Mohd Fadil Mohd Yusof, Anthony Wong, Ghazali Ahmad, Roslizawati Che Aziz and Kashif Hussain
The purpose of this paper is to present the concept of 2u2i – two years attachment with university and two years attachment with industry – a new learning mode introduced by the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the concept of 2u2i – two years attachment with university and two years attachment with industry – a new learning mode introduced by the Ministry of Education as a strategy to enhance the employability of university undergraduate degree students in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
The new mode of undergraduate degree program requires the university and industry to collaborate on the design of the curriculum and development of student training programs. Based on a series of qualitative discussions, the paper draws on the perspectives of university administrators and selected practitioners from the hospitality and tourism industry who are interested in developing 2u2i curriculum and working together to enhance the overall employability of university graduates. The paper explains the issues and challenges in implementing the 2u2i program at a local public university as a case study in Malaysia.
Findings
The 2u2i program provides a significant opportunity for industry to collaborate with the university in enhancing competencies and relevant skills among degree graduates so that they are able to excel in the workplace. Some of the issues and challenges involve bureaucratic procedures, time constraints in developing the program with industry, delay in approval procedures of the program and extra costs highlighted in managing the program with industry. Despite several challenges relating to the implementation of the program, it is important for industry to collaborate with universities in designing relevant curriculum to augment the employability skills of university graduates in Malaysia.
Originality/value
This paper explores different strategies for engaging with industry practitioners so that they are able to work closely with the university in crafting academic curricula in the hospitality and tourism field. This is important because it enhances university graduate employability via a relevant curriculum based on input from the industry.
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Ataul Karim Patwary, S. Mostafa Rasoolimanesh, Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah, Roslizawati Che Aziz, Ahmad Edwin Mohamed, Muhammad Umair Ashraf and Nor Rabiatul Adawiyah Nor Azam
This research examines the role of green, inclusive leadership, corporate social responsibility, and pro-environmental attitudes on proactive pro-environmental behaviour among…
Abstract
Purpose
This research examines the role of green, inclusive leadership, corporate social responsibility, and pro-environmental attitudes on proactive pro-environmental behaviour among hotel employees. It further examines the indirect effects of pro-environmental attitudes between green inclusive leadership, corporate social responsibility, and proactive pro-environmental behaviour, as well as the moderating role of psychological contract breach between pro-environmental attitudes and proactive pro-environmental behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
The participants of this cross-sectional study were employees in the Malaysian hotel industry, and 374 usable questionnaires were used for data analysis. The data were analysed using Partial Least Squares – Structural Equation Modelling.
Findings
This study found that green, inclusive leadership, corporate social responsibility, and pro-environmental attitudes significantly influence proactive pro-environmental behaviour. For mediating effects, pro-environmental attitudes have been found to mediate the relationship between corporate social responsibility, green inclusive leadership and proactive pro-environmental behaviour.
Research limitations/implications
The research proposes actionable measures to encourage environmentally friendly practices in the hotel sector. For companies to succeed, they must integrate green initiatives with their societal objectives. Pro-environmental mindsets are essential for implementing effective environmental policies, which in turn impact recruitment approaches. The advantages of fostering pro-environmental conduct encompass financial savings, enhanced standing, adherence to regulations, increased innovative thinking and improved workplace well-being.
Originality/value
Over time, environmental degradation has been contributed by individual behaviours and the combined actions of businesses and organisations. This study significantly contributed to a new model underpinned by the Self-determination Theory by including new constructs influencing proactive pro-environmental behaviour.
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Ataul Karim Patwary, S. Mostafa Rasoolimanesh, Md Karim Rabiul, Roslizawati Che Aziz and Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah
This study aims to examine the effects of environmental knowledge, perceived environmental responsibility and altruism on tourist’s intention to stay in green hotels. In addition…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effects of environmental knowledge, perceived environmental responsibility and altruism on tourist’s intention to stay in green hotels. In addition, the mediating role played by tourists’ attitudes, including ecocentric and anthropocentric attitudes, is explored.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 393 international tourists in Malaysia. This study followed a cross-sectional approach and applied the partial least squares – structural equation modelling using SmartPLS version 3 software to analyse the data and test the hypotheses.
Findings
The results indicated that environmental knowledge, altruism, environmental responsibility and ecocentric and anthropocentric attitudes positively influence tourists’ intention to stay in green hotels. Ecocentric attitudes mediate environmental knowledge, altruism, environmental responsibility and intention to stay in green hotels. However, environmental knowledge and altruism do not influence anthropocentric attitudes. Likewise, anthropocentric attitudes do not mediate the relationship between environmental knowledge, altruism, perceived environmental responsibility and intention to stay in green hotels.
Research limitations/implications
This study posed several theoretical and practical implications that will benefit future researchers and practitioners while exploring tourists’ behaviour in a green hotel context.
Originality/value
This study makes a unique and significant contribution by including ecocentric and anthropocentric attitudes in a unified model underpinned by the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Value-Basis Theory.
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Kashif Hussain, Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Thienming Tang, Low Chris Kam Loong and Richard Teare
The purpose of this paper is to profile the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes theme issue “The way forward: how is Malaysian hospitality and tourism education working with…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to profile the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes theme issue “The way forward: how is Malaysian hospitality and tourism education working with industry?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editors and writing team.
Design/methodology/approach
Structured questions were used 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
Malaysia’s hospitality and tourism industry is facing an acute shortage of skilled employees, accentuated by the fact that jobs in the industry are not broadly appealing to Malaysians.
Practical implications
The hospitality and tourism industry in Malaysia wants to employ graduates with a professional attitude and mindset, and to secure this objective, a greater focus on work-based learning is needed.
Originality/value
The paper draws on discussion and applied research to explore the hospitality and tourism industry–education collaboration in Malaysia and the ways in which employability and retention can be enhanced by a greater emphasis on work-based learning.