What are unit managers supposed to do? A contingent methodology for investigating managerial role requirements

Abstract

This paper argues the need for, examines the methodological antecedents of and describes the nature and application of a contingent technique for investigating the role requirements which impinge upon the job of unit manager in the hospitality industry. The application of the role sets and 'managerial wheels' approach is shown to shed light upon the wide variation in unit manager jobs in the industry and upon the competing, often contradictory, requirements of the individual manager, both in terms of what he must do or achieve and in terms of the skills which he needs to possess.