A Critical Analysis Of The Influence Of Time Management To Revenue Generation In The Tourism Sector In Sofala, Mozambique

Abstract

During the last two decades, much has changed in both the nature of work and the working environment, making the efficient and productive use of time at work an important factor to both managers and employees. Time management is productive use of time, because it is where revenue comes from. The tourism industry is one of the delicate industries because in this sector, this is where you meet people from all walks of life with different backgrounds and different cultures. The aim of this study was to find out if time management had an influence on revenue generation in the tourism sector. The assumption of the researcher was that, there was conflict of interest and culture on time management in the tourism industry. An overview of the literature on time management is given, which includes antecedent factors of time management and effects on performance and personal well-being. The definitions of time management and research methods used, and gaps in research, are discussed. A case study was therefore carried out in Sofala province at tourism centres. A qualitative paradigm was used. In this study, the researcher did not just analyse how time management affects revenue generation but gave a comprehensive interpretation of data obtained by means of a thick description of different perceptions of time management. The data of the study were gathered through; observation, focus groups, interviews and a daily diary study. This was done only with the key informants. From the study, the researcher discovered that there isn’t just one definition of time management. Time management varies from person to person, culture to culture and even for the same person, situation to situation. The Western perception of time proves that the Westerners do not real manage time but are managed by time. And yet the African perception of time shows that Africans manage time. The researcher also found out that Westerns’ perception of time is not just for the Westerners but even Africans practice it especially to impress or to get the attention of the Westerners. Moreover it is this perception that is used in business to generate revenue. When out of their countries the Westerners are also not very strict with their perception of time management. They tend to accommodate the African perspective of time management. But of course because of this discrepancy, revenue is affected by time management in tourism. The researcher therefore recommends a balance of the two perceptions. Employers should never tie or relate time management to job performance. Instead, they should train their employees on time management so that they retain them. This way revenue increases and as a result the whole country benefits. Employees should then try to satisfy their clients by providing products and services in time because it is because of these tourists that they have jobs.