Researcher's Biography
Name: Jennifer Hussey
Position: Postgraduate Research Student
Qualifications:
1. BSc. (Management) awarded by Trinity College, Dublin
2. H.Dip. (Hotel and Catering Management) awarded by D.I.T. Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin.
3. Certificate in Executive Development, awarded by Cornell University in association with Fáilte Ireland.
4. Certificate in Practical Teaching Skills
E-Mail: jhussey@wit.ie
Biography
Jennifer Hussey, following graduation from D.I.T. Cathal Brugha Street, left Ireland to join the Holiday Inn chain’s graduate programme. Jennifer went on to become a major contributor to the development of Holiday Inn Express, a new brand within the chain. Opening her first hotel as General Manager, at the age of 25, Jennifer was involved in the opening of a further four Express hotels. Jennifer was a key decision-maker in all aspects of the brand; from design, promotion and recruitment to everyday operational issues. Following seven years in the U.K., Jennifer returned to the 5-star Radisson SAS St. Helen’s Hotel, before joining the Bewleys Hotels chain to assist in opening their 350-bedroom Leopardstown property. This lead to opportunities for promotion to the General Manager role in Newlands Cross, where Jennifer oversaw the full refurbishment of the 300 bedrooms and the addition of a further 50 rooms. While working for Bewleys, Jennifer participated in Fáilte Ireland’s executive management development programme, which inspired a return to full-time education.
Research Interests
A timely research project to evaluate a similar initiative to the development programme appeared to be an ideal opportunity to exploit Jennifer’s background knowledge of the tourism industry. Hence, her current research is a nationwide evaluation of Fáilte Ireland’s Tourism Learning Networks (TLNs), with the key aim of modelling best-practice. This research combines study of the theories surrounding learning as a concept, the importance of various components in the learning process, for example, developing understanding of the role of other learners in the learning process, as well as consideration of how initiatives should adapt to the characteristics of the participants. Consequently, while Jennifer’s key area of interest lies in individual learning in SMEs, her study includes aspects of networking, knowledge management, group and network learning, in addition to developing understanding of the characteristics of tourism firms and their key personnel. Jennifer has just completed her Masters by research in Business Studies on 'The evaluation of Fáilte Ireland’s Tourism Learning Network (TLN) initiative – Modelling Best Practice.'
Jennifer is now pursuing her PhD, Jennifer's current area of study is in the area of tourism enterprise manager development, with specific regard to professionalisation of the SME owner/manager through the use of a problem-based and blended learning approach. Her study seeks to track changes in the managerial behaviour of participants due to thir involvement in a new BSc in Small Enterprise Management, with a view to informing theory and future education/development practice.
Research Project:
Jennifer’s current research project is:
'An Impact Study on the Professionalisation of Micro/Small Tourism Enterprises through Problem-based Learning'