Hotel and Restaurant Administration
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A Longitudinal Study of the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics
The perceived benefits, liabilities, willingness to attend, and level of resident support for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics are being investigated. Data are collected via a random telephone survey of residents of Georgia as part of the quarterly Georgia State Poll. The Poll is conducted by the Applied Research Center of Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. Each summer since 1992, a poll has been conducted as to the willingness to attend the Games, level of resident support, and resident perceptions regarding six potential Olympic benefits. Each winter since 1993, a similar poll has been completed as to the willingness to attend the Games and level of resident support questions and also asked about the perceptions of Georgians regarding eight potential Olympic Games' liabilities. Randomly selected Georgia residents are asked via the telephone to rank both the perceived benefits and liabilities on a 10 point Likert scale from a low of one to a high of 10.
Sponsor: Georgia State University and State of Oklahoma
PI: Brian Mihalik
Hotel and Restaurant Administration Program
This three year partnership in education resulted in 78 women from Otemae Business College in Japan coming to Stillwater to study English and Hotel/Restaurant Administration. These women have been well prepared to enter the workforce and represent both institutions with distinction. Their placement rate upon graduation has been approximately 75 percent, the highest of any Otemae program. Continuation of the partnership is on hold until the economic situation in Japan improves.
Sponsor: Otemae Business College
PI: Ray Kavanaugh
Native American Community Based Employability Skills Demonstration Program
March 31, 1996, marked the end of a three year project to improve job readiness skills of chronically unemployed Native Americans in the North Central Oklahoma area. The Native American Employability Skills Program curriculum incorporates both interpersonal and work related skills areas unlike any other program written specifically for Native Americans. Final statistical analysis of the curriculum modules show eight of the 10 modules significantly increased participant knowledge at the .01 level from pre- to post-test. When all modules were grouped according to interpersonal or work related skills areas, they showed significant success beyond the .0001 t value. Of the 207 participants, 180 graduated with at least 85 percent mastery of the curriculum. Overall, 95 percent increased their knowledge level by at least 10 percent from pre- to post-test, 65 percent increased by at least 15 percent, 25 percent increased by at least 20 percent, and 12.5 percent increased their knowledge by 25 percent or more. In addition, graduates reported feeling more confident and ready to attempt another try at the job market. They expressed higher self esteem and improved attitudes regarding the job search outside their Native American job markets. The majority took positive steps on their own either by returning to school or continuing in other JTPA related work programs. The project directors have submitted other proposals which will, if funded, expand the program to include employer education, a job bank, self employment, and leadership components.
Sponsor: Department of Health and Human Services
PIs: Ray Kavanaugh and Sylvia Gaiko
Training and Education Needs Assessment Study of Managers in Oklahoma's Hospitality and Health Care Industries
The goal of this study was to identify educational and training needs of hospitality and health care managers in Oklahoma. Managers evaluated 181 possible job tasks for training need and importance. Job tasks rated highest for managers were problem solving/decision making, internal communication, leadership, total quality management, and increasing sales. Job tasks rated highest for employees were resolving service problems, sanitation/safe handling procedures, external communication, employee training, and internal communication. Respondents preferred training sessions of 3-6 hours, conducted in the mornings in Oklahoma City or Tulsa. Managers indicated that the preferred modes of training/educational delivery were seminars in preferred locations such as Tulsa or Oklahoma City, workshops on campus, and videotaped training materials.
Sponsor: State of Oklahoma
PIs: Gail Sammons and Gail Gates
Quality Implementation in Small Lodging Properties
Quality is becoming a more crucial part of survival in the lodging industry. Several companies have seen the importance of this concept and have implemented programs to address this important issue. However, no process is available for smaller properties that cannot afford a human resource department. Rather these properties must rely upon the General Manager to provide training in a complex yet necessary service area. The goal of this ongoing research is to develop and test such a quality implementation program.
Sponsor: State of Oklahoma
PI: Jim Groves and Ray Kavanaugh