Factors impacting womens’ career development in the hospitality industry

Abstract

Factors that impact female managers in career development in the hospitality industry The hospitality industry is growing fast with the result there is a demand for more employees to assist in the various aspects of the industry. Together with this there is a noticeable increase in the number of females occupying management positions within the industry. The phenomenon that women are still restricted in career advancement is still evident. Several Studies show that the number of women in managerial positions is unbalanced compared to the percentage of women in the workforce including the hospitality industry. What does it take for female managers to attain and retain managerial positions? What challenges or obstacles are female managers confronting that are hindering their career development? This research project presented the general profile of female managers in Cape Town’s five and four star hotels, and examined the different factors that impact the female manager’s advancement in career development within the hospitality industry. The purpose was to identity the different factors that hinder female manager’s career development in hospitality industry. And the factors formulated are social, personally, cultural, economical, and professional or industry related and evaluate what the hospitality industry is doing in promoting and encouraging women’s career advancement. The target population for this study was female managers in Cape Town’s five and four star hotels. The criteria used included all female managers, in different departments within the selected Cape Town’s five or four star establishments. The research design consists of self administered questionnaires sent to a sample of five and four star hotels. Ethical consideration was considered important in the process of the research study. The results demonstrate that there are different factors hindering women in maintaining, obtaining and sustaining managerial postions within the hospitality industry. The significance of the research study will assist the female managers and the industry identity the different factors that interrupt women’s career development in the industry and identity different and appropriate strategies to promote and enhance women’s progression in the hospitality industry.