School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration

Development and Analysis of Employee Services at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center

This project is subsequent research to three previous studies. Phase one identified strategic recommendations for the improvement of food and employee services at the Center. Phase two included a review of employee service programs at other federal and state agency locations, providing assistance with the implementation of the strategic plan developed in the initial research project, and development of over-arching service strategies for the center. Phase three focused on working with architects and engineers on the development of designs for new construction and renovation of employee service facilities at the Center. This phase of the project included working with a multi-dimensional team of Center employees to create an RFP for the provision of dining services at the Center. The project also included development of evaluation criteria, review of proposals, and establishment of contract provisions. The results of these research projects will have significant economic impact for the state of Oklahoma through the enhancement of employee services in a federal facility that employs approximately 4000 people and provides education for over 10,000 students from around the world.

Sponsor: Mike Maroney Aeronautical Center/Federal Aviation Administration

PI: Bill Ryan

Doing International Business: A Course in Protocol

Through a grant from the USDA, continuation of a course on Global protocol resulted in an online course being launched this semester. Both MS Word and MS PowerPoint files were provided to students on the web with easy access. Students could manage their individual learning pace from accessing the global protocol materials online at their conveniences. Due to the web-based setting, this semester the delivery methods were Blackboard online discussion in order to associate the material with current global issues. Undergraduate as well as graduate students were enrolled, and undergraduate students seemed to enjoy expanding their global literacy through the reading and on-line discussion with graduate students.
Sponsor: United States Department of Agriculture, Higher Education Program

PI: Lynda Martin

Feasibility Study for Okemah Economic Development and Authority

This feasibility study is to prepare an economic feasibility report for a possible lodging establishment in the township of Okemah, Oklahoma. This project provided students with practical learning experience. In order to accurately and effectively complete the feasibility study, the market demand and supply for this project must be identified. Upon the determination of the demand other major factors must be considered, for example, the costs for the entire project, what size facility will Okemah be able to accommodate, the location of the facility, and what type of amenities will be offered through the new facility. The main question that will be answered is if the hotel will be feasible economically to potential hotel investors.

Sponsor: Okemah Economic Development Authority

PI: Woo Kim

Hospitality Business Alliance Workshop

This workshop is a collaboration with the Oklahoma Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association in an endeavor to reach out to secondary high school and career tech teachers to help them develop and create classroom environments that reflect current trends and issues within the hospitality industry.

Sponsor: Hospitality Business Alliance

PI: Lynda Martin