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Article
Publication date: 11 February 2019

Sanjay Sharma and Rekha Sharma

India is edging China to become the most populous country by 2028. More than 60 per cent of the current population of India is between 15 and 59 years of age, whereas…

617

Abstract

Purpose

India is edging China to become the most populous country by 2028. More than 60 per cent of the current population of India is between 15 and 59 years of age, whereas domestically, its relatively youthful profile is seen as the biggest challenge for the government, as India is the largest employable manpower base globally. In the past two decades, the rate of population growth in India has reduced, but the skilled labor force is expected to grow almost 2 per cent annually for the next couple of years. Historically, the Indian economy has been mainly agriculturally based, but, with urbanization, the labor is drifting toward service sectors, and people are increasingly looking to develop their skills in sectors such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, retail and health care. To sustain economic growth, there is an urgent need to develop vocational training programs that address current needs. In spite of all the favorable numbers, the question that must be answered by employers and policymakers remains: Is the available labor being skilled appropriately to be employable? The mushrooming of educational and training institutes in India has imparted professional skills to youth, but industry leaders tend to talk about the unavailability of skilled labor, especially in the culinary skills arena. In a country like India, the labor market tends to alternate between the availability and shortage of skilled labor, and so it seems ironic that on the one hand, there is a shortage of staff and at the same time graduates from various colleges and professional institutes remain unemployed; the reason could be lack of employability skills, especially culinary skills. Given this, the hospitality and tourism industry has emerged as the main driver of the service sector in India; it contributes 6.23 per cent to National GDP and 8.78 per cent of the total employment in India, contributing to significant economic growth. In this context, it is imperative for the government to take appropriate steps in devising strategies to address the problem and also secure successful implementation. This paper aims to analyze the Skill India initiative for the hospitality sector and compare it with the realities on the ground, with particular reference to culinary skills.

Design/methodology/approach

The research reported here was conducted using primary and secondary sources. Industry data were collected through focused groups and roundtable discussions. Online sources, magazines, newspapers and books are referred to as secondary sources, and the data collected are critically analyzed to reach a conclusion.

Findings

There is a significant increase in foreign and domestic tourists, and the subsectors discussed are very closely linked to food, health, traditional cooking, regional and seasonal cuisines. The demand for Indian food and slow cooking is increasing; however, despite various government initiatives, there is no significant improvement in the skill set of the available labor. As food is an important component of all tourism packages, there is a particular need for public–private partnerships to take the Skill India initiative to the next level. That said, academic standards and curriculum must align with international quality frameworks and be in sync with current and future industry demands and benchmarks.

Research limitations/implications

The dependence on the sources available online and their credibility remains the biggest challenge; however, increasing the sample size and more participation from nodal bodies and government officials would have broadened the base of the study.

Originality/value

The research adds value for industry leaders and policymakers at large. Educational institutions, students and hoteliers will find it useful as they attempt to bridge the gap and plan a roadmap according to industry requirements.

Details

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4217

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 18 April 2023

Rekha Sharma

The purpose of this study is to discern the impacts of the hospitality industry on the global ecosystem and how sustainable learning can help strengthen the tourism and…

886

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to discern the impacts of the hospitality industry on the global ecosystem and how sustainable learning can help strengthen the tourism and hospitality industry globally. Deployment of strategies such as change management is required, and in so doing, this is likely to have an impact on economic gain, society and the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an exploratory study based on secondary data drawn from relevant books, articles, journals and online sources. The opinions of the key stakeholders are compiled and discussed to provide further guidance.

Findings

The results show that although there is a lot of variance in the information that hotel chains publicly disclose about their sustainability commitments and accomplishments, they are committed to a wide variety of environmental, social and economic issues. It also points to indicators that the global hotel industry is currently pursuing “weak” rather than “strong” practices of sustainability and that efficiency gains are framed within existing business models that focus on continued growth.

Practical implications

The study provides guidance for global hospitality chains given that they are well positioned to play a leading role in promoting sustainability. Yet more can be done to broaden sustainability and reporting in the context of an external assurance framework. The study should also be helpful to hospitality managers, students and academics with an interest in hospitality industry sustainable practices.

Originality/value

The study explores the challenges that industry faces in ensuring sustainability is embedded in all aspects of learning and in equipping sustainability-sensitive individuals to make a difference.

Details

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4217

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Article
Publication date: 8 April 2014

Gitanjali Nain Gill

The purpose of this paper is to provide a case study of a global challenge: the relationship between commercial development and the protection of eco-fragile systems particularly…

827

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a case study of a global challenge: the relationship between commercial development and the protection of eco-fragile systems particularly where river water is involved. It reviews and critiques the legal and political processes that underpinned the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2010 in Delhi and the building of the accommodation Village on the floodplain of the river Yamuna.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper covers the controversial modern history of the Yamuna river that runs through Delhi. The river is “dead” and has been subject to litigation concerning its usage and that of its flood plain. In particular, the controversy peaked prior to the CWG 2010 in Delhi and the required buildings associated with the games. The paper traces the history of the legal actions and the inter-related involvement of the various actors being the politicians, construction developers, the river bank dwellers and the local environmentalists. Close analysis is made of the statutory administrative procedures required for environmental clearance, the subsequent case law both in the High Court of Delhi and the Supreme Court of India. Additionally, usage is made of the media and its concerns over corrupt and negligent practices.

Findings

The Indian judiciary in their willingness to promote the construction of the Village failed to apply its own environmental jurisprudence. There was a failure to “lift the veil” and review flawed administrative practices that violated governing statutes. National pride, time pressures, political support, economic interests and rapid urbanisation created a pressure that the courts could not challenge. It was left to investigative committees, after the Games had concluded, to expose these wrongdoings.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the issue of the relationship of the courts and political and economic interests and how legally protected ecological interests are ignored.

Details

International Journal of Law in the Built Environment, vol. 6 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-1450

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Article
Publication date: 11 February 2019

Sandeep Munjal, Shweta Tiwari and Richard Teare

This paper aims to profile the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes’ theme issue “How can the skilling India initiative become a solution to the critical need for skilled…

107

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to profile the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes’ theme issue “How can the skilling India initiative become a solution to the critical need for skilled labour in the Indian hospitality industry?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editors and writing team.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process.

Findings

This paper reviews progress relating to the implementation of the “Skill India” initiative and its impact on the skilled-labour shortage as it relates to hospitality and tourism. Arising from the analysis are suggestions and recommendations to enhance the initiative’s effectiveness.

Practical implications

This paper observes that the Skill India initiative is an ambitious effort to facilitate skills-based training, but there are numerous concerns about its design and implementation.

Originality/value

This paper provides insights from both practitioner’s and academic’s perspectives as to how to overcome the gap in the availability of skilled and trained labour in the Indian hospitality industry.

Details

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4217

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4217

Available. Content available
Book part
Publication date: 14 October 2024

Free Access. Free Access

Abstract

Details

Sustainable Tourism, Part B
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83608-327-6

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Article
Publication date: 2 October 2018

Rekha Attri and Pooja Kushwaha

Companies are looking for certain employability attributes and personality traits while recruiting and selecting suitable candidates for their organizations and there is a…

583

Abstract

Purpose

Companies are looking for certain employability attributes and personality traits while recruiting and selecting suitable candidates for their organizations and there is a mismatch in what the higher educational institutes are grooming the graduates. There is therefore a need for proactive management of career development of students. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This research involved an exploratory study on a database of 445 students enrolled and passed out from the five batches of two years business management course from 2012 to 2016 in a business school in India, to identify the parameters which led to generating good placement package for them. The impact of independent variables of live industry projects, communication skills, academic performance, classroom attendance and co-curricular activities on the placement package was studied using stepwise regression analysis.

Findings

The study revealed that industry projects, co-curricular activities, communication skills and academic performance were the key enablers which helped the students become industry ready and employable.

Research limitations/implications

This research involved the study of effect of only four independent variables- academic performance, communication skills, participation in live industry projects and co-curricular activities on the placement package received by the students. There is a scope of extending this study by considering the effect of other variables such as educational background (graduation stream, performance in that stream, scores attained in competitive exams, etc.), family background (family income, occupation of parents and their qualification, family size, etc.), geographical background (rural, urban or semi-urban) and work experience on the final placement package received by the student.

Practical implications

Employability depends on a multitude of factors which can be broadly put under three categories of knowledge, skills and attitude (Khare, 2014). Universities need to work right from the first year toward developing a wider range of employability skills rather than focusing only on developing generic competencies in the students. The results of regression analysis indicate that the impact of different predictors for a good placement package vary in strength and a student needs to focus on balancing all of them in order to get a good placement. Educational institutes can replicate this study to identify the overall employability of their students.

Originality/value

With the increase in demand from industry for work ready graduates, there is a huge pressure on educational institutes to prepare their students for the corporate world. Such studies would help the institutes in focusing on various parameters which would ultimately assist students pursuing courses in post graduate level like business management or other master courses in getting good placements.

Details

Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, vol. 8 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-3896

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 2021

Rekha Chawla, S. Sivakumar, Santosh Kumar Mishra, Harsimran Kaur and Rahul Kumar Anurag

Milk cake is a well-renowned khoa-based dairy product in India, produced either from the buffalo milk or using a specific danedar variety of khoa. Under ambient conditions…

340

Abstract

Purpose

Milk cake is a well-renowned khoa-based dairy product in India, produced either from the buffalo milk or using a specific danedar variety of khoa. Under ambient conditions, shelf-life of milk cake is generally up to 3–4 days, whereas under refrigeration conditions, it can last up to 12–14 days. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to enhance the shelf-life and keeping intact freshness of milk cake under refrigerated conditions (4 ± 2 °C).

Design/methodology/approach

Different gas concentrations of N2 and CO2 (70:30, 50:50 and 90:10) were used as a treatment, whereas control samples were kept under atmospheric air composition. The product was examined for sensory, physicochemical and microbiological parameters at weekly intervals.

Findings

The physicochemical and microbiological attributes displayed gradual elevation with progressive storage period in all the samples. However, the overall sensory profile of the product remained acceptable for a longer duration. Most of the quality parameters in control declined more rapidly with a shelf life of 14 days, in comparison to MAP packed samples, where gas flushing with the ratio 70:30 was found to be best suited for extending the shelf life of milk cake up to 28 days at refrigeration temperature.

Originality/value

To extend the shelf life of milk cake, modified atmosphere was provided with different gas ratios to reach a best-suited environment for sensory, storage life and proximate parameters.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 123 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

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Article
Publication date: 26 September 2023

Upinder Kumar, Mahender Singh Kaswan, Rakesh Kumar, Rekha Chaudhary, Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes, Rajeev Rathi and Rohit Joshi

The main aim of this study is to review different aspects of Industry 5.0 (I5.0) along with Kaizen measures to foster this novel aspect of industrial sustainability. The study…

682

Abstract

Purpose

The main aim of this study is to review different aspects of Industry 5.0 (I5.0) along with Kaizen measures to foster this novel aspect of industrial sustainability. The study makes a comprehensive study to explore the implementation status of I5.0 in industries, key technologies, adoption level in different nations and barriers to I5.0 adoption together with mitigation actions.

Design/methodology/approach

To do a systematic study of the literature, the authors have used preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) methodology to extract articles related to the field of the study.

Findings

It has been found that academic literature on the I5.0 is continuously growing as the wheel of time is running. Most of the studies on I5.0 are conceptual-based, and manufacturing and medical industries are the flag bearer in the adoption of this novel aspect. Further, due to I5.0's infancy, many organizations face difficulty to adopt the same due to financial burden, resistive nature, a well-designed standard for cyber-physical systems (CPS) and an effective mechanism for human–robot collaboration. Further studies also provide avenues for future research in terms of the identification of collaborative mechanisms between machines and wells, the establishment of different standards for comparison and the development of I5.0-enabled models for different industrial domains.

Originality/value

The study is the first of its kind that reviews different facets of I5.0in conjunction with Kaizen's measures and application areas and provides avenues for future research to improve an organization's environmental and social sustainability.

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Article
Publication date: 8 August 2024

Rekha Attri, Subhadip Roy and Sharuti Choudhary

This study aims to explore the impact of augmented reality (AR) technologies on consumer information processing and value perceptions in physical stores. Specifically, it…

802

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impact of augmented reality (AR) technologies on consumer information processing and value perceptions in physical stores. Specifically, it investigates how the vividness, novelty and interactivity of AR shape utilitarian and hedonic value perceptions, and influence consumer purchase and continuance behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the store intercept survey method at 15 retail outlets across four metro cities in India, representing nine prominent retail brands deploying AR technologies. The data collected (n = 650) were subjected to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

Major findings confirm a significant effect of vividness, novelty and interactivity on utilitarian and hedonic value perceptions of in-store AR experiences of customers in physical stores. Hedonic value was found to affect continuance intention but not purchase intention, while utilitarian value was found to affect purchase intention but not continuance.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends the stimulus–organism–response model’s application to AR in physical stores by integrating the impact of vividness, novelty and interaction on both utilitarian and hedonic values and revealing their significance in influencing purchase intentions and continuance.

Practical implications

Major findings advise retailers to increase AR experience adoption in stores and illustrate the process through which purchase and continuance intentions may be influenced.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies that explore the impact of AR on consumer attitudes and intentions in physical stores. In addition, the study explores the effect of AR tools as a process that passes through value perceptions and then affects the consumer.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 38 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

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