“Being Malaysian does not Mean Being Malaysian” – Cultural Stereotypes is a Hindrance to Modern Hospitality Management

Abstract

This research revolves around the field of cross cultural study whereby the researcher focuses on discovering exactly by what means and way cultural stereotypes influences management effectiveness in the Malaysian hospitality workforce. It was observed from past studies that organizations are taking necessary measures in forming strategies to overcome challenges formed by cultural stereotypes. However, the issue still exists due to the challenges in terms of adaptation and understanding of cultural differences among people. This indicates that the growing phenomenon of globalization has not spared culture, as the integration of different cultures leads to the act of "cultural stereotyping", one of the many facets in the context of culture. This study consists of three research objectives; (i) to explore the understanding of management effectiveness among the Malaysian hospitality workforce, (ii) to examine and explore the means of influence cultural stereotypes has upon management effectiveness within the hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and (iii) to identify the gaps of cultural stereotyping as being a hindrance to modern hospitality management within the hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methodologically, this study employed a qualitative approach whereby the samples were chosen based on snowball and criterion method. Data collected were then coded using In Vivo and Initial coding of which then were analyzed using Thematic analysis. This study proved the existence of contradictory evidence as oppose to the extensive literature from previous studies with regard to this research area. Therefore, findings from this study can be made as a comparison to prior studies with its aim in exploring for an in-depth understanding of what lays behind the different perspectives as previous studies were mostly conducted in Western settings. It is undeniable that comparisons made will bring to light of how cultural differences shape the mind set of individuals and societies alike.