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

METHODOLOGY: POPULATION AND SAMPLE 
Lodging properties in Florida’s Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties constituted the research 
population for this study. Participation was restricted to those properties belonging to one of the three county hotel 
and motel associations and having 100 or more guest rooms. This convenience sample provided a study group of 
lodging executives working in full-service, medium to large staffing environments. Based on data from the three 
associations, 180 lodging properties met our criteria.
Letters from Lynn University and two hotel and motel associations, Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel 
Association, Palm Beach County Hotel & Motel Association that endorsed this study were mailed to respective 
county property GMs. Included with each letter were five survey questionnaires with GM distribution instructions.
The survey instrument design included an introduction script briefing participants on the research purpose and the 
industry-education partnership arrangement between the three counties (Dade, Broward and Palm Beach) and the 
two researchers’ university affiliations (Lynn University and Florida International University). The enclosed 
instructional piece directed GMs to complete one survey and distribute the four remaining questionnaires to property 
directors of human resources, sales & marketing, rooms and food & beverage. Accompanied with each survey 
questionnaire was a pre-addressed, stamped return envelope. 
From the 180 properties that met the study criteria, thirty-three GMs responded, resulting in a response rate 
of 18 percent. In pursuit of higher participation (Johanson and Woods, 1999), a reminder letter was sent to the GMs 
in Dade County, as a test group, which generated no additional responses. As a result, reminder notices were not 
sent to the remaining Broward and Palm Beach counties. A final 119 usable surveys from respondents (GMs and 
directors of human resources, sales & marketing, rooms and food & beverage) were returned.
From the total group of respondents, over 90 percent were associated with full-service properties, many 
being upscale resorts and all-suites. Affiliations were primarily with mid-size properties, employing between 100 
and 500 employees. Over half of the respondents held GM/AGM or director of human resources job titles, with the 
remainder being primarily split among rooms, food & beverage and sales & marketing director titles. A few of these 
individuals had multiple areas of concentration and expertise, but most were tooled in their respective areas of 
responsibilities. The majority of property executives were males (61%), over age 35, with ten or more years of 
industry experience. The number of employees under their direct supervision ranged between five and fifteen, on 

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