Microsoft Word 2007 ichrie conference Proceedings Final-Final 06-06-07. doc

Table 1 
Management Style 
Dimension 
Z-value 
Sig.__ 
Team 
decision 
making 
1.279 
0.076 
Goal 
accomplishment* 
1.673 
0.007 
Project 
scheduling* 
1.990 
0.001 
Coaching 
new 
skills* 
1.874 
0.002 
Challenging 
tasks* 2.047 
0.000 
Encourage 
employees* 
2.158 
0.000 
Detail 
orientation* 1.799 
0.003 
Multi-tasking 
1.147 
0.144 
Training 
development 
1.012 
0.258 
Separate personal & business relationships 
1.119 
0.164 
Time 
management* 
1.373 
0.046 
Employee 
mentorship* 
1.543 
0.017 
Project 
management 
0.920 
0.365 
Team 
building* 
2.346 
0.000 
Problem 
solving* 
1.811 
0.003 
Respects 
boundaries* 
1.671 
0.008 
Employee performance improvement* 
1.526
0.019 
Professional 
development* 1.567 
0.015 
* Significant at p<0.05 level
DISCUSSION 
This study was empirical in nature and has provided valuable insight into the profile of Five-Star Five-
Diamond hotel general managers in Taiwan. Education, work experience, and management style were investigated 
and yielded mixed, but interesting results. The results found in this study are useful for current hospitality students 
interested in eventually obtaining promotion to general manager since most GMs had graduated from college and 
many were educated in hospitality management programs. However, general college and graduate education does 
not necessarily result in attaining the GM position faster than those without these credentials. This study’s findings 
did not agree with other studies that considered education levels where GMs with college degrees did advance more 
quickly than those who did not have a college degree (Ladkin, 2000; Gamble & Messenger, 1990). 
Work experience within the hospitality industry was important in preparing GMs for their jobs however the 
type of previous experience was not limited to any one particular department. All respondents attained the GM 
position after no more than seven management positions however this typically took an average of 13 years one year 
more quickly than the Australian GM’s in Ladkins’ (2002) study. 
This research adds to the current body of knowledge through the development of the Career Path Model 
and the trends found in this research are a starting point for aspiring hotel executives to begin planning their careers.

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