All people are created equal? Racial discrimination and its impact on hospitality career satisfaction. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shum, Cass; Gatling, Anthony; Garlington, Jaimi
• Is Part Of: International journal of hospitality management. Volume 89(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Racial discrimination -- Ethnicity -- Career satisfaction -- Basic needs satisfaction -- Self-determination theory; Hotel management -- Periodicals; Restaurant management -- Periodicals; Food service management -- Periodicals; Hôtels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Restaurants -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Services alimentaires -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Food service management; Hotel management; Restaurant management; Periodicals; 647.94
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2019.102407
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-4319

Abstract

Highlights: People of color suffer from more discrimination in hospitality industry. Racial discrimination hurts hospitality career satisfaction. Basic needs satisfaction mediates the discrimination and career satisfaction relationship. People of color have a lower career satisfaction than White people. Abstract: Drawing on self-determination theory, this paper investigated the level of racial discrimination in the hospitality industry and examined its effects on hospitality career satisfaction. Based on a sample of 179 hospitality students who were working in the industry, the study showed that racial discrimination is prevalent in the hospitality industry such that people of color suffer from a higher level of discrimination than Whites people. However, there is no difference in racial discrimination among racial/ethnic minority groups. Structural equation modeling results also showed that a high level of racial discrimination results in a lower level of hospitality career satisfaction. Overall, the results suggested that people of color have a lower level of career satisfaction via the mediating roles of racial discrimination and basic needs satisfaction. Results have theoretical and practical implications related to racial discrimination, as well as diversity management and education.