In this study, we apply a fit perspective and we consider
the impact of two key personality characteristics, emotional
intelligence and service orientation on students’ intentions
to join the industry. We examine these two characteristics
because of their direct and significant impact on service
delivery (e.g., Gwinner et al. 2005; Kernbach and Schutte
2005; Prentice and King 2013). Our presumption is that stu-
dents who are higher in these characteristics may be more
successful in and thus more attracted to service-based work.
Indeed, as Kusluvan et al. (2010, 193) suggest,
service orientation . . . emotional intelligence . . . are gaining
importance as selection criteria for tourism and hospitality
employees . . . more research is needed . . . [regarding] whether
such people are willing to work in and have vocational
commitment to the industry.
As shown in Exhibit 1, we address this issue through
examining the meditating effect of satisfaction with the
industry (after an internship).
We focused on students who had completed an intern-
ship to ensure that our respondents had a realistic view of
the industry (Song and Chon 2012; Teng 2008). Research
has shown that students’ aspirations to enter the industry
deteriorate as they progress in their studies, particularly
after they have received direct exposure to the industry
(Jenkins 2001). This may occur because the internship