AN ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS ON MALE EMPLOYEE IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. A CASE STUDY IN SOME SELECTED HOTELS IN THE HO MUNICIPAL

ABSTRACT

The hospitality industry is one of the fastest growing industries on the globe. The dynamics in the industry worldwide are not the same. A lot of hospitality facilities and outlets are springing out in the Ho metropolis. The present study therefore sought to assess public perception about male workers in the hospitality industry. The objectives of the study were as follows: to identify the perceptions on male workers in the hospitality industry, to examine the factors that influence those perceptions, to find out factors that motivate males to take appointment in the hospitality industry, to compare the responses of the educated and uneducated on the perception on male workers in the hospitality industry and make recommendations for the study. The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of the public on male employees in the Hospitality industry and the things that motivate males to take up jobs in the hospitality industry. The research design employed was both qualitative and quantitative (interview and survey) using semi structured interview guide and questionnaire as the main instruments. The population for the study was all the customers and staff in the hospitality industry in the Ho metropolis. Sample size was 200 and the simple random sampling technique was used. The data was analysed using the soft ware known as Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. The findings on the demographics of the educated respondents showed that 58% were males and 42% females of which most of them were between the ages of 41-50 years. With regards to their educational level 40% of them were Diploma/Higher National Diploma or HND holders followed by 32% of them who either had Senior High School/Technical/Vocational (SHS/TECH/VOC) certificate. Results showed that, males are hard working, their services are needed and that people prefer male chefs to female chefs. It was also revealed that, culture, nature and nurture and educational level influences people’s perceptions on male workers in the hospitality industry. Again, it showed that working environment, passion and orientation at home motivate males to take up jobs in the hospitality industry. The study recommends that there should be a change on the negative perception of people on male workers in the hospitality industry because they are seemed hardworking than their female counterparts and in most cases people prefer male chefs to female ones. There should be career guidance and counselling to encourage more males into the hospitality industry. A good working environment should be created in the hospitality industry and parents should also encourage their male children at home who want to take up employment in the hospitality industry to do so.