Faculty & Staff
STEPHEN LYNCH
Associate Professor
School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
Education:
PhD University of Bradford (UK) 2002; MA Duquesne University (Pennsylvania) 1974; MS (Management) California American University 1988; Bus. Dip. Wilfrid Laurier University 1988; BEd University of Toronto 1975; BA (Honours) University of Toronto 1972
Current Position: On Leave
Brief Biography:
Dr. Lynch began lecturing at the University of Guelph in 1988 as a Sessional instructor in organizational behaviour. He worked in the BComm. program and with the Open Learning department. In the fall of 1991 Professor Lynch joined a group of academic colleagues from York University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Calgary at the International Management Centre in Budapest, Hungary. As a group we designed and delivered an Executive MBA program for mid-career Eastern European managers. This was the first western-style MBA program to combine a rigorous academic program with the successful completion of a North American business internship. The Ontario Zone of the Canadian Red Cross seconded him in the fall of 1996 to travel to Africa to conduct an in-depth audit of primary health care programs in rural Kenya. During the two month tour of Kenya he worked with the National Society of the Kenyan Red Cross and the Head of Delegation of the American Red Cross to coordinate teen delegates from various Red Cross National Societies to participate in an International Youth Forum in Mombassa, Kenya. Since then Dr. Lynch has lived and worked in Romania, Kenya, Bahrain, the United States, Bali and Thailand.
Courses Taught:
Stephen became a full time faculty member at the University of Guelph in 1997 and is active in all phases of the School’s program, with undergraduates of the BComm. graduates in the MBA, MA in Leadership and with industry professionals in the Management Development Programs. Within the sectors of the Hospitality Industry Dr. Lynch has developed customized training and development programs to meet specialized leadership, team development, strategic management communication, decision-making, motivation, interpersonal and human resources needs. He participated in the School’s France Semester, in 1998 and 2002. Dr. Lynch has taught at Prince of Songkla University in Phuket, Thailand, Royal Roads University in British Columbia and the Central European University Business School, Budapest, Hungary (formerly the International Management Centre).
Academic Honours
Educator of the Year (2008), Ontario Hostelry Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising Medalliom (2008), University of Guelph, Guelph, ON.
Faculty Member of the Year Award – (Awarded by graduating undergraduate students: 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000), School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
President’s Distinguished Professor Award (2007), University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
Faculty Association’s Distinguished Professor Award (2005), University of Guelph Faculty Association, Guelph, ON
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Outreach to the Industry: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Internship, Bali, Indonesia (2003)
During the winter 2003 semester, Dr. Lynch participated in a comprehensive hands-on training program at three Asian Four Seasons resort properties and two city hotel properties in Asia. Each of the key operational areas was included in the training design.
The primary objective for this internship was to gain first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced by all levels of the resort and city hotels in a competitive lodging environment. Dr. Lynch refreshed hands-on service delivery knowledge under the guidance of industry professionals. This opportunity allowed him to understand the execution of a core service delivery initiative in a different culture. One of the challenges facing the multinational resort corporation is the adaptation of the corporate training program to the cultural differences of each particular country, in this case Bali, Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Singapore. As part of the internship, Dr. Lynch was invited to participate in a symposium in Kuala Lumpur to examine the adaptation of Four Seasons service standards to the Asian environment. In conjunction with this symposium, Dr. Lynch worked with the Human Resources department at the Four Seasons, Jimbaran Bay Resort to adapt the corporate policies to their supervisory and management development programs.
Munson Medical Center: Traverse City Michigan, US (1998-2003)
This project began with an organizational needs analysis. From the findings of the report an Organizational Culture Assessment was conducted and a program was developed to define, design and implement leadership competencies and team building skills for all senior executive and senior management individuals. The entire project included 300 full-time employees and was a critical element of the organizations application for a Malcolm Baldridge Award for Excellence.
International Experience: Bahrain Leadership Initiative, Manama, Bahrain (1999)
During the winter 1999 semester, I participated in a leadership initiative in conjunction with the Bahrainian Royal Family, the financial sector and the military to create a leadership and team building program. This was the first Bahrainian leadership program that incorporated a 360° feedback instrument. The pilot group included 40 Bahrainian sector leaders. This was followed by a more in-depth “train-the-trainer” program which allowed sector leaders to facilitate the program for an additional 500 individuals. This was an opportunity to augment and adapt a North American instrument package to a Middle Eastern culture.
Canadian Military: Developing Leadership Competencies for Enlisted and Service Personnel: Edmonton Supply Depot, Edmonton Alberta, Canada (1998)
In winter 1998, Dr. Lynch facilitated a team comprised of enlisted and civilian Edmonton Supply Depot base personnel to identify key leadership competencies necessary to address the performance deficits identified by an independent audit. The competencies were catalogued and a three-day workshop was developed and delivered to Supply Depot leaders representing key stakeholder groups. One of the key recommendations was to close the Supply Depot and move operations to Quebec. The project lasted 16 weeks and had an immediate impact on 200 Edmonton Supply Depot people.
Canadian Red Cross: Primary Health Care Audit, Kenya (1996).
As an International Delegate for the Canadian Red Cross, Dr. Lynch conducted a primary health care audit with 5 mobile heath care facilities in northern Kenya. Primary responsibilities: to ensure that the medical supplies sent by the Ontario Zone of the Canadian Red Cross reached the clinics; and, to ensure that the supplies were used in an appropriate and timely manner. Working with local Red Cross officials and health care providers Dr. Lynch gathered information from local Kenyans to capture data for the analysis. The final report recommendations improved the supply and use of these much needed medical supplies and created a system in line with the Red Cross’ goal of community sustainability. While on this mission he was the keynote speaker at an International Youth Conference in Mombasa, Kenya.
Eastern European Outreach: Szolnay Pottery, Pecs, Hungary (1991)
Central European University Business School, Budapest, Hungary (1991-1992) (formerly the International Management Centre)
Each instructor developed working relationships with various small to medium-sized corporations. Dr. Lynch worked with the Szolnay Pottery Group. Located in southern Hungary, this premier hand-painted pottery group consisted of 25 independent artisans in a “cottage industry”. Szolany sought to increase their output without compromising the artistry that defines their works. He worked to created interdependent work teams with rotating leadership responsibilities in order to determine individual strengths and then translate them into the team to increase the production levels. The project was successful. Szolnay supplied quantities sufficient to satisfy demand for the “high-end” retailers in North American leading cities. The learning included team building, marketing, economics and finance.
Research areas of interest:
Professor Lynch’s research interests are in leadership and team development. His research activities have produced papers and case studies in various refereed journals. His cases have appeared in leading Organizational Behaviour and Leadership texts in North America. Currently he is a primary researcher studying Restaurant Reservation Policies in Canadian restaurants.
Selected Publications:
Chapters in Books:
Lynch, Stephen (2006). “Excel’s Tavern” and Teaching Note
In Robbins and Langton (2007), Supplementary Cases for Organizational Behaviour: Concepts, Controversies, Applications. (4th Canadian Edition) (Toronto: Pearson) ISBN 0-13-230662-X (10-page case; + 7 page teaching note) (pp. N/A)
In Robbins, Coulter and Langton (2006). Management (8th Canadian edition) Toronto: Pearson) [updated and expanded from the original. Teaching note re-written for this publication.] ISBN 0-13-127455-4 (pp 546-551) + teaching note.
In Ebert, Griffin, and Starke (2005). Business Essentials (4th Canadian edition) (Toronto: Pearson) ISBN 0- 13-127286-1 (pp. 543-547) + teaching note.
Lynch, Stephen (2003). “Observing and Measuring Leadership.” In Boyer, Patrick (ed). Leading in an upside-down world. (Toronto: Dundurn Press) pp. 173-178 (ISBN: 1-55002-455-8)
Papers in refereed Conference Proceedings:
Lynch, Stephen (2009) “Case Research in the Academy: A Role For Live Industry-Driven Case Studies”. World Association of Case Research and Application,Vancouver, B.C., Canada, June 28 – July 1, 2009
Lynch, Stephen (2009) Biff’s Bistro. Case and Teaching Note, International Creative Teaching Conference Sedona, Arizona, USA. January 2009 (26-page + 18 page teaching note)
Fikis, Adam and Lynch, Stephen (2008). “Trio Lounge: Capital Allocation Decision. Case and Teaching Note, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Proceedings (Case Track), Halifax, NS, Canada (12 page + 25 page teaching note)
Lewonas, Quentin and Lynch, Stephen (2008). “Devine Steakhouse: The right to grow.” Case and Teaching note. Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Proceedings (Case Track), Halifax, NS, Canada (14 pages + 14 page teaching note)
Magee, Mark and Lynch, Stephen (2008). “Copper Mountain: Amending compensation: Pay-for-Performance.” Case and Teaching note. Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Proceedings (Case Track), Halifax, NS, Canada (14 page + 15 page teaching note)
Lynch, Stephen (2006). “The Managing Director’s Challenge.” Case and Teaching Note, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Proceedings (Case Track), Banff, AB, Canada (7-pages + 6 page teaching note)
Lynch, Stephen (2006).”Excel Hotels and Resorts: The Thirty Minute Employee.” Case and Teaching Note, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Proceedings (Case Track), Banff, AB, Canada (3-pages + 6 page teaching note)
Ryan, Mary and Lynch, Stephen (2006). Survival of the Fittest: A Case Study” Case and Teaching Note, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Proceedings (Case Track), Banff, AB, Canada (23 page case + 25 page teaching note)
Lynch, Stephen (2004). “Excel’s Tavern”. Case (8 pages) and Teaching Note (12 pages), Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Proceedings (Case Track), Quebec City, PQ, Canada
Generoux, Kevin and Lynch, Stephen (2004). “Current operational challenges identified by western Canadian Tim Horton franchisees”, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Proceedings (Case Track), Quebec City, PQ, Canada (12 pages)
Lynch, Stephen and Thibault, Marc (2003). “Excel Hotels: Performance Management Simulation.” Case (8 pages) and Teaching Note (10 pages), Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Proceedings (Case Track), Halifax, NS, Canada.
Laurier Institute Best Organizational Behaviour Case Award
Jesty, James and Lynch, Stephen (2003). “Current management issues identified by Canadian hotel general managers”, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Proceedings (Case Track), Halifax, NS, Canada. (13 pages)
Honourable Mention Paper Award: Tourism and Hospitality Management Division
Lynch, Stephen and MacDonald, Mitch (2003). “What motivates employees to steal cash and alcohol in the hospitality industry?” Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Proceedings (Case Track), Halifax Canada (12 pages)
Gharib, Ronald and Lynch, Stephen (2003). “Managers incentive plans in quick service restaurants”, Case (10 pages) and Teaching Note (12 pages)
Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Proceedings (Case Track), Halifax, NS, Canada
Lynch, Stephen (2002). “Integrating Simulations into the Curriculum” International CHRIE Conference, Orlando, FL
Lynch, Stephen (1992). “Training highly effective teams: An eastern European experience.” Human Resource Management in the 1990’s Conference.
Ashridge Management College Berkhamsted, U.K. (9 pages)
Lynch, Stephen (1992) “Training highly effective teams: An eastern European experience.” (Human Resource Management in the 1990’s Conference. Ashridge Management College Berkhamsted, U.K.).
Refereed Conference Presentations
Lynch, Stephen (2009) “Regatta Steakhouse and Grille” Case and Teaching Note, World Association of Case Research and Application ,Vancouver, B.C., Canada, June 28 – July 1, 2009 (15 page case + 15 page teaching note)
Lynch, Stephen (2008). “Excel Airport Hotel” Case and Teaching Note, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Proceedings (Case Track), Halifax, NS, Canada (12 page + 14 page teaching note)
Lynch, Stephen (2004). “Partnerships through Faculty Internships: An Ongoing Exchange of Skills and Knowledge” International CHRIE Conference Proceedings, Philadelphia, PA (9 pages)
Lynch, Stephen (2002). “Integrating Simulations into the Curriculum” International CHRIE Conference Proceedings, Orlando, FL (10 pages)
Unpublished Theses, Papers and Reports
Lynch, Stephen. (2002) “Decision making in working groups”, unpublished PhD thesis, University of Bradford, UK
Lynch, Stephen. “College of Veterinarians of Ontario membership study: customer service” College of Veterinarians of Ontario, Guelph, ON
Lynch, Stephen (1997) “Primary Health Care Audit: Kenya Red Cross Society” Canadian Red Cross: Ontario Zone, Toronto, ON
Lynch, Stephen. (1992) “Senior business curriculum evaluation and recommendations”, Report to the Halton Regional Board of Education and the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training
Lynch, Stephen (1991) “Can western training programs be transferred successfully to Eastern European businesses?” World Economic Forum, Prague, CZ
Lynch, Stephen (1974). “Challenge and change in Pittsburgh in the 1820’s”, unpublished MA thesis, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA.
