Hotel management schemes: liminal protean pathways derived from acting as lifeguards in Gulf luxury resorts
International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management
ISSN: 0959-6119
Article publication date: 29 May 2023
Issue publication date: 30 January 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines why individuals start their hospitality careers by becoming temporary lifeguards while aspiring to later promotion. It reports data from young people working in one major upmarket hotel chain that operates in the Gulf but has a global reach. This study aims to address issues regarding this often-overlooked career path for young staff.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative questionnaire was distributed to lifeguards working in a luxury hotel chain in a Gulf country to explore their reasons for working as a lifeguard and their experiences in this role. Data were analysed using QDA Miner and WordStat to generate coherence and similarity indices.
Findings
It is found that the attractions include good training with a well-established company operating in an upmarket location, but other important factors include career prospects, skill enhancement, self-development, monetary savings and experience working in one of the world’s most exciting tourist locations.
Practical implications
The results offer implications for management looking to recruit expatriate labour without considering long-term employment or residence. Nonetheless, while this offers opportunities to assess many potential long-term employees, there are costs to the practice.
Originality/value
Little research has been conducted on lifeguards and how employment in such roles can develop careers in hospitality. The study contributes to understanding motives and career development and conceptually suggests that liminal status complements those drawn to protean career development. The results shed light on how new employees, including management trainees, undertake liminal, protean careers, to care for family, develop their careers and enter markets that may otherwise be difficult to enter.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: The funding was received from the Emirates Academy, UAE, to meet printing costs.
Citation
Dutt, C.S. and Ryan, C. (2024), "Hotel management schemes: liminal protean pathways derived from acting as lifeguards in Gulf luxury resorts", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 36 No. 3, pp. 713-729. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-09-2022-1052
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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