Business Commons^™

Hospitality Highway Career Fair: An Exploratory Study, Lilly Miller

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

The goal of this creative project is to conduct research on career fairs and hospitality events to successfully host the first ever Hospitality Career Fair at the University of Arkansas. The lack of career advancement opportunities on the campus for hospitality management students continued to increase despite the rapidly growing industry across the community, so the creation of the career fair would allow improvement for the students and the companies. With a creative project, it allows more creativity and research to develop the overall plan for the event.

The project studies hospitality career events hosted at other universities to gain …

Evaluating The Sustainability Of The Portraits Of Progress Event Using The Meter Method To Achieve More Sustainable Small-Scale Events, Anna Switzer

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Global warming and climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions are causing society to re-evaluate how our actions affect the environment. This can be seen in many people’s professional and personal lives (Roy & Verplanken, 2016). The event management industry is no exception to this change of mindset. The purpose of this study is to measure the environmental impact of the Portraits of Progress Event on September 9, 2022, using the Measuring Events Through Environmental Research (METER) Method and provide recommendations to improve the sustainability of the event.

The Economic Impact Of The Cruise Ship Industry On Destination Port Countries During Covid-19, Katherine Snowberger

Honors College Theses

The travel and tourism industry was the fastest-growing industry in 2019. With more discretionary income available, many people spent their time traveling and exploring new cultures. One major sector of the travel and tourism industry is the cruise industry. In this sector of the industry, the clientele pays a flat fee to cover room, food, travel, and entertainment, which allows them to explore new and exciting ports of call. These port destinations rely heavily on tourism income to support their communities and infrastructure. This economic study aims to show how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted destination port cities and how …

Student Attitudes And Perceptions Regarding Food Waste At Unh Dining Halls, Alexander Soule

Honors Theses and Capstones

UNH works in the hospitality sector of businesses. Over the years, food waste has grown to become an alarmingly increasing problem for both the environment and businesses operating in the sector. While UNH has many food waste mitigation efforts, there is still an opportunity for both the dining halls and students to work together to help reduce food waste. A survey was performed and analyzed which reveals that many students who frequented the dining halls are willing to better adjust their dining practices to help mitigate food waste. However, this is contingent on the dining halls presenting the information of …

Silent Auction Fundraiser Dinners And Nonprofit Organizations, Kristine Chiles

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper describes and analyzes the Goldendale Pregnancy Resource Center’s annual fundraiser dinner and silent auction that was held November 4, 2021. It discusses the importance of nonprofit organizations, the difficulties encountered when planning the event, and an analysis of areas of improvement for future events. The information gathered will be used to determine the profitability of the event for the Goldendale Pregnancy Resource Center. The goal of the project is to increase revenue for the Goldendale Pregnancy Resource Center and be able to provide helpful fundraising information to other similar nonprofit organizations, although external factors, such as the COVID-19 …

Applying Artificial Intelligence In The Hotel Industry: Exploring Perspectives Of Employees, Logan O'Hara

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Robots, Artificial Intelligence, and Service Automation, or RAISA, has become increasingly accessible and affordable for a wider demographic of businesses, including hospitality operations, to implement over the last couple of decades. Especially over the past five years, we’ve seen a significant surge of interest in automating within the service industry and a coupled sense of uneasiness that this technological development would in turn displace the human workers, due to factors such as cost of labor and perceived removal of human error; however, this thesis will posit that automation is most effectively used by augmenting the capabilities of the present workforce. …

Analysis Of The Relationship Between Covid-19 And Employee Satisfaction In Luxury Hotels, Renee Bawcom

Senior Theses

This paper investigates the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and employee satisfaction in luxury hotels. Through a review of the existing body of scholarly literature about factors affecting employee satisfaction, and new collection and analysis of data on the topic, the identification and evolution of factors affecting employee satisfaction was explored. In reference to companies’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, luxury hotel employees’ levels of satisfaction were analyzed. The analysis concluded that the widespread changes made to the luxury hotel industry in response to the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a negative impact on employee satisfaction.

Harvesting A New Synergy: Exploring ‘Smart And Green’ Hotels Within The Context Of The Irish Hospitality Industry, Yi Sheng Tan

Masters

Hospitality emphasizes the ability for exchange of friendly and generous reception between businesses, guests and strangers. The complex nature of future travel and tourism industry directs the converging forces towards the hospitality industry to develop progressive strategies in response to increasing economic turbulence. Within the hotel sector, particular emphasis on emerging opportunities like sustainability and digitization are quickly shaping the strategic agenda in this competitive sector. It is envisaged that the hospitality industry will differ completely from today, owing to developments in artificial intelligence and smart technology. This research has explored the key components of the overall ‘smart and green’ …

Chefs' Perceptions Of Zero Waste Cooking In Restaurants, Josephine Reardon

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine chefs’ perceptions and practices relative to current and potentially future efforts to decrease food waste. Through qualitative inquiry, this research aims to identify food waste reduction practices in Northwest Arkansas restaurants; chef’s perceptions of these practices and zero waste cooking; the impact these practices have on successfully implementing sustainability; and the biggest challenges in reducing food waste in restaurants. The results of this study will assist chefs and restaurant owners by providing guidance on practices easily utilized in restaurants currently.

An interview protocol, with five sections, was conducted with ten chefs at …

Follow The Leader: A Followership Perspective In Restaurants, Courtney Troxtel

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

While leadership has been a popular research topic in the hospitality industry, followership has a limited amount of research contributing to the body of knowledge. Followers are a key aspect of the leadership equation; therefore, it is important to understand their role in the industry. The purpose of this study is to explore the leadership theory of followership in restaurants to examine the connections between followership training, voice behavior and employee turnover rates. The study adds to the existing knowledge of followership in the hospitality industry and provides ideas for future research and practical implications.

A descriptive survey was made …

From The Pits To The People, William J. Robertson

Senior Theses

This thesis explores the current and future status of authentic barbeque in the State of South Carolina. It begins by introducing the topic, exploring the background of barbeque in the state, and then introduces the issues at hand – the importance of advertising the restaurants and the impending question of age of the restaurants’ owners, operators, and pitmasters. In the literature review, the issues are given background and the typical authentic barbeque restaurant is described. Five restaurants are examined in the methodology and research, selected due to their locations in each of the regions of South Carolina (Midlands, Lowcountry, Upstate, …

The Center Of Success: A Case Study On Hilton's Company Culture, Elsie G. Lamo

Experience Industry Management

Company culture is an essential element to the success of any organization. This is especially true in the hospitality industry where positive employee experiences are vital to customer satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to examine the company culture of Hilton. Data were sourced primarily from Hilton websites, third-party websites, and academic articles. This study found that Hilton’s culture is shaped by compelling mission, vision, and value statements that drive every organizational aspect. Additionally, award-winning reward, recognition, and training programs sustain and reinforce a culture that grants Hilton a unique competitive advantage. To maintain market leadership, Hilton must continually …

Employee Empowerment Through Ethical Decision-Making, Jessica Mongold

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

An exploration of the importance of empowerment in the hospitality industry, and the use of ethical decision-making strategies to standardize service.

Exploring The Impacts Of Study Abroad On Hospitality Student’S Perceptions Of Emotional Intelligence, Diversity And Sustainability, Jordan Glynn Griffin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated if there was a significant difference in hospitality students who did and did not participate in a study abroad program to determine if study abroad had an impact on their emotional intelligence, diversity, and sustainability awareness. The results of this study will assist both hospitality education and study abroad by providing information.

A descriptive, four-section survey was distributed online via Qualtrics utilizing snowball sampling. A total of 110 respondents participated in the study; 72 nonstudy abroad and 38 abroad. The respondents completed the questionnaire that measured emotional intelligence, career longevity, perceptions of diversity, sustainability awareness, and demographic …

Study Of Selection Behavior Of Wine For Different Markets, Sarah C. Tobias

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Be Our Guest: A Hotel's Guide To Guest Service Hospitality Training, Abigail Ehlert

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Of Work Environment Characteristics And Work Engagement Of Limited- And Full-Service Hotel Property Front-Line Employees, Robert Jerald Thompson

Dissertations

Today, employee work engagement is viewed as one of the most important issues for corporations, given its influence on individual and organizational productivity and performance (Attridge, 2009; Czarnowsky, 2008). As a result, all organizations desire employees who are engaged, in particular the hospitality industry. As a service-providing sector of the hospitality industry, hotels are reliant on front-line employees to conduct strong customer-employee interactions and provide efficient service delivery while exceeding customer expectations (Kusluvan, 2003). The hospitality industry needs employees who are committed to the organization and one who is passionate, striving to go the extra mile, and offering discretionary effort …

Franchising As It Relates To The Hospitality Industry, Cassidy R. Morgan

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Factors Affecting Guest Satisfaction In The Restaurant Industry Of South Mississippi, Kinsey M. Eiland

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that affect guest services in the restaurant industry of South Mississippi as examined from the line level employee. This satisfaction can include things in the servicescape (e.g. noise level, parking availability) as well as the service support that a waiter receives from their coworkers and supervisors. By combining a research model that examines the guest server exchange with a typical guest satisfaction questionnaire, the researcher developed a two part internet survey to be administered to both restaurant patrons as well as line level employees working in the restaurant industry. The …

Functional Space Management In The Hospitality Industry And Its Future Outlook, Katherine Dail

Senior Theses

In recent years, profit made from ancillary revenues has become more vital to the success of service companies. This phenomenon is very pronounced in the airline industry, but is also beginning to become more relevant to hotels as it is applied to functional space and meetings. Most of these ancillary revenues, including meetings, are typically not considered an important source of revenue for hotels, but rather as tools to draw in primary activities. This thesis seeks to delve into the importance of the meetings industry to the economy and to the hospitality industry by considering underutilized functional space and customer …

Loyalty Programs: An Examination Of The Best Practices In Selected Luxury Chain Hotels, Julie Poincenot

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

Loyalty programs enable companies to reward their return customers. In the hotel industry, a loyalty program is a useful and beneficial tool to improve their customer service and entice their guests to stay with them on return visits. The purpose of this study was to conduct a best practices study on loyalty programs in luxury hotel chains. The researcher used a best practices matrix to examine the loyalty programs of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Omni Hotels and Resorts, and Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants. The study found that companies should benchmark their programs by aligning their benefits with companies similar to …

The Impact Of Anti-Byod Policies On Generation Z Hospitality Employee's Engagement, Danny Crinson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

As an industry hospitality typically reacts to problems rather than tackling them proactively. One of the greatest problems currently faced by the industry is the low engagement rates across employees. These low levels have been linked to many issues including low morale, productivity and high turnover rates. One way to try to remedy this issue before it worsens would be to look at future hospitality employees and try to understand what will engage them. Doing so will allow human resource leaders to make changes to any polices which currently do not synchronize with these engaging factors. With research suggesting that …

Environmental Sustainability Practices In The Hospitality Industry Of Orange County, California, Lauren Doherty

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

The hospitality industry is growing rapidly in its practice and implementation of green initiatives in order to preserve the natural environment and successfully meet the needs and desires of green-minded consumers. The purpose of this study was to assess the environmental sustainability practices in the hotel and special events industries of Orange County. Data was collected from participants representing seven different hotel and event venues in Orange County. The instrument used consisted of semi-structured, with some forced-choice interview questions pertaining to the sustainability practices of each property. The results indicated that the seven properties are actively establishing and practicing environmental …

An Exploratory Study Of Customer Vulnerability: A Cross-Segment Approach, Taryn Aiello

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the concept of customer vulnerability across varying service industries. While the concept of customer vulnerability has been debated in business, marketing, sociology, and psychology scholarly literature, there has been little research conducted that specifically investigates consumers’ perceptions of vulnerability during the service exchange. Specific to this research, customer vulnerability is defined as experiences in which consumers participate in a service exchange with a firm during a time of individual or shared medical, physical, emotional, or spiritual necessity, whether the vulnerability is experienced during the course of the transaction or whether consumers arrive …

Top Management's Perceptions Of Service Excellence And Hospitality: The Case Of Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, Taryn Aiello

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated service excellence and hospitality in a healthcare setting. It is unique from other hospitality research in that it considers hospitality and service excellence as separate concepts, applicable across industries. Part of the premise of this study explores how hospitality extends past service excellence to create a comfortable and welcoming environment to combat patient anxiety and stress. Furthermore, this is one of the first qualitative studies on the importance of service excellence and hospitality in the healthcare industry. This case study measured top management's perceptions of service excellence and hospitality within one community-based hospital located in Orlando, Florida. …

A Model Training Program To Prepare Hotel Service Employment Candidate For Hire, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Kevin Li-Ming Lu

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design a model training program to prepare hotel service employment candidates for hire, in selected hotels in Vancouver, Btitish Columbia, Canada. To accomplish this purpose, a review of current literature regarding training criteria for hotel service occupations employment was conducted.