Stakeholders’ perceptions on industrial internship: the case of Botswana Accountancy College’s hospitality management and tourism management programmes

Abstract

Industrial internship is vital for exposing the students to the real-work environment by allowing them an opportunity to learn and gain experience from the industry. This study aimed to evaluate stakeholders’ perceptions on an industrial internship for a higher academic institution’s tourism management and hospitality management programmes, Botswana Accountancy College. A sample of 313 participants comprising of host organisations, tourism and hospitality professional bodies, Botswana Accountancy College (BAC) represented by students, graduates and academic staff in the area of Tourism Management and Hospitality Management responded to the self-administered questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Mixed research methods and approaches were used on this study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used as the data analysis tool. The findings were presented using percentages and figures in descriptive statistical and inferential statistical analysis which included among others ANOVA with post-hoc multiple comparisons using Tukey HSD test analysis, tabular presentations, charts and graphs. The study found out that stakeholders perceived the BAC tourism management and hospitality management programmes’ industrial internship benefited the higher academic institution, students and host organisations. It did not benefit the tourism and hospitality professional bodies as they were not engaged in the internship processes. The stakeholders generally had expectations on the BAC TM and HM industrial internship. However, the stakeholders perceived the BAC TM and HM industrial internship to be not properly administered nor organized based on its duration, supervision, monitoring, planning and administration. The stakeholders perceived that BAC TM and HM industrial internship should be formalized and restructured for it to be effective and beneficial to the stakeholders. There was significant perception difference between level 5 and 6 TM and HM students; level 5 TM and HM students and TM and HM graduates; level 6 TM and HM students and TM and HM graduates towards the administrating and organizing of Botswana Accountancy College tourism management and hospitality management industrial internship. There was also significant perception difference between level 5 and 6 TM and HM students; level 5 TM and HM students and TM and HM graduates towards Botswana Accountancy College tourism management and hospitality management industrial internship benefits. The planning, organisation and management of an industrial internship should be well-organized to ensure that all parties obtain the benefits that should accrue to them. BAC should build relationship and liaise with the tourism and hospitality industry and tourism and hospitality professional bodies. This will assist the College to set standards expected of a graduate in the field. The study did not consider the socio-psychological effects and benefits of industrial internship. Future research could consider the social effects and benefits to TM and HM students of industrial internship by asking how TM and HM students’ industrial internship affects how they relate with family and friends.