The purpose of this study was to investigate if personality tests would help in predicting the success of students in their preferred job setting as compared to current high performers (managers).
The applied objective of this study was to update hospitality curriculum by identifying underlying dimensions for current high performing managers and guide the students to acquiring the necessary skills and traits so that they could be the high performers.
From the comparison of the directors of sales and assistant general managers managerial positions, it seemed that there was not a significant difference between directors of sales and assistant general managers, however, director of sales were more considerate than the general managers and assistant general managers were more relationally driven, considerate and more affiliated.
Higher performing employees (all three positions combined) exhibited distinct patterns of personality traits (Achievement Drive, Assertiveness, Adaptability, Uncertainty Avoidance and Self-protection) from students, suggesting that certain personality characteristics are more closely associated with specific job requirements than others. Higher performing employees tend to exhibit a unique profile from hospitality students.
A distinct combination of personality traits was derived for each position; there was no universal combination across all jobs but Assertiveness was the common dimension that all the managers scored higher than the student group no matter what the managers’ position is. When students compared with the high performer assistant
general managers, managers tend to get a higher score in Assertiveness. In general manager comparison, managers scored higher in Assertiveness, Achievement Drive, while students scored higher in Uncertainty Avoidance. However, in directors of sales comparison, managers scored higher in Assertiveness and Adaptability. This suggests that higher performance levels may be achieved when employees' (and job seekers') personality characteristics are evaluated in light of job requirements. Students can be educated regarding the unique personality characteristics required of hospitality management positions. Students can learn to adapt their behavior more readily and skillfully based on an enhanced understanding of their intended profession.
Certain individual personality traits (Leadership, Communication, Capacity, People Management and Self-management) exhibited correlation to job performance, revealing that, along with knowledge and skills, there is a value in measuring other personal characteristics in employment-related decisions.
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APPENDICES
Appendix A: IRB Approval Letter
January 28, 2013 Gunce Malan
USF Sarasota/Manatee - Sch of Hotel and Restaurant Management RE: Expedited Approval for Initial Review IRB#: Pro00010947
Title: Do Personality Tests have a place in Academic Preparation of Undergraduate Hospitality Students?
Dear Ms. Malan:
On 1/28/2013, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviewed and APPROVED the above referenced protocol. Please note that your approval for this study will expire on 1/28/2014. Approved Items:
Protocol Document(s):
Do Personality Tests Have a Place in Academic Preparation of Undergraduate Hospitality Students?
Consent/Assent Documents:
Manager ICF granted a waiver of informed consent documentation Student ICF granted a waiver of informed consent documentation
It was the determination of the IRB that your study qualified for expedited review which includes activities that (1) present no more than minimal risk to human subjects, and (2) involve only procedures listed in one or more of the categories outlined below. The IRB may review research through the expedited review procedure authorized by 45CFR46.110 and 21 CFR 56.110. The research proposed in this study is categorized under the following expedited review categories:
(5) Research involving materials (data, documents, records, or specimens) that have been collected, or will be collected solely for nonresearch purposes (such as medical treatment or diagnosis).
(7) Research on individual or group characteristics or behavior (including, but not limited to, research on perception, cognition, motivation, identity, language, communication, cultural beliefs or practices, and social behavior) or research employing survey, interview, oral history, focus group, program evaluation, human factors evaluation, or quality assurance methodologies
Your study qualifies for a waiver of the requirements for the documentation of informed consent as outlined in the federal regulations at 45 CFR 46.117 (c): An IRB may waive the requirement for the investigator to obtain a signed consent form for some or all subjects if it finds either: (1) That the only record linking the subject and the research would be the consent document and the principal risk would be potential harm resulting from a breach of
confidentiality. Each subject will be asked whether the subject wants documentation linking the subject with the research, and the subject's wishes will govern; or (2) That the research presents no more than minimal risk of harm to subjects and involves no procedures for which written consent is normally required outside of the research context.
As the principal investigator of this study, it is your responsibility to conduct this study in accordance with IRB policies and procedures and as approved by the IRB. Any changes to the approved research must be submitted to the IRB for review and approval by an amendment. We appreciate your dedication to the ethical conduct of human subject research at the
University of South Florida and your continued commitment to human research protections. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please call 813-974-5638.
Sincerely,
Kristen Salomom, PhD, Vice Chair USF Institutional Review Board
Appendix B: Questionnaire Cover Letters
Do Personality Tests have a place in Academic Preparation of Undergraduate Hospitality Students?
eIRB# 10947
Dear Hospitality Student,
I am currently a master student in Hospitality Management at the College of
Hospitality and Technology Leadership. I am working on my thesis and I would like to ask your help with this research by completing an online survey. This study hopes to discover the dominant personality influences within the hospitality industry. Please note that there are no right and wrong answers. The results will be kept confidential. This survey is intended to measure multiple dimensions of your personality that influence how you interact with others and approach work activities. You will likely need about 15 minutes to complete this survey. As you respond to the survey, please notice that each question is presented in two forms: THE PERFECT ANSWER and MY ACTUAL ANSWER. When responding to MY ACTUAL ANSWER, please resist the temptation to answer in a way that you think would reflect the ideal employee. Rather, please answer as honestly as you can, recognizing both your strengths and weaknesses as you see them. For some questions, THE PERFECT and ACTUAL RESPONSES will be the same, while they will be different for others.
The survey will be most helpful if you have been honest about your approach to the questions presented. Your answers will be kept confidential. By clicking into the link below, you freely give your consent to take part in this study and authorize that your information as agreed above, be collected/used in this study and you agreed that USF IRB and the Dept. of Health and Human Services can review all research records. You can get to the survey by clicking on the following link: USF LDP.
If you have any questions about this study, please contact Gunce Malan at 407 473 4966 or [email protected]. If you have questions about your rights, general questions, complaints, or issues as a person taking part in this study, you can call the USF IRB at (813) 974-5638.
Do Personality Tests have a place in Academic Preparation of Undergraduate Hospitality Students?
eIRB# 10947
Dear Participant,
McKibbon Hotel Group has teamed up with College of Hospitality and Technology Leadership at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee for a research project to study the measure of job-related personality characteristics. I would like to ask your help with this research by completing an online survey. This study hopes to discover the dominant personality influences within the hospitality industry. Please note that there are no right and wrong answers. The results will be kept confidential. This survey is intended to measure multiple dimensions of your personality that influence how you interact with others and approach work activities. You will likely need about 15 minutes to complete this survey. As you respond to the survey, please notice that