title: Hotel restaurant experiences - a Taiwanese perspective

authors: Tsai, Hsin-Yu Melissa

abstract: This thesis examines hotel dining experiences from a Taiwanese perspective. Current conceptualisation and measurement of customer satisfaction and service quality have been generally developed within an American and European context where socio-demographic variables were used to examine both expectations and perceptions. It is argued that in cultures (e.g. Taiwanese) very different from that of the West, the applicability of current models of service quality is questionable. Therefore, this thesis looks at the customer evaluation of hotel dining within a Chinese cultural framework. 
A mix of qualitative and quantitative methods is utilised to 1) identify characteristics of hotel dining in a hotel complex in Taiwan, 2) determine dimensions of service excellence, 3) analyse perceptual differences between guests, waiting staff and restaurant management, 4) identify factors influencing the evaluation of restaurant services and 5) examine the influence of culture on hotel dining. 
The contribution of this thesis is the development of the customer satisfaction framework in the Taiwanese hospitality setting. The thesis concludes the evaluation of hotel restaurant experiences is operationalised within Chinese cultural norms. The findings also provide implications for developing service strategies for hospitality practitioners, as well as understanding Taiwanese customers' decision making process.

text: Hotel restaurant experiences - a Taiwanese perspective This thesis examines hotel dining experiences from a Taiwanese perspective. Current conceptualisation and measurement of customer satisfaction and service quality have been generally developed within an American and European context where socio-demographic variables were used to examine both expectations and perceptions. It is argued that in cultures (e.g. Taiwanese) very different from that of the West, the applicability of current models of service quality is questionable. Therefore, this thesis looks at the customer evaluation of hotel dining within a Chinese cultural framework. 
A mix of qualitative and quantitative methods is utilised to 1) identify characteristics of hotel dining in a hotel complex in Taiwan, 2) determine dimensions of service excellence, 3) analyse perceptual differences between guests, waiting staff and restaurant management, 4) identify factors influencing the evaluation of restaurant services and 5) examine the influence of culture on hotel dining. 
The contribution of this thesis is the development of the customer satisfaction framework in the Taiwanese hospitality setting. The thesis concludes the evaluation of hotel restaurant experiences is operationalised within Chinese cultural norms. The findings also provide implications for developing service strategies for hospitality practitioners, as well as understanding Taiwanese customers' decision making process.

year: 2004

title: Leisure in the later years

authors: Grant, Bevan C.

subjects: ageing

abstract: It is evident that the changing demographic structure of the population along with the emergence of a consumer culture will have implications with regards to leisure for people in later life. Leisure may afford freedom for self-expression not always available in other life contexts. However, there are a number of challenges at the personal and community level that need to be better understood in order to realise such a possibility. This article highlights some of the opportunities and constraints that impact on and influence the leisure of people in their later years.

text: Leisure in the later years It is evident that the changing demographic structure of the population along with the emergence of a consumer culture will have implications with regards to leisure for people in later life. Leisure may afford freedom for self-expression not always available in other life contexts. However, there are a number of challenges at the personal and community level that need to be better understood in order to realise such a possibility. This article highlights some of the opportunities and constraints that impact on and influence the leisure of people in their later years.

year: 2007

title: Journeys of Māori women in engineering and engineering trades: Navigating challenges and embracing identity

authors: Moridnejad, Maryam

subjects: engineering

abstract: CONTEXT 
This paper reports a study that explores the lived experiences of five Māori women in New Zealand who are engaged in engineering and engineering trades, aiming to inspire more Māori women to join these fields. Through in-depth interviews, three key phases of their lives are examined: upbringing, educational experiences, and professional encounters. The research identifies barriers and strategies these women employed, revealing themes such as identity development, stereotyping, cultural identity, determination, and support.  

PURPOSE OR GOAL
Diversity remains a persistent concern within traditionally male-dominated fields such as engineering and trades. Literature underscores the invaluable contributions of a diverse workforce, including fresh perspectives, insights, and innovative problem-solving approaches. Efforts to enhance diversity in engineering education must address systemic barriers across all levels of education. The aim of this study is to give voice to Māori women in engineers and engineering trades. The study explores participants' career choices, childhood, schooling, tertiary education, and workplace experiences.

APPROACH OR METHODOLOGY/METHODS
The study is underpinned by a feminist poststructuralist conceptual framework, emphasizing that knowledge is constructed rather than discovered, and power relations are shaped within cultural and societal contexts. Data collection involved an initial short questionnaire and two semi-structured interviews. Qualitative inductive analysis was used. Early thematic coding occurred during the analysis of initial questionnaires to identify key themes for the interviews. Interview data were coded inductively by research assistants and cross-checked by the main researchers to find common themes. In a further analysis phase, interview transcripts were loaded into ChatGPT to identify key commonalities, which were compared with researchers’ codes to finalize the themes. These themes framed the discussion and provided a basis for understanding the lived experiences of Māori women in engineering and engineering trades.

ACTUAL OR ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES
The lives and experiences the five Māori women in this study illuminate the unique experiences and challenges faced by indigenous women pursuing careers in engineering and engineering trades. By amplifying their voices, this research highlights their perspectives, celebrates their agency and resilience, and showcases how they assert themselves, overcome challenges, and advocate for gender equality in their professions. Common themes such as identity development, others’ beliefs and attitudes, cultural identity, determination, and support and encouragement frame the discussion, assisting in demystifying societal realities and gaining insight into their social realities. This research aims to empower and make these women visible. The findings highlight the need for timely career guidance in schools, dismantling gender stereotypes early, and integrating Māori culture into workplaces to foster equity and inclusion.

CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS/SUMMARY
Collaborative efforts from educators, researchers, and policymakers are needed to address systemic barriers and create inclusive pathways for indigenous women and other underrepresented groups into engineering. Flexible support services tailored to the diverse needs are essential for facilitating success in these fields. The researchers suggest further research should focus on longitudinal studies tracking the career trajectories of minority groups, exploring how cultural and gender identities influence educational experiences, evaluating the effectiveness of existing support programmes, and examining the role of mentorship and support networks in empowering minority students to succeed in engineering and trades careers.

text: Journeys of Māori women in engineering and engineering trades: Navigating challenges and embracing identity CONTEXT 
This paper reports a study that explores the lived experiences of five Māori women in New Zealand who are engaged in engineering and engineering trades, aiming to inspire more Māori women to join these fields. Through in-depth interviews, three key phases of their lives are examined: upbringing, educational experiences, and professional encounters. The research identifies barriers and strategies these women employed, revealing themes such as identity development, stereotyping, cultural identity, determination, and support.  

PURPOSE OR GOAL
Diversity remains a persistent concern within traditionally male-dominated fields such as engineering and trades. Literature underscores the invaluable contributions of a diverse workforce, including fresh perspectives, insights, and innovative problem-solving approaches. Efforts to enhance diversity in engineering education must address systemic barriers across all levels of education. The aim of this study is to give voice to Māori women in engineers and engineering trades. The study explores participants' career choices, childhood, schooling, tertiary education, and workplace experiences.

APPROACH OR METHODOLOGY/METHODS
The study is underpinned by a feminist poststructuralist conceptual framework, emphasizing that knowledge is constructed rather than discovered, and power relations are shaped within cultural and societal contexts. Data collection involved an initial short questionnaire and two semi-structured interviews. Qualitative inductive analysis was used. Early thematic coding occurred during the analysis of initial questionnaires to identify key themes for the interviews. Interview data were coded inductively by research assistants and cross-checked by the main researchers to find common themes. In a further analysis phase, interview transcripts were loaded into ChatGPT to identify key commonalities, which were compared with researchers’ codes to finalize the themes. These themes framed the discussion and provided a basis for understanding the lived experiences of Māori women in engineering and engineering trades.

ACTUAL OR ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES
The lives and experiences the five Māori women in this study illuminate the unique experiences and challenges faced by indigenous women pursuing careers in engineering and engineering trades. By amplifying their voices, this research highlights their perspectives, celebrates their agency and resilience, and showcases how they assert themselves, overcome challenges, and advocate for gender equality in their professions. Common themes such as identity development, others’ beliefs and attitudes, cultural identity, determination, and support and encouragement frame the discussion, assisting in demystifying societal realities and gaining insight into their social realities. This research aims to empower and make these women visible. The findings highlight the need for timely career guidance in schools, dismantling gender stereotypes early, and integrating Māori culture into workplaces to foster equity and inclusion.

CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS/SUMMARY
Collaborative efforts from educators, researchers, and policymakers are needed to address systemic barriers and create inclusive pathways for indigenous women and other underrepresented groups into engineering. Flexible support services tailored to the diverse needs are essential for facilitating success in these fields. The researchers suggest further research should focus on longitudinal studies tracking the career trajectories of minority groups, exploring how cultural and gender identities influence educational experiences, evaluating the effectiveness of existing support programmes, and examining the role of mentorship and support networks in empowering minority students to succeed in engineering and trades careers.

year: 2024