Hotel General Managers Perception of Factors Related to Women Career Progression in the Hospitality Industry at the Coast Region of Kenya.
Loading...
Date
2014-03-06
Authors
Nzioka, Alice Mueni
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study was a descriptive survey and the research methods employed included both
quantitative and qualitative. The study was conducted in the coastal region of Kenya.
Records held by the Kenya Association of Hotel keepers and Caterers indicate that out of
sixty six (66) hotel general managers for classified hotels at the coast region of Kenya only
(3) 4% of women are in top management positions. The study sought to determine the
factors that affect women career progression in the hospitality industry and the hotel's
general managers' perceptions of such factors then determine whether the perception of the
hotel general managers affects women career progression in the hospitality industry in
Kenya. The literature outlined the theories that relate to women's career progression,
discussed the role of women managers in the hospitality industry and reviewed previous
studies on the factors that affect women's career progression. The population for this study
comprised hotel general managers, departmental heads and supervisors from classified
hotels at the coast and classified hotel owners operating hotel businesses at the coast region
of Kenya. The study employed stratified random sampling technique and the respondents
were purposively selected. The sample size for this study was thirty seven men and three
women general managers, forty three female hotel departmental managers and supervisors
and three chain hotel owners. To establish validity and reliability of the instruments a pretest
was conducted and the coefficient of internal consistency-the split-half reliability
method was used. The study used questionnaire; Focus Group Discussions and Personal
Interview methods to collect data. Descriptive statistics, Content analysis, Pearson's
correlation analysis and multiple regressions were used for data analysis. This study
identified Job related characteristics, Socio-cultural and organizational factors, work and
family conflicts and gender discrimination as the factors that affect women's career
progression in the hospitality industry in the coast region of Kenya. Job related
characteristics had significant positive relationship with work and gender discrimination r =
0.991, p<O.OI while Socio-cultural and organizational factors had significant positive
relationship with work and family conflict factors r = O. 973, P <0.01). The perception
model was expressed as Y = 16.81 + 1.87V1 + 5.69J2 + 1.15 F3 +1.05W4. From the
findings of this study it was concluded that although individually the perception of the hotel
GM was influenced by their socio-economic and demographic factors their perception
seemed to reflect the hospitality industry organizational culture and as such determine if the
hospitality career was regarded as inclusive or exclusive of female employees. The study
recommends that at the hotel level, corporate policy and senior executive commitment are
key in formulating strategies to facilitate women's career progression to management and
executive positions.
Description
Department of Hospitality Management, 194 p. 2013, TX 911.3 .N9