Eirini Daskalaki | Metropolitan College (original) (raw)
Books by Eirini Daskalaki
IGI GLOBAL, 2022
The hotel industry has always been seen as vibrant, glamorous, and profitable. However, the novel... more The hotel industry has always been seen as vibrant, glamorous, and profitable. However, the novelty of working in the hotel industry is wearing off due to the demands and expectations from both the management and customers. The pressure to deliver high quality services and the expense to maintain the status quo in a hotel have become problematic. Employees are experiencing a wide range of issues including work related stress. Occupational stress as commonly known is one of the contributory factors connected to poor health, psychological and mental well-being. Using a qualitative data approach from 3-4-5-star hotels in Cyprus and the United Kingdom, the supervisors' pleasant demeanour shadowed by social, physical, and psychological issues is unveiled. By also unraveling occupational stress through the lenses of supervisors in the hotel industry, this study will help the hotel management to take appropriate action to address the occupational stress amongst employees which is a huge issue in the sector.
Palgrave Macmillan
This book is a collection of interesting cases on immigrant, migrant and refugee entrepreneurship... more This book is a collection of interesting cases on immigrant, migrant and refugee entrepreneurship in different contexts and from different angles. It provides an understanding of migration in entrepreneurship as a creation of a distinctive labour market that contributes to innovation and economic growth (Kloosterman et al., 2016). Migration as a socioeconomic phenomenon has accelerated economic development and has improved the quality of life of citizens (Acosta et al., 2007; Adams 2006; Taylor et al., 2005) the competences, skillset and knowledge of labour force, with highly trained and skilled professionals who have created all those favourable conditions to encourage human capital investments (Stark & Wang, 2002). There has been an increasing interest in understanding the human migration, migrant entrepreneurship and the key migration drivers (Vershimina et al., 2021). Current research (Bates & Robb, 2014) highlights that immigrant entrepreneurs have diversified the scope of their activities and their businesses cater for the needs of a larger scale expanding outside of the ethnic status that they are affiliated with (Van-Sheers, 2010). Creativity, innovation and risk are integrated elements in an entrepreneurial action.
Papers by Eirini Daskalaki
IGI Global eBooks, Jun 24, 2022
The hotel industry has always been seen as vibrant, glamorous, and profitable. However, the novel... more The hotel industry has always been seen as vibrant, glamorous, and profitable. However, the novelty of working in the hotel industry is wearing off due to the demands and expectations from both the management and customers. The pressure to deliver high quality services and the expense to maintain the status quo in a hotel have become problematic. Employees are experiencing a wide range of issues including work related stress. Occupational stress as commonly known is one of the contributory factors connected to poor health, psychological and mental well-being. Using a qualitative data approach from 3-4-5-star hotels in Cyprus and the United Kingdom, the supervisors' pleasant demeanour shadowed by social, physical, and psychological issues is unveiled. By also unraveling occupational stress through the lenses of supervisors in the hotel industry, this study will help the hotel management to take appropriate action to address the occupational stress amongst employees which is a huge issue in the sector.
Springer International Publishing eBooks, 2022
The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM), 2021
The outbreak of COVID-19 has changed the operational systems in the hospitality industry worldwid... more The outbreak of COVID-19 has changed the operational systems in the hospitality industry worldwide. This has had an impact on economic, social as well cultural aspects of the industry. Governments have attempted to support the sustainability of the industry with a view to keeping the economy growth. This has prompted the industry to adjust their systems in order to respond to the economic challenges. There have been subsidies rendered to the hospitality sector. However, the environment in which such sectors are operating is still uncertain. Measures have been put in place to ensure that such dilemmas can be improved in the future. Despite this, the hospitality industry is still experiencing long-term economic damages caused by the pandemic. Through the utilization of the qualitative approach 15 hotels ranging from three to five stars were examined. Hotel managers and supervisors in Cyprus played an important role in the research. This study explores the specific plans of selected hotel management teams that have been incorporated since the onset of the pandemic. The findings suggest that some hotels have adjusted their operations so as to handle the situation with the optimum outcomes. It further notices that the flight restrictions, the change of mind by customers, uncertainty of arriving and not being able to stay longer added to existing problems. This study acknowledges the challenges hotels have experienced since the pandemic and it will highlight the specific skillset required from hotel management staff as to how to keep the business running after COVID-19. It concludes that due to post COVID-19 hotels will continue to experience financial issues which will impact on the future hotel growth. Hence the retraining and development as a preparation for post COVID-19 is imminent.
Special Issue 1-Dec2019, 2019
Culture is produced, shaped and transmitted through intergroup relations provoked by communicatio... more Culture is produced, shaped and transmitted through intergroup relations provoked by communication. In this paper it is examined the cultural communication alternations in a popular culture. More particularly, taking the case of dance practice in Corsica, it is described the actual dance situation. The purpose of this paper is to propose communication modules to avoid a possible cultural loss. This qualitative study is based on field research, in-depth interviews and observation. The lead researcher had the opportunity to observe the dance condition in Corsica, during the five (5) years that she lived on this island (2003-2007), exchanging and communicating with dance associations and other cultural organisations. Dance activity in Corsica today is considered a limited practice, as dance associations are the only places where it is experienced. This study identified an intergroup relation difficulty among the different dance associations. Some of the actions proposed in this study in order to improve communication and consequently improve the actual situation of insufficient dance transmission and practice is to follow common rules, propose a specific agenda with dance events, invite younger people to dance, achieve members' identification by creating intercultural groups, mixing the teams with regard to nationality and promote cultural education and research.
Since its foundation in 2017, the Cultures Conference has acted as a learning platform for academ... more Since its foundation in 2017, the Cultures Conference has acted as a learning platform for academic and educational institutions, research centres, institutes, organisations and industry, enabling presentation, discussion and educationon key issues, trends and recent developments in the social sciences, humanities, arts, education, business and management fields. Scholars, researchers, practitioners, consultants, trainers, professionals and policy makers from across the world are invited to share their expertise, research results, new ideas, solutions and valuable experience. The conference is an opportunity for attendees to establish academic and business relations and find global partners for future collaboration. CTICDS 2022 encourages interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research, and theoretical and empirical papers!
In a professional and business-social context such as that of global hotel brands in the United K... more In a professional and business-social context such as that of global hotel brands in the United Kingdom, intercultural communication, contacts and relationships are found at the heart of daily operations and of customer service. A large part of the clientele base of hotels in the United Kingdom is formed by individuals who belong to different cultural groups that travel in the country either for leisure or business. At the same time, the global workforce which is recruited in the hotel industry in the United Kingdom is a reality here to stay. Global travelling and labor work mobility are phenomena which have been generated by changes which occur on a socio-economic, cultural and political level due to the phenomenon of globalization. The hotel industry is therefore well acquainted with the essence of different cultures either to be accommodated within hotel premises, as in the case of external customers, or of diversity management where different cultures are recruited in the hotel ...
Young SIETAR, 2018
In 2017, Young SIETAR (YS) brought out the fifth edition of Training of Intercultural Trainers (T... more In 2017, Young SIETAR (YS) brought out the fifth edition of Training of Intercultural Trainers (TOIT). TOIT 2017 took place in el Masnou (Catalonia, Spain) from September 28 to October 1, 2017. The training was accompanied by the effectiveness study described in this report. The objective of the effectiveness study was to analyze ways in
which the participants benefited from the train-the-trainer event. Two previous TOIT effectiveness studies were carried out in 2014 and 2016 for previous editions of TOIT. The present research is inspired by the design and content of the previous studies (TOIT 2014 Effectiveness Study, 2014; Simeonova and Chernyak, 2016, p. 479). Routinely, the training effectiveness was evaluated by means of a survey. However, this
year, the effectiveness study included a qualitative part in the form of interviews with the training participants performed via VoIP, (Voice over Internet Protocol) Skype. Introduction of this qualitative methodology into the evaluation procedure of TOIT helped to explain the results gained by means of traditionally used YS quantitative methods, such as surveys. In general, the use of mixed methods allows more complete
understanding of the training results.
The Market: Journal of International Business , 2020
Daskalaki, E. 2020. Cultural diversity and indicated intercultural implications in the hotel work... more Daskalaki, E. 2020. Cultural diversity and indicated intercultural implications in the hotel working environment in the United Kingdom: Underpinning the employee's perspective. The Market Journal of International Business, 1(1), pp. 91-107. Abstract Purpose-The study aims to investigate the presence of cultural diversity in selected global hotel brands in the United Kingdom, as well as the contribution of cultural diversity and how it impacts the operation of hotels. The presence of intercultural service encounters is discussed, alongside the intercultural characteristics of the hotel industry, finding that intercultural elements are more than well-established for internal affairs and internal and external customers of hotels. Methodology-A combination of data collection instruments and analysis approaches has been used involving semi-structured interviews with hotel management staff from different cultures and public space observations during check in and check out in the reception area and during dining at the café-bar and restaurant. Thematic analysis has been applied to interviews, public space observations and job advertisements using interpretive (hermeneutic) phenomenology. Findings-A global workforce in selected global hotels is seen as a competitive advantage under diversity management practices and contributes to overcoming intercultural challenges. Both British and non-British hotel staff acknowledge that provision of training and language support from their organisations would enhance their intercultural understanding and awareness. Although cultural diversity is highly valued, the participating hotels have not connected this value with the expansion of the intercultural skills of hotel staff in terms of learning and development and managing diversity adequately. Research limitations-The study has a normative character. Some of the arguments and interpretations should be established more firmly with cross-cultural research and examination of the international customer's viewpoint.
The Market: International Journal of Business, 2020
Abstract Purpose – The study aims to investigate the presence of cultural diversity in selected g... more Abstract
Purpose – The study aims to investigate the presence of cultural diversity in selected global hotel brands in the United Kingdom, as well as the contribution of cultural diversity and how it impacts the operation of hotels. The presence of intercultural service encounters is discussed, alongside the intercultural characteristics of the hotel industry, finding that intercultural elements are more than well-established for internal affairs and internal and external customers of hotels.
Methodology – A combination of data collection instruments and analysis approaches has been used involving semi-structured interviews with hotel management staff from different cultures and public space observations during check in and check out in the reception area and during dining at the café-bar and restaurant. Thematic analysis has been applied to interviews, public space observations and job advertisements using interpretive (hermeneutic) phenomenology.
Findings – A global workforce in selected global hotels is seen as a competitive advantage under diversity management practices and contributes to overcoming intercultural challenges. Both British and non-British hotel staff acknowledge that provision of training and language support from their organisations would enhance their intercultural understanding and awareness. Although cultural diversity is highly valued, the participating hotels have not connected this value with the expansion of the intercultural skills of hotel staff in terms of learning and development and managing diversity adequately.
Research limitations – The study has a normative character. Some of the arguments and interpretations should be established more firmly with cross-cultural research and examination of the international customer’s viewpoint.
Practical implications – Equipping and expanding the skills of hotel staff with the appropriate learning and development opportunities should be seen as part of managing diversity in global hotel brands because of changes occurring in the global market and the industry.
Originality/value – This study provides a framework for intercultural communication and intercultural affairs in the hotel sector. It fills a research gap in the United Kingdom by analysing hotel staff viewpoints on intercultural service encounters.
Keywords – Cultural Diversity, Intercultural Communication, Managing Diversity, Intercultural Service Encounters, Hotels, Skills
Paper type – Research paper
Acknowledgments – The data for this paper comes from the author’s PhD dissertation (Daskalaki, 2016).
Culture is produced, shaped and transmitted through intergroup relations provoked by communicatio... more Culture is produced, shaped and transmitted through intergroup relations provoked by communication. In this paper it is examined the cultural communication alternations in a popular culture. More particularly, taking the case of dance practice in Corsica, it is described the actual dance situation. The purpose of this paper is to propose communication modules to avoid a possible cultural loss. This qualitative study is based on field research, in-depth interviews and observation. The lead researcher had the opportunity to observe the dance condition in Corsica, during the five (5) years that she lived on this island (2003 -2007), exchanging and communicating with dance associations and other cultural organisations. Dance activity in Corsica today is considered a limited practice, as dance associations are the only places where it is experienced. This study identified an intergroup relation difficulty among the different dance associations. Some of the actions proposed in this study in order to improve communication and consequently improve the actual situation of insufficient dance transmission and practice is to follow common rules, propose a specific agenda with dance events, invite younger people to dance, achieve members' identification by creating intercultural groups, mixing the teams with regard to nationality and promote cultural education and research. 54 and capacities which enrich communities, used as a bridge builder and carrier of good relations for social and economic exchange (Bekemans, 2013:171).
Conference Presentations by Eirini Daskalaki
3RD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMMUNICATION ACROSS CULTURES: REVISITING MULTICULTURALISM AND INTERDISCIPLINARITY IN TODAY’S ACADEMIC COMMUNICATION, 2018
‘Multicultural societies throw up problems that have no parallel in history. They need to find wa... more ‘Multicultural societies throw up problems that have no parallel in history. They need to find ways of reconciling the legitimate demands of unity and diversity, achieving political unity without cultural uniformity, being inclusive without being assimilationist, cultivating among
their citizens a common sense of belonging while respecting their legitimate cultural differences, and cherishing plural cultural identities without weakening the shared and precious identity of shared citizenship’ (Parekh, 2005, p. 343). Nowadays not only in daily life
but also in professional life, more and more teams are becoming diverse and interaction with people who belong to different cultural groups has risen dramatically. Numerous researchers have concluded that, ‘ability to work in a multicultural ambience and valuing diversity’ is an important competence in a multicultural society and suggested developing
this intercultural competence by means of educational initiatives (Gifford et al., 2008, p. 10). This presentation will put forward how Young SIETAR (YS) is associated with this type of educational initiative. In 2017, YS brought out the fifth edition of Training of Intercultural
Trainers (TOIT), which is an example of such an educational initiative aiming to raise a new generation of young intercultural trainers able not only to value cultural diversity but also to commit themselves towards those core values which describe not only multiculturalism but also interculturalism. For the TOIT effectiveness study, a mixed methods approach was applied as it involved the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data using two types of data collection instrument (surveys and Skype for qualitative research interviews). TOIT 2017 was aimed at newcomers to the intercultural field as well as
experienced intercultural practitioners from all over the world. This presentation will analyse the results and the impact of TOIT on participants alongside discussion of further improvement.
IGI GLOBAL, 2022
The hotel industry has always been seen as vibrant, glamorous, and profitable. However, the novel... more The hotel industry has always been seen as vibrant, glamorous, and profitable. However, the novelty of working in the hotel industry is wearing off due to the demands and expectations from both the management and customers. The pressure to deliver high quality services and the expense to maintain the status quo in a hotel have become problematic. Employees are experiencing a wide range of issues including work related stress. Occupational stress as commonly known is one of the contributory factors connected to poor health, psychological and mental well-being. Using a qualitative data approach from 3-4-5-star hotels in Cyprus and the United Kingdom, the supervisors' pleasant demeanour shadowed by social, physical, and psychological issues is unveiled. By also unraveling occupational stress through the lenses of supervisors in the hotel industry, this study will help the hotel management to take appropriate action to address the occupational stress amongst employees which is a huge issue in the sector.
Palgrave Macmillan
This book is a collection of interesting cases on immigrant, migrant and refugee entrepreneurship... more This book is a collection of interesting cases on immigrant, migrant and refugee entrepreneurship in different contexts and from different angles. It provides an understanding of migration in entrepreneurship as a creation of a distinctive labour market that contributes to innovation and economic growth (Kloosterman et al., 2016). Migration as a socioeconomic phenomenon has accelerated economic development and has improved the quality of life of citizens (Acosta et al., 2007; Adams 2006; Taylor et al., 2005) the competences, skillset and knowledge of labour force, with highly trained and skilled professionals who have created all those favourable conditions to encourage human capital investments (Stark & Wang, 2002). There has been an increasing interest in understanding the human migration, migrant entrepreneurship and the key migration drivers (Vershimina et al., 2021). Current research (Bates & Robb, 2014) highlights that immigrant entrepreneurs have diversified the scope of their activities and their businesses cater for the needs of a larger scale expanding outside of the ethnic status that they are affiliated with (Van-Sheers, 2010). Creativity, innovation and risk are integrated elements in an entrepreneurial action.
IGI Global eBooks, Jun 24, 2022
The hotel industry has always been seen as vibrant, glamorous, and profitable. However, the novel... more The hotel industry has always been seen as vibrant, glamorous, and profitable. However, the novelty of working in the hotel industry is wearing off due to the demands and expectations from both the management and customers. The pressure to deliver high quality services and the expense to maintain the status quo in a hotel have become problematic. Employees are experiencing a wide range of issues including work related stress. Occupational stress as commonly known is one of the contributory factors connected to poor health, psychological and mental well-being. Using a qualitative data approach from 3-4-5-star hotels in Cyprus and the United Kingdom, the supervisors' pleasant demeanour shadowed by social, physical, and psychological issues is unveiled. By also unraveling occupational stress through the lenses of supervisors in the hotel industry, this study will help the hotel management to take appropriate action to address the occupational stress amongst employees which is a huge issue in the sector.
Springer International Publishing eBooks, 2022
The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM), 2021
The outbreak of COVID-19 has changed the operational systems in the hospitality industry worldwid... more The outbreak of COVID-19 has changed the operational systems in the hospitality industry worldwide. This has had an impact on economic, social as well cultural aspects of the industry. Governments have attempted to support the sustainability of the industry with a view to keeping the economy growth. This has prompted the industry to adjust their systems in order to respond to the economic challenges. There have been subsidies rendered to the hospitality sector. However, the environment in which such sectors are operating is still uncertain. Measures have been put in place to ensure that such dilemmas can be improved in the future. Despite this, the hospitality industry is still experiencing long-term economic damages caused by the pandemic. Through the utilization of the qualitative approach 15 hotels ranging from three to five stars were examined. Hotel managers and supervisors in Cyprus played an important role in the research. This study explores the specific plans of selected hotel management teams that have been incorporated since the onset of the pandemic. The findings suggest that some hotels have adjusted their operations so as to handle the situation with the optimum outcomes. It further notices that the flight restrictions, the change of mind by customers, uncertainty of arriving and not being able to stay longer added to existing problems. This study acknowledges the challenges hotels have experienced since the pandemic and it will highlight the specific skillset required from hotel management staff as to how to keep the business running after COVID-19. It concludes that due to post COVID-19 hotels will continue to experience financial issues which will impact on the future hotel growth. Hence the retraining and development as a preparation for post COVID-19 is imminent.
Special Issue 1-Dec2019, 2019
Culture is produced, shaped and transmitted through intergroup relations provoked by communicatio... more Culture is produced, shaped and transmitted through intergroup relations provoked by communication. In this paper it is examined the cultural communication alternations in a popular culture. More particularly, taking the case of dance practice in Corsica, it is described the actual dance situation. The purpose of this paper is to propose communication modules to avoid a possible cultural loss. This qualitative study is based on field research, in-depth interviews and observation. The lead researcher had the opportunity to observe the dance condition in Corsica, during the five (5) years that she lived on this island (2003-2007), exchanging and communicating with dance associations and other cultural organisations. Dance activity in Corsica today is considered a limited practice, as dance associations are the only places where it is experienced. This study identified an intergroup relation difficulty among the different dance associations. Some of the actions proposed in this study in order to improve communication and consequently improve the actual situation of insufficient dance transmission and practice is to follow common rules, propose a specific agenda with dance events, invite younger people to dance, achieve members' identification by creating intercultural groups, mixing the teams with regard to nationality and promote cultural education and research.
Since its foundation in 2017, the Cultures Conference has acted as a learning platform for academ... more Since its foundation in 2017, the Cultures Conference has acted as a learning platform for academic and educational institutions, research centres, institutes, organisations and industry, enabling presentation, discussion and educationon key issues, trends and recent developments in the social sciences, humanities, arts, education, business and management fields. Scholars, researchers, practitioners, consultants, trainers, professionals and policy makers from across the world are invited to share their expertise, research results, new ideas, solutions and valuable experience. The conference is an opportunity for attendees to establish academic and business relations and find global partners for future collaboration. CTICDS 2022 encourages interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research, and theoretical and empirical papers!
In a professional and business-social context such as that of global hotel brands in the United K... more In a professional and business-social context such as that of global hotel brands in the United Kingdom, intercultural communication, contacts and relationships are found at the heart of daily operations and of customer service. A large part of the clientele base of hotels in the United Kingdom is formed by individuals who belong to different cultural groups that travel in the country either for leisure or business. At the same time, the global workforce which is recruited in the hotel industry in the United Kingdom is a reality here to stay. Global travelling and labor work mobility are phenomena which have been generated by changes which occur on a socio-economic, cultural and political level due to the phenomenon of globalization. The hotel industry is therefore well acquainted with the essence of different cultures either to be accommodated within hotel premises, as in the case of external customers, or of diversity management where different cultures are recruited in the hotel ...
Young SIETAR, 2018
In 2017, Young SIETAR (YS) brought out the fifth edition of Training of Intercultural Trainers (T... more In 2017, Young SIETAR (YS) brought out the fifth edition of Training of Intercultural Trainers (TOIT). TOIT 2017 took place in el Masnou (Catalonia, Spain) from September 28 to October 1, 2017. The training was accompanied by the effectiveness study described in this report. The objective of the effectiveness study was to analyze ways in
which the participants benefited from the train-the-trainer event. Two previous TOIT effectiveness studies were carried out in 2014 and 2016 for previous editions of TOIT. The present research is inspired by the design and content of the previous studies (TOIT 2014 Effectiveness Study, 2014; Simeonova and Chernyak, 2016, p. 479). Routinely, the training effectiveness was evaluated by means of a survey. However, this
year, the effectiveness study included a qualitative part in the form of interviews with the training participants performed via VoIP, (Voice over Internet Protocol) Skype. Introduction of this qualitative methodology into the evaluation procedure of TOIT helped to explain the results gained by means of traditionally used YS quantitative methods, such as surveys. In general, the use of mixed methods allows more complete
understanding of the training results.
The Market: Journal of International Business , 2020
Daskalaki, E. 2020. Cultural diversity and indicated intercultural implications in the hotel work... more Daskalaki, E. 2020. Cultural diversity and indicated intercultural implications in the hotel working environment in the United Kingdom: Underpinning the employee's perspective. The Market Journal of International Business, 1(1), pp. 91-107. Abstract Purpose-The study aims to investigate the presence of cultural diversity in selected global hotel brands in the United Kingdom, as well as the contribution of cultural diversity and how it impacts the operation of hotels. The presence of intercultural service encounters is discussed, alongside the intercultural characteristics of the hotel industry, finding that intercultural elements are more than well-established for internal affairs and internal and external customers of hotels. Methodology-A combination of data collection instruments and analysis approaches has been used involving semi-structured interviews with hotel management staff from different cultures and public space observations during check in and check out in the reception area and during dining at the café-bar and restaurant. Thematic analysis has been applied to interviews, public space observations and job advertisements using interpretive (hermeneutic) phenomenology. Findings-A global workforce in selected global hotels is seen as a competitive advantage under diversity management practices and contributes to overcoming intercultural challenges. Both British and non-British hotel staff acknowledge that provision of training and language support from their organisations would enhance their intercultural understanding and awareness. Although cultural diversity is highly valued, the participating hotels have not connected this value with the expansion of the intercultural skills of hotel staff in terms of learning and development and managing diversity adequately. Research limitations-The study has a normative character. Some of the arguments and interpretations should be established more firmly with cross-cultural research and examination of the international customer's viewpoint.
The Market: International Journal of Business, 2020
Abstract Purpose – The study aims to investigate the presence of cultural diversity in selected g... more Abstract
Purpose – The study aims to investigate the presence of cultural diversity in selected global hotel brands in the United Kingdom, as well as the contribution of cultural diversity and how it impacts the operation of hotels. The presence of intercultural service encounters is discussed, alongside the intercultural characteristics of the hotel industry, finding that intercultural elements are more than well-established for internal affairs and internal and external customers of hotels.
Methodology – A combination of data collection instruments and analysis approaches has been used involving semi-structured interviews with hotel management staff from different cultures and public space observations during check in and check out in the reception area and during dining at the café-bar and restaurant. Thematic analysis has been applied to interviews, public space observations and job advertisements using interpretive (hermeneutic) phenomenology.
Findings – A global workforce in selected global hotels is seen as a competitive advantage under diversity management practices and contributes to overcoming intercultural challenges. Both British and non-British hotel staff acknowledge that provision of training and language support from their organisations would enhance their intercultural understanding and awareness. Although cultural diversity is highly valued, the participating hotels have not connected this value with the expansion of the intercultural skills of hotel staff in terms of learning and development and managing diversity adequately.
Research limitations – The study has a normative character. Some of the arguments and interpretations should be established more firmly with cross-cultural research and examination of the international customer’s viewpoint.
Practical implications – Equipping and expanding the skills of hotel staff with the appropriate learning and development opportunities should be seen as part of managing diversity in global hotel brands because of changes occurring in the global market and the industry.
Originality/value – This study provides a framework for intercultural communication and intercultural affairs in the hotel sector. It fills a research gap in the United Kingdom by analysing hotel staff viewpoints on intercultural service encounters.
Keywords – Cultural Diversity, Intercultural Communication, Managing Diversity, Intercultural Service Encounters, Hotels, Skills
Paper type – Research paper
Acknowledgments – The data for this paper comes from the author’s PhD dissertation (Daskalaki, 2016).
Culture is produced, shaped and transmitted through intergroup relations provoked by communicatio... more Culture is produced, shaped and transmitted through intergroup relations provoked by communication. In this paper it is examined the cultural communication alternations in a popular culture. More particularly, taking the case of dance practice in Corsica, it is described the actual dance situation. The purpose of this paper is to propose communication modules to avoid a possible cultural loss. This qualitative study is based on field research, in-depth interviews and observation. The lead researcher had the opportunity to observe the dance condition in Corsica, during the five (5) years that she lived on this island (2003 -2007), exchanging and communicating with dance associations and other cultural organisations. Dance activity in Corsica today is considered a limited practice, as dance associations are the only places where it is experienced. This study identified an intergroup relation difficulty among the different dance associations. Some of the actions proposed in this study in order to improve communication and consequently improve the actual situation of insufficient dance transmission and practice is to follow common rules, propose a specific agenda with dance events, invite younger people to dance, achieve members' identification by creating intercultural groups, mixing the teams with regard to nationality and promote cultural education and research. 54 and capacities which enrich communities, used as a bridge builder and carrier of good relations for social and economic exchange (Bekemans, 2013:171).
3RD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMMUNICATION ACROSS CULTURES: REVISITING MULTICULTURALISM AND INTERDISCIPLINARITY IN TODAY’S ACADEMIC COMMUNICATION, 2018
‘Multicultural societies throw up problems that have no parallel in history. They need to find wa... more ‘Multicultural societies throw up problems that have no parallel in history. They need to find ways of reconciling the legitimate demands of unity and diversity, achieving political unity without cultural uniformity, being inclusive without being assimilationist, cultivating among
their citizens a common sense of belonging while respecting their legitimate cultural differences, and cherishing plural cultural identities without weakening the shared and precious identity of shared citizenship’ (Parekh, 2005, p. 343). Nowadays not only in daily life
but also in professional life, more and more teams are becoming diverse and interaction with people who belong to different cultural groups has risen dramatically. Numerous researchers have concluded that, ‘ability to work in a multicultural ambience and valuing diversity’ is an important competence in a multicultural society and suggested developing
this intercultural competence by means of educational initiatives (Gifford et al., 2008, p. 10). This presentation will put forward how Young SIETAR (YS) is associated with this type of educational initiative. In 2017, YS brought out the fifth edition of Training of Intercultural
Trainers (TOIT), which is an example of such an educational initiative aiming to raise a new generation of young intercultural trainers able not only to value cultural diversity but also to commit themselves towards those core values which describe not only multiculturalism but also interculturalism. For the TOIT effectiveness study, a mixed methods approach was applied as it involved the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data using two types of data collection instrument (surveys and Skype for qualitative research interviews). TOIT 2017 was aimed at newcomers to the intercultural field as well as
experienced intercultural practitioners from all over the world. This presentation will analyse the results and the impact of TOIT on participants alongside discussion of further improvement.