Examining conflicts between leaders and followers: a case study of interns majoring traveling & hospitality management at Mahidol University International College.

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to discover the reasons behind the conflicts in every batch of intern students who conducted internships for three months in Tourism & Hospitality Management major of Salaya Pavilion Hotel & Training Center at Mahidol University International College. As the author were in the batch 40, I have experienced with myself about this complex and intense situations. Interns separated into two sides: leaders and followers. Interviews were conducted with the seven vital members from all 27 interns and investigated them by the questions based on motivation theories and personality type model. Interestingly, the results revealed that the motivation theories, personality types, and effective communication play a major role to all interviewees. The findings from the study can be applied further for interns in the future especially in some places such as training centers or HR departments in organization KEY WORDS: Leadership, Conflict, Internship, Hospitality, Job Satisfaction