Title:
Hospitality Curricula Strategies and Acquisition of Industry Skills Among Graduate Employees: Exploring the Moderating Role of Perceived Obstacles in Kenya

Authors:
Lynette Nyagaya, Rosemarie Khayiya, Alex Kivuva, Kenya

Abstract:

This research aimed to investigate the impact of implemented techniques in undergraduate hospitality curricula on the acquisition of industry-specific skills among graduate employees in the hospitality sector. Additionally, it attempted to examine how perceived obstacles affect this relationship. A total of 168 surveys were obtained from a sample of 185 graduate employees in the hospitality industry, specifically those working in four- and five-star-rated hotels located in the counties of Mombasa, Kilifi, and Nairobi City. The findings indicated that hospitality graduates had a pessimistic view of the effectiveness of strategies used by hospitality educators while delivering hospitality curricula. The findings suggest a negative correlation between the implementation of hospitality undergraduate curriculum techniques and the acquisition of industry-specific skills. Moreover, it was discovered that perceived obstacles in the curriculum had a moderating effect on the relationship mentioned above. This finding implies that hospitality graduate workers who faced more barriers in their educational pursuits were less likely to develop the essential competencies needed for successful employment in the hospitality sector. Hospitality educators are recommended to enhance their curriculum by focusing on effective teaching methods and addressing the challenges associated with implementing hospitality curricula. This action will help students better prepare for a career in the hospitality sector.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijaemr.2025.1304