Faculty & Staff

GEOFF SMITH

Assistant Dean
College of Management & Economics
School of Hospitality & Tourism Management &
Director,
Executive & Management Development Programs

Education

Master in Business Administration, Guelph University 1999.
University Teaching Certificate, Guelph University 1999.
Business Administration Diploma (UK), Brunel University 1968.
Certificate in Human Resource Management. C.H.R.M. Humber College 1989-1992.
Certified Human Resources Professional C.H.R.P.
Member of the Human Resources Professional Association of Ontario.
Graduate of the “Advanced Management Program for the Hospitality Industry” (AMPHI), University of Guelph, 1998.

Current position

Associate Professor & Assistant Dean for the College of Management & Economics with responsibility for all graduate programs; Academic Reviewer for The Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC); member of the Sircorp Educator’s Advisory Board (S.E.A.B.); coordinator for the university with the Human Resources Professional Association of Ontario; HTM representative for the Greater Toronto Hotel Human Resource Managers Association; Director of the Executive in Residence Program (runs twice annually) and all Management Development Programs; member of the University Senate.

Brief biography/comments

Geoff was born in Southern England in a market town that lies midway between London and Oxford. He has travelled extensively and has lived and worked in England, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Courses taught

Geoff joined the School of Hotel and Food Administration in 1998 and teaches undergraduate & graduate courses in Human Resources Management.

In addition to teaching undergraduate & graduate students, Geoff also delivers lectures and key components of the “Managerial Development Program” offered to middle and senior managers in the workplace. These programs (one in April and another in May) require the participants to stay on campus and are deliberately very intensive in design and delivery.

Geoff’s research, in the field of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), seeks to recognize, evaluate, and give credit for, the prior learning experience of mature individuals that may wish to return to university in order to acquire new skills and gain advancement in the work place.

The delivery and presentation of papers at national conferences results from research work at the university. Geoff has presented papers on the topics of “Leadership” and “Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition.”

Perhaps somewhat unique in an academic setting, Geoff has a business background that spans over thirty years and includes senior positions in human resources at Compass Canada Limited (formerly Restauronics Services), Adidas Limited and Marks and Spencer.

Selected publications

“Disparity between Current Employment Interview Practices and What Matters to Human Rights Tribunals” Authors: Simola S.K., Taggar S., and Smith G. (2006), Published by the Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences (CJAS) March 2007, Volume 24, Number 1.
“Return on Investment in Training – Accommodation Sector – Front Desk Agents” – Smith G. and Sterne R. (2004) Written for the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council, March 31st, 2004. 38 pages.

“Training Needs Assessment Post-SARS Adjustment Program Study Report. Smith G. and Martin D. (2005) Written for the Ontario Tourism Education Corporation. May 24th, 2005. 20 pages

Papers in referred conference proceedings

“Disaster Preparedness in the Canadian Hospitality Industry” ASAC 2008. Gruman J.A, Chhinzer N. and Smith G. (2008)
“Residential Leadership Training Programs and the Transfer of Knowledge” – ASAC 2006 Karen V. Reimer and Smith G. (2006)
“Michael’s Roadhouse” – A Case Study – ASAC 2005. Smith G. (2005)
“Return on Investment in Training – Accommodation Sector – Front Desk Agents” – ASAC 2005. Sterne R. and Smith G. (2005)

Conference Presentations

“From Theory to Practice: The Use of Learning Journals in Graduate Level Courses” 20th Annual Teaching & Learning Innovations Conference, University of Guelph. Smith G (May 2007)
“Best Practices for Employee Retention & Cost of Employee Turnover” Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals Annual Conference. Smith G (April 2007)
“Managing Change – The Impact of Transformational Leadership. Leadership Challenge”, Effective Organizations in the 21st Century, University of Guelph. pp. 243-256. Smith G. (1999)
“Strategic Human Resources Management in the Hospitality Industry. A two day, pre-conference program for the annual HRPAO Conference. Smith G. and Christensen-Hughes J. (2005)
“Return on Investment, Training in Hospitality” Food Safety Conference. Smith G (2005)
“Budgeting and Forecasting in Hospitality” at the Hospitality, Finance and Technology Professionals Conference. Smith G. and Reynolds N. (2005)

Published Case Studies (with Teaching notes)

“Fast Eddie’s”, Published in “Marketing Leadership in Hospitality” 3rd Edition, by Lewis, R.C. (2000). New York: John Wiley & Sons. Authored by Duncan, E., Langelier, C., and Smith, G., pp.896-876, case number 48, with accompanying teachers notes in the instructors manual pp. 330-334

Professional activities

2007: Assistant Dean - College of Management & Economics responsible for all graduate programs.
2006: Interium Chair - Department of Business
2005: Associate Director for the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
2003: Assistant Director for the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
2002/2003: Chair of the Key Performance Indicators Committee.
1999/2000: Board Member of the Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA).
1999/2000/2001/2002: Member of the New Faculty Orientation Committee