Abstract
The age-old higher education concern of graduates’ industry relevancy coupled with the mounting program outcomes emphases of business schools led us to research program exit competencies. Our study determined knowledge and skills that employers most seek when hiring entry-level managers within the business discipline of hospitality management. We compared these results to student perceptions of industry-preferred managerial competencies. T-test, ANOVA, and regression analyses revealed findings suggesting that managers and students have different perceptions regarding entry-level managerial competencies. We discuss research implications, practical suggestions, and future recommendations about identifying the most essential management competencies for graduates to effect curricular changes.
[Display omitted]
