What is missing from today's Hospitality education?

An exploratory research

Lourdes Susaeta- Universidad Complutense de Madrid Ksenia Smirnova- Universidad Complutense de Madrid
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Research Objetive
The purpose of this investigation is to learn at first hand the opinions of industrys professionals concerning the main gaps in Hospitality Management Education, which the sector is claiming for. The research will also aim to identify any recommendations or changes that could be made to match more successfully expectations of both students and hospitality professionals.

Why this research?

Exploratory research is conducted into this research problem, because there are very few or no earlier studies to which we can refer for information about the issue. The increased importance of tourism and the hotel sector, have generated critical needs for well-rounded, welleducated and capable human resources Customers' satisfaction depends to a large degree on people working in the industry The responsibility of the hospitality education according to Stutts (1995) is to combine industry priorities with student needs. Formal hospitality management education plays a crucial role in the provision of skilled and competent human resources

Literature review
Hospitality education itself was born out of a need to supply the hospitality industry with competent managers and is often driven by industry standards (Nelson and Dopson, 2001) However, researchers found discrepancies between formal training and employer demands in the hospitality industry (Johnstone, 1994).
Some hospitality programs are faulted as being too theoretical, Academic programs will be increasingly driven by technology

The literature found the need to change content in hospitality education to keep pace with industry.

Method
Qualitative research based in social media network: Social media research makes possible to examine different points of view of professionals and amateurs from different parts of the world Existing information is shared and new knowledge is developed with respect to multiple topics and professional concerns Social media has attracted substantial interest by specialist groups of the societies, in our case:
Hotel chain CEOS, Human Resource Managers, Academics, Educators, students, that constitute all the agents with certain implication in this research problem.

Method
We focus our research in a discussion of a LinkedIn group , named Luxury Hoteliers, hospitality group for professionals, with over 77.000 members. The specifically selected scenario of discussion has been started in the title of Just what is missing from todays Hospitality education? Your views please? The discussion was started in January of 2013 and in 6 months more than 400 comments were posted by expert members professionals from all over the world.

Results
Nine specific areas will be highlighted and thoroughly studied: 1. Practical skills and knowledge:
Hospitality management education can be perceived as a mixture of academic, professional and craft knowledge and skills aimed at satisfying the needs of the hospitality industry. Lack of practical skills among graduates of hospitality schools

2.

Professorate:
Lack of practical skills and having few real specialists among the professorate of hospitality schools Educational organizations should not only look forward to having certified specialists with doctorates but also consider professionals of the industry as potential educators

Results
3. Understanding of the future perspectives:
One of the problems that hospitality educations faces is that students frequently have too high expectations There is a considerable distance between the reality and what students are told in the hospitality schools and universities Before starting a career in hospitality, students should be explained in detail all the outstanding features of the industry and all the effort it involves

4.

Culture of service
Passion of service cannot be taught, it must be inspired, if it's missing, maybe the missing element is the dissemination of passion from the top and from the teachers.

5.

Necessary attitudes:
The industry demands a higher level of attitudinal, skills which should be taken into consideration by the educators of future hospitality professionals.

Results
6. Creativity support and freedom
Creativity, vision and imagination are qualities that are demanded in hospitality on a day-to-day basis, and that is why they should be inspired and supported from the very beginning.

7.

Basic education and discipline

Hospitality education institutions should also make students understand the importance of body language and presentation skills, and for the same reason: it should be a pleasure for clients to deal with an employee.

8.

Social skills
An ability to negotiate, delegate, coordinate actions successfully, and other socials skills are essential in order to become a good professional

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Results
9. Necessary subjects
Cultures and cultural diversity: How different cultures think differently, therefore communicate, differently, and understand the service process

Special needs management

Psychology Laws Accounting, finance, cost control, etc.

Modern technology

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Conclusions and contribution

This discussion clearly indicates that whilst
The academy is advancing an argument for the development of higher order skills such as critical thinking, management and strategy development, The industry, in contrast, places a higher emphasis on technical skills, front line supervisory skills and interpersonal skills.

The research suggests that both the industry and educational institutions need to engage in more dialogue
to gain a greater appreciation of the benefits of recruiting well-educated ambitious university graduates.

What is missing from today's Hospitality education? An exploratory research

Lourdes Susaeta- Universidad Complutense de Madrid Ksenia Smirnova- Universidad Complutense de Madrid
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