Vicarious Experience: A Neglected Source of Career Identity Among Indigenous Hospitality Graduates in Uganda
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education
Abstract
The study investigates measures of vicarious experience and examines the relationship between
vicarious experience and the career identity of Ugandan hospitality graduates. Questionnaires were
administered to indigenous hospitality graduates (n = 248). Phenomenological findings on the
concept of vicarious experience were obtained from 10 respondents. The results showed that
among indigenous hospitality graduates, vicarious experience comprises two factors: professional
functional excellence and social welfare construction experiences. Both factors are significant predictors
of career identity among Ugandan hospitality graduates. When hospitality graduates engage
in observational learning, then their career identity is enhanced. The findings thus suggest observational
learning (vicarious experience) as an alternative route to stimulating a particular form of career
motivation (career identity). Therefore, hotel managers who wish to build career identity may foster an
atmosphere in which vicarious experiences are appreciated and valued by all.
Description
Keywords
Career identity, Functional experience, Hospitality graduates, Social welfare construction, Vicarious experience
Citation
Samson Omuudu Otengei, George Changha, Francis Kasekende & Joseph Mpeera Ntayi (2017) Vicarious Experience: A Neglected Source of Career Identity Among Indigenous Hospitality Graduates in Uganda, Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education, 29:4, 166-178, DOI: 10.1080/10963758.2017.1382364