Learning to work interculturally and virtually: Developing postgraduate hospitality management students across international HE institutions

Abstract

Given the challenges of developing inter-culturally competent, digitally literate, team players amidst a realm of other postgraduate competencies this paper outlines the initiative developed by academic teams from three European institutions. The paper outlines the virtual intercultural collaboration and its development and then reports on the results of a survey conducted with participating students from two years of the initiative. Students' perceptions of the generic value of specific skills sets in virtual team working and intercultural competence are identified as well as their views of the specific project's capacity to develop their own skills in the relevant areas, are explored. The results suggest that since social media, team work and intercultural interactions seem to be ever present dimensions of the contemporary world of work it appears to be important that students encounter meaningful virtual and intercultural learning opportunities during their postgraduate management studies. Finally this paper highlights the value of inter-programme teaching and learning collaborative activities between European higher education institutions.

Transition to Online Culinary and Beverage Labs: Determining Student Engagement and Satisfaction During COVID-19

“…For example, as hospitality workers were furloughed or terminated, many enrolled in online courses or certificate training, some of which were offered free of charge (Fox, 2020). The online environment also allows hospitality instructors to harness social exchanges and communication skills, and to design lessons and activities that mimic working virtually within the international teams, prevalent before the pandemic among international hotel brands (Choi & Choi, 2020;Gannon et al, 2016;Vizergy Digital Marketing, 2020).…”

Visual thinking and cooperative learning in higher education: HOW does its implementation affect marketing and management disciplines after COVID-19?

“…As higher education continues to internationalize, student groups become more culturally diverse ( Gannon et al, 2016 ; Ohajionu, 2021 ) and the likelihood that students will participate in cross-cultural group work during their studies continues to increase ( Poort et al, 2022 ). Although the literature examining the utility of group projects is extensive, the link between cooperative learning, group performance and competency development in multicultural higher education contexts remains unclear ( Sweeney et al, 2008 ).…”

Mind the Gap: Exploring Hospitality Teachers’ and Student Interns’ Perception of Using Virtual Communities for Maintaining Connectedness in Internship

“…Such a statement is supported by the study of Ayres (2006). Gannon, Rodrigo, and Santomà (2016) further suggested that "we can extend the functionality and affordance of web 2.0 technologies by creating virtual classrooms which can enhance their virtual, intercultural and team working abilities" (p. 21). Furthermore, the value of internship to hospitality education has already been claimed and in order to make students of hospitality programs being benefitted from internship, teachers should maintain connectedness with their intern students through virtual communities.…”

“…Gannon, Rodrigo and Santomà (2016) suggested that social network sites or any other virtual environments are able to facilitate students' meaningful learning. According to the survey conducted by Taiwan Network Information Center (TWNIC) in 2013, over 16 million out of the entire 23 million population in Taiwan used Internet on daily basis and it seems sound to state that using internet is part of our routine.…”