Developing a Sustainable Hospitality Education Program to Enhance Critical Thinking for University Students in China

Abstract

This study addresses the pressing need to integrate sustainability and critical thinking into hospitality education in China, given the rapid expansion of the industry and the growing demand for professionals who are not only well-versed in traditional management practices but also capable of innovative and responsible decision-making. The research aims to develop and implement a Sustainable Hospitality Education (SHE) program designed to enhance critical thinking skills among university students in China, thereby equipping them to meet the challenges of the modern hospitality industry.

The study is structured around three key research questions: 1)What is the current state of Sustainable Hospitality Education in China? 2)What components of a Sustainable Hospitality Education program can enhance critical thinking for Beijing Hospitality Institute students in China? 3)How effective is the implementation of the developed Sustainable Hospitality Education program in enhancing Beijing Hospitality Institute students' critical thinking skills? Correspondingly, the research objectives are: 1)To evaluate the present status of Sustainable Hospitality Education in China. 2)To design a Sustainable Hospitality Education program aimed at enhancing critical thinking skills among Beijing Hospitality Institute students in China. 3)To execute and assess the implementation of the developed Sustainable Hospitality Education program for Beijing Hospitality Institute students in China.

The research was conducted in three phases: Phase I Basic Information Study. This phase evaluated the current status of Sustainable Hospitality Education in China through a systematic literature review, a questionnaire survey administered to 314 university students to assess their perspectives on SHE, and semi-structured interviews with 16 hospitality teachers to explore their perceptions. The data collected provided a theoretical framework and insights into students' understanding of sustainability and the importance they place on these issues in their daily lives; Phase II: Program Development. Building on the findings from Phase I, a draft framework for the SHE program was developed with the aim of enhancing critical thinking skills. This draft was evaluated by 7 field experts using content analysis and statistical methods, such as mean and standard deviation, to refine and optimize the program based on expert feedback; Phase III: Program Implementation. In the final phase, the developed SHE program was implemented among 36 junior students enrolled in the International Course in Hotel Management at Beijing Hospitality Institute. The impact of the program on students' critical thinking skills was assessed using the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory in a quasi-experimental design, with a dependent sample T-test used to evaluate the results.

The implementation of the SHE program led to significant improvements in students' critical thinking skills, particularly in areas such as truth-seeking, systematicity, and critical thinking self-confidence. The mean scores in these areas showed substantial increases from pre-test to post-test, with statistical significance (p < .05 for critical thinking self-confidence and p < .01 for truth-seeking and systematicity). These findings suggest that the SHE program effectively promotes a systematic approach to problem-solving and a strong commitment to truth-seeking, while also enhancing students' confidence in their critical thinking abilities. However, other dimensions such as open-mindedness, analyticity, inquisitiveness, and maturity of judgment, although showing positive trends, did not reach statistical significance. This indicates potential areas for further development as the program continues to evolve. Feedback from students and educators emphasizes the need for a more practical and industry-aligned curriculum, with a focus on real-world applications and interdisciplinary approaches. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on sustainability education, particularly within the hospitality industry, by providing empirical evidence of the positive relationship between SHE programs and the enhancement of critical thinking skills. The results highlight the importance of integrating sustainability into university curricula, not only to foster critical thinking but also to prepare students for leadership roles in promoting sustainable practices.

In conclusion, the SHE program has proven to be an effective educational intervention, significantly enhancing both the sustainability knowledge and critical thinking skills of university students. The study provides actionable insights for educators and policymakers in the hospitality sector, underscoring the need for ongoing faculty development and the integration of sustainability across the curriculum. The program's success suggests that it could serve as a model for similar initiatives in other educational contexts, ultimately contributing to the development of a sustainable and critically thinking workforce in the hospitality industry and beyond.

-