Personality and hospitality management development

The research analyses the contribution of personality to the exercise of the management function within the hospitality industry, and demonstrates that the profiles of incumbents can be measured more objectively by the use of self-assessment instruments. On the basis of pilot studies in Hungary and the Czech Republic a the profiles of final year hospitality students were identified and were compared with current job incumbents. Analysis of the findings indicate a mis-match between student and management traits. The conclusions suggest that educational programmes should be modified if the student experience is to be made more realistic and relevant to the needs o f industry. Implementation of the research should result in improved satisfaction of students' career aspirations and on a wider level, it could contribute significantly to management performance across the industry.