Using goal-setting theory and expectancy theory to understand career goal implementation in the hospitality industry

Abstract

Internships could influence the career goal-setting of tourism and hospitality students and their intention to stay in the industry, but there is a lack of studies examining these relationships. The purpose of this study was to assess how goal-setting among students in the hospitality education sector affects students' intention to stay in the hospitality industry. A survey instrument underpinned by Goal-setting theory and Vroom's expectancy theory was applied to examine students' goal-setting and implementation intentions prior to and after the internship. The findings confirmed that self-efficacy, goal commitment, feedback mechanism, and situational constraints, severally have predictive effects on the implementation intentions of students. In addition, industry knowledge and valence had predictive effects on implementation intention, but goal commitment and situational constraints did not record significant effects on implementation intentions after the internship. The implications of the study are discussed.