Conflicting vocational identities and careers in the sector of tourism

doi:10.1108/13620430410535832

Login

Welcome:
Guest

Search for:

Browse:

Resources:

Our site has recently been upgraded & the page you requested has moved, so we have redirected you to the new location. Please amend your bookmarks.

Career Development International

ISSN: 1362-0436
Previously published as: International Journal of Career Management
Incorporates: Executive Development

Online from: 1996

Subject Area: Human Resource Management

Content: Latest Issue | Latest Issue RSS | Previous Issues

Options: To add Favourites and Table of Contents Alerts please take a Emerald profile

Conflicting vocational identities and careers in the sector of tourism

Document Information:
Title:	Conflicting vocational identities and careers in the sector of tourism
Author(s):	Fernando Marhuenda, (Universitat de València, València, Spain), Ignacio Martínez, (Universitat de València, València, Spain), Almudena Navas, (Universitat de València, València, Spain)
Citation:	Fernando Marhuenda, Ignacio Martínez, Almudena Navas, (2004) "Conflicting vocational identities and careers in the sector of tourism", Career Development International, Vol. 9 Iss: 3, pp.222 - 244
Keywords:	Career development, Employees attitudes, Europe, Tourism, Vocational training
Article type:	Research paper
DOI:	10.1108/13620430410535832 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Abstract:	This article investigates the formation of vocational identities of workers in the sector of tourism in the Czech Republic, Greece and Spain. Major challenges and conflicts shape the sector of tourism as a particular labour space. Emerging issues relate to the need for diversifying the offer of services to face seasonality, strategies of entrepreneurial merging and demands for mobility and flexibility of the workforce. For the individual worker, a complex combination of related factors lead to tensions and contradictions, particularly in terms of changes in work organization, flexibility and how vocational identities of workers are shaped. An active policy for social dialogue and the improvement of working conditions seem to be vital in order to avoid flexibility becoming a synonym for precariousness of employment. Furthermore, the promotion of continuing training, greater recognition of formal vocational education and the development of an entrepreneurial culture are key elements that would enhance opportunities to develop a professional career in tourism.