The Development of Emotional Labor Skill in Food and Beverage Practical Training

ABSTRACT

It has been established that emotional labor competencies are an asset to competitiveness in the hospitality industry. Although graduates of hospitality training enter the industry with well-developed hard technical skills, their soft skills are often underdeveloped. Soft skills make up a significant portion of emotional labor competencies, a concept inherent in service industries. Consequently, it is beneficial for graduates of food and beverage practical service to possess emotional labor competencies. This study explored how the emotional labor concept presents within a training restaurant environment. A qualitative approach using observation and in-depth semistructured interviews was used. The findings provide interesting insights into how students experience emotional labor while in practical training. It is significant that these findings indicate that the students begin to develop emotional labor competencies in the training restaurant. The study offers practical and relevant implications useful to both training providers and industry professionals. Avenues for future research are also presented.

KEYWORDS:

• Curriculum
• emotional labor
• food and beverage training
• hard skills
• hospitality
• soft skills

Funding

This research was supported by an Edith Cowan University Strategic Research grant awarded by the School of Business and Law.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by an Edith Cowan University Strategic Research grant awarded by the School of Business and Law.