Development needs of faculty in foodservice management.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the development needs of foodservice management (FSM) faculty originally prepared in other fields.


METHODS
Application of qualitative research methodologies to description and comparison of the perspective of three groups: faculty themselves, leaders in foodservice industry, and educators in advanced-degree programs.


METHODS
Purposive sampling of organization directories was used to recruit faculty members for two surveys (142 and 62 respondents) and four focus groups; 15 representatives from industry, professional organizations, and education (through an advisory committee); and 11 foodservice administration advanced-degree programs (through survey and study of program catalogs).


METHODS
Faculty competencies needed were compared from the three perspectives.


METHODS
Descriptive statistics plus chi 2 determinations were used to make comparisons.


RESULTS
All three sources identified needs that could be classified into one of three groups: acquisition of theory, mastery of applications, and personal qualities. Theoretical groundwork needed included food science/quantity food production, financial and personnel management, marketing, customer satisfaction, and use of computer and other technologies. Although only 44% of faculty respondents had advanced degrees in FSM, their graduate study in other areas was applicable in meeting many of the competencies. Almost all faculty had some FSM industry experience-a high priority from all perspectives.


CONCLUSIONS
Most faculty were involved in development activities and reported success in acquiring knowledge and application competence. The faculty members' lack of identification with FSM and their feelings of isolation were more problematic.
Parham
E S
ES
School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb 60115, USA.
Benes
B A
BA
D003625:Data Collection; D004046:Dietetics / Q000193:education*; D005178:Faculty / Q000592:standards*; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D011361:Professional Competence; D014481:United States