Forming a Long‐Term Industry‐University Partnership: The Case of Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Keywords

education, Florida, hospitality, industry, partnership. Tourism, Orlando, universities, United states of America

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on how the University of Central Florida's (UCF's) Rosen College of Hospitality Management (RCHM) has established a long‐term and successful partnership with the hospitality and tourism industry in Central Florida.

Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach was followed and the findings and examples reported in this paper were drawn from official documents and the authors' personal experiences.

Findings – The RCHM, one of the leading hospitality and tourism colleges in the world, has established and maintained successful partnerships with hospitality and tourism organizations in the Central Florida region. Over the years, industry partners have committed significant resources to the RCHM. In return, the RCHM has supported the industry by providing trained students and graduates, along with numerous research and consultancy projects. These successful partnerships were accomplished through mutual trust, an understanding of each other's needs and expectations, and successful collaboration between key industry owners/executives and senior administrators of the RCHM and UCF.

Research limitations/implications – This study implies that the establishment of strong partnerships between hospitality and tourism organizations and hospitality colleges requires college administrators to work closely with industry owners/executives to build mutual trust, personal friendships, and a common understanding of industry needs and expectations. Future studies may investigate similar successful industry‐university partnerships.

Practical implications – This study provides examples on how a hospitality college can form long‐term and successful partnerships with hospitality and tourism organizations.

Originality/value – There are few studies that provide evidence of successful partnerships between hospitality colleges and hospitality and tourism organizations.

Publication Date

6-1-2013

Original Citation

Pizam, A., Okumus, F. and Hutchinson, J. (2013). Forming a Long-Term Industry University Partnership: The Case of Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 5 (3), 244-254.

Number of Pages

244-254

Document Type

Paper

Language

English

Source Title

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes

Volume

5

Issue

3

College

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Location

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

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