting hospitality research. The study revealed that conceptualizations of criticality in relation to the academic subject of hospitality largely occupy an uncritical conceptual space. Hospitality is restrictively understood with its commercial manifestations, namely ‘the hotel industry’, with alternative understandings of hospitality and hospitality offerings largely missing. The primary purpose of teaching criticality is perceived as an essential competency crucial for graduate employability. Critical research is perceived as studies that are relevant and applicable to ‘the hotel industry’. The conceptualizations of criticality revealed an unwelcoming academic community, whereby a dismissive attitude was expressed towards alternative approaches to the study of hospitality. With the prevalent neo-liberal influences on higher education, an uncritical conceptual space of hospitality raises serious concerns regarding the future development of hospitality as an academic subject in higher education.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 269
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Vlachopoulos

This study investigated perceptions of organizational change management among executive coaches working with British higher-education leaders and factors that make leaders effective when managing change. This basic qualitative research used semi-structured interviews with eight executive coaches selected through purposeful sampling. As main challenges to efficient, inclusive change management, participants mentioned leaders’ lack of a strategic vision or plan, lack of leadership and future leader development programs, and lack of clarity in decision-making. They recognized that leaders’ academic and professional profiles are positively viewed and said that, with coaching and support in leadership and strategic planning, these people can inspire the academic community and promote positive change. Additional emphasis was given to the role of coaching in the development of key soft skills (honesty, responsibility, resiliency, creativity, proactivity, and empathy, among others), which are necessary for effective change management and leadership in higher education. The paper’s implications have two aspects. First, the lessons of the actual explicit content of the coaches’ observations (challenges to efficient change management and views of leaders); second, the implications of these observations (how coaching can help and what leaders need).


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Folashade T Alloh ◽  
Desiree Tait ◽  
Clare Taylor

This study explored the factors that contribute to the health experience of Nigerian students in the United Kingdom. Challenges faced by international students include dietary issues, isolation, stress, depression and others. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted combination of purposive sampling and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit participants for the study. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis and Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to interpret themes. Two major themesfrom our findings were discussed under broad headings: Transitional changes and financial capability. These findings have practical implications for Nigerian students’ well being in a U.K. university. Cultural dimension is needed to reduce culture shock experience among international students during sojourning


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 121-127
Author(s):  
Maksim A. Korytsev ◽  

The article is devoted to the analysis of alternative approaches applicable to modern reform of higher education. Last three decades, the set of management technologies of the new public management (NPM) has significantly transformed higher education, introducing application some elements of quasi-markets and metric systems of performance indicators. Their large-scale use was reinforced by the ideology of new manageralism, which builds confidence among managers in effectiveness of their application in higher education. However, the experience of their practical implementation has given rise to negative effects and problems associated with emergence of institutional traps. These traps have become serious obstacles to development of modern higher education. The possible alternative when adjusting development in this sphere can be the concept of “the new public service”, which has been implemented in recent years within civil service reform. This new approach is based on cultivating the set of ethical values and principles that promote openness, transparency, democracy and cooperation between bureaucrats and consumers of public services. Due to some specifics of professional activity in the academic environment, its principles and values can be successfully applied in higher education too. The article offers an interpretation of application of this approach in the context of expanding project education and cultivating key values of the academic community in context of management of higher education.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Elizabeth Hardy ◽  
Rebecca Malby ◽  
Nina Hallett ◽  
Anam Farooq ◽  
Carol Chamley ◽  
...  

Purpose The introduction of a People’s Academy (PA) within the School of Health and Social Care (HSC) at London South Bank University has created ripples across the pond that is Higher Education. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach Working as a coproduction innovation hub, the PA celebrates inclusion of those with a lived experience of HSC services into the academic community as valued members of the teaching and learning team. In its second year the PA has gained attention and achieved a “highly commended” status from external regulating bodies. Findings In this paper the authors report on aspects arising from an entrepreneurial education approach. First, is the work-based learning experience students achieve within the Higher Education Institution (HEI) setting, preparing them for clinical placements and client encounters. Second are ripples of activity the PA work streams have sent throughout the academic staff via critically creative working practices as a process of entrepreneurial education. Conclusions focus on a sustainable approach to recovery and resilience (whether physical or psychological) and overall well-being that PA members recognise as a raised level of compassion for sustainable health and well-being for all. Social implications The work and enthusiasm of the PA as an authentic social engagement process rippling across the “University” experience; whether for students in the classroom or when working alongside academic staff, is identifiable in all aspects of academic activities. Most importantly is a positive gain in terms of knowledge, skills and confidence for the PA members themselves and their own well-being enhancement. Originality/value The PA approach to entrepreneurial education and work-based learning across the HEI setting is one of the first of its kind. This paper outlines core practices to achieve innovative coproduction approach that others may wish to replicate.


Author(s):  
Li Laurent ◽  
David Sheffield ◽  
Fiona Holland

AbstractBuddhism is an ancient religion and philosophy of living that is practised worldwide. More recent interest in mindfulness as a practice and intervention in the West has highlighted Buddhist-derived concepts as useful in supporting health and well-being. As a result, the desire to understand Buddhism in its more complete form has strengthened. Although research into mindfulness and compassion is growing, there is a new interest in second-generation mindfulness, i.e. interventions that draw upon a more holistic use of Buddhist practices. To date, little research has explored this in Western contexts. For the current study, Nichiren Buddhists from the United Kingdom who had been practising for at least three years were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore their experience of this practice and how it informed their approach to daily life and, in particular, their health and well-being. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was employed as a method to understand the participants’ experiences. Three themes were generated using an inductive approach: (1) finding meaning—“All experiences have got so much value now”— which reflected the participants’ determination to seek purpose and value in all aspects of their life; (2) Buddhism as a needed ‘tool’—“I use it all the time”—which revealed their practice as an important method to help them manage their lives; and (3) agency—“I’m in control of my destiny”—which highlighted the participants’ engagement (supported by their Buddhist practice) in taking responsibility for their actions and responses. Findings indicate the need for future studies to further explore Buddhism as a mechanism for enhancing and sustaining well-being.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mineshree Naidoo-Chetty ◽  
Marieta du Plessis

Too many job demands and not enough job resources can negatively influence the well-being of employees. Currently, limited information exists surrounding the job demands and resources as experienced by academic employees in the higher education sector. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the job demands and job resources experienced by academic employees using qualitative methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 academic employees, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Approach. Thematic analysis, specifically template analysis was used to categorize the themes. Job demands were divided into three categories: quantitative (publication pressure, overburdened with the load, and competing time demands), qualitative (work/home balance, complexity of student support, organizational politics, and lack of mental health support) and organizational demands (using technology-mediated learning and lack of structural resources). Job resources were organized into two categories: organizational (social support) and personal resources (autonomy, meaningful work, and personal support). Participant experiences are highlighted to provide a better understanding of the job demands and job resources encountered. The framework of job demands and job resources gleaned from the study could be used for further research to manage and monitor motivational processes for academic staff, and to reduce strain due to high job demands.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 65-79
Author(s):  
Konrad Kulikowski ◽  
Anna Potoczek ◽  
Emil Antipow ◽  
Szymon Król

There is a great deal of research showing that PhD students suffer from dissatisfaction. Whereas most studies in this field strived to identify factors negatively related to PhD students’ well-being, still little is known about factors positively related to the well-being of young academics. We based our analysis on the Job Demands-Resource Theory (JD-R), to identify study resources positively related to PhD student satisfaction. Building on the results of the survey conducted among 360 PhD students of the Jagiellonian University (Poland) we singled out seven main resources most strongly related to PhD student satisfaction. Our findings might provide initial evidence about what type of resources are worth developing to maximize PhD student well-being. These results could be of particular importance and interest for candidates who look for PhD positions and PhD students already working in different academic environments, as well as for broader academic community and higher education policymakers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 432-445
Author(s):  
Valerie Gant ◽  
Claire Bates

This article discusses potential opportunities for best practice in the United Kingdom that may be brought about by the Care Act (2014). Carers in the United Kingdom were given new rights within this legislation with a focus on needs led assessment. The underpinning philosophy of the Care Act is to streamline the previous legislation and offers a framework for carers and people in receipt of care, to enable a more personalized approach to care and support. Offering a discussion of likely opportunities brought about by provisions of the Care Act, this article draws on a small study involving older parent/carers of sons or daughters with intellectual disabilities. Exploring the extent to which such parents of adults with intellectual disabilities were aware of the details of this legislation and the potential impact it may have on their lives highlighted other significant areas, some of which are discussed below. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five parents over the age of 60 of sons or daughters with intellectual disabilities in North West England. The study adds to the body of knowledge and understanding about parents of adults with intellectual disabilities and explores and provides a deeper understanding of parents’ experiences of the implementation of this specific piece of legislation and their perception of the relevance of it to themselves. Findings include some awareness of the legislation and some feelings of optimism about its likely implications, although participants appeared less clear about the specificities and the impact of these upon them and/or their sons or daughters. Findings from the semi-structured interviews also showed parent’s articulation of the extent of reciprocal care manifest between them and their son or daughter with an intellectual disability, as well as an awareness of the fragility of their own emotional well-being.


2019 ◽  
pp. 102831531986578
Author(s):  
Jie Ma ◽  
Catherine Montgomery

This article explores how sustainable international partnerships in higher education might be constructed by linking the strategic and contingent through interpersonal relationships. It aims to foreground the role of individuals in developing and sustaining international partnerships amid an increasingly strategic landscape of higher education internationalization. To present how individuals themselves make sense of their efforts in building sustainable international partnerships in higher education across different contexts, 31 semi-structured interviews were conducted with different administrative and disciplinary staff in two universities in the United Kingdom and China. Findings suggest that interpersonal relationships provide a strong basis for sustainable partnerships and it is through contingent networking between individual academics that interpersonal relationships are developed. However, it is through strategic planning by senior academics that interpersonal relationships are embedded in the institution. Hence, an approach to linking the strategic and contingent through interpersonal relationships is thus proposed to build sustainable international partnerships.


Author(s):  
Jonilson Costa Correia

O trabalho teve como objetivo analisar o ensino superior em hotelaria na Universidade Federal do Maranhão a partir da imersão teórica sobre esse fenômeno, bem como da escuta dos sujeitos envolvidos na pesquisa. Os sujeitos envolvidos na pesquisa foram os graduandos do Curso de Hotelaria da UFMA. Para a concretização da pesquisa, optamos pela abordagem qualitativa, utilizando a entrevista semiestruturada como instrumento de coleta de dados. O trabalho revelou que ainda há uma falta de sintonia entre a formação do profissional de hotelaria e o setor hoteleiro. Haja vista que faltam espaços para aulas práticas e estratégias que aliem a teoria à realidade. O setor hoteleiro de São Luís, ainda, apresenta fragilidade e problemas que dificultam a valorização do egresso do curso de hotelaria no mercado. A realização de uma pesquisa sobre este tema pode ser relevante não só para as instituições de ensino, mas também para empresas empregadoras que podem se beneficiar com a formação dos profissionais.Palavras-chave: Ensino Superior; Graduandos; Hotelaria.THE HIGHER EDUCATION IN HOSPITALITY AT FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF MARANHÃO: perceptions of undergraduate studentsABSTRACTThe work aims to analyze higher education in hotel management at the Federal University of Maranhão from the theoretical immersion on this phenomenon, as well as listening to the subjects involved in the research. The subjects involved in the research were the graduates of Hospitality Course from UFMA. To achieve the research we chose the qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews as a data collection instrument. The study revealed that there is still a lack of harmony between the formation of professional hotel and the hotel industry. Given that lack spaces for practical classes and strategies that combine theory to reality. Still, the hotel industry of São Luís presents fragility and problems that hinder the recovery of the egress of hospitality course in the market. Conducting a research on this topic may be relevant not only for educational institutions, but also for business employers, who can benefit from the training of professionals.Keywords: Higher Education; Graduate students; Hospitality.LA EDUCACIÓN SUPERIOR EM HOSTELERIA EN LA UNIVERSIDAD FEDERAL DE MARANHÃO: percepciones de los estudiantes universitariosRESUMENEl trabajo tiene como objetivo analisar la educación superior en la dirección del hotel en la Universidad Federal de Maranhão de la inmersión teórico sobre este fenómeno, así como escuchar a los sujetos involucrados en la investigación. Los sujetos involucrados en la investigación fueron los graduados de Hostelería Curso UFMA. Para lograr la investigación se optó por el enfoque cualitativo mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas como un instrumento de recolección de datos. El estudio reveló que todavía hay una falta de armonía entre la formación del profesional del hotel y la industria hotelera. Dados que carecen de espacios para clases prácticas y estrategias que combinan la teoría a la realidad. Aunque, la industria hotelera de San Luís presenta fragilidad y problemas que dificultan la recuperación de la salida, por supuesto, la hospitalidad en el mercado. Llevar a cabo una investigación sobre este tema puede ser relevante no sólo para las instituciones educativas, sino también para los empresarios de negocios, que pueden beneficiarse de la formación de profesionales.Palabras clave: Educación Superior; Los Estudiantes Graduados; Hospitalidad.


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