Sjoerd presented (also on behalf of Elena Cavagnaro and Ina Beqo) this research on the New Zealand Tourism and Hospitality Research Conference 2008.

1. Gender Related Issues in Service Industry Entrepreneurship: the case of Albania Sjoerd A. Gehrels Research Group of Service Studies , Leeuwarden, The Netherlands New Zealand Tourism & Hospitality Research Conference, 0 5.12.2008 Ina Beqo Dr. Elena Cavagnaro

5. Doctorate Research in Hospitality Management Education Background Sjoerd Gehrels, Stenden School of Graduate Studies, Programme Director, Master in International Hospitality Management Professional Experience 10 years Hospitality Industry; High Segment Restaurants (1979 - 1988) 20 years Higher Education, Hospitality Management (1989 - now) Education (HE) Diploma in Management, University of Groningen/Chamber of Commerce, NL (1994) MSc Tourism & Hospitality Education, University of Surrey, UK (1999) MBA (Hospitality), Oxford Brookes University, UK (2004) Doctor of Education Programme, University of Stirling, UK (2004 - now)

8. Albania

13. Conceptual Model

15. Methodology Data Gathering Literature review/desk research October- December 2007 Semi-structured interviews December 2007 Data analysis January –February 2008 Completing the report March 2008

16. Results and Conclusions Res Age Education Marital status Children 1. 32 University degree, law Married None 2. 44 University degree, engineer Married 2 3. 37 University degree, history-geography Married 2 4. 34 University degree, finance Separated but still married 1 5. 40 University degree, economics Married 3 6. 26 University degree, foreign languages Married 1 7. 30 University degree, economics and business law Married None 8. 30 University degree, design Married 1 9. 43 University degree, medicine Married 2 10 29 University degree, chemical engineering Married 1 11. 31 University degree, electronic engineering Married 1

19. Interview Questions Q1: Could you tell me something about the education and work experience you have been going through in your life? Q2: Could you please let me know more about your company and your association with it? Q3: When and why did you decide you wanted to be a entrepreneur in the service industry? Q4: What or who is your source of inspiration and personal motivation? Q5: What was the biggest obstacle for you to start-up this company ? Q6: What were some of the unique challenges you faced as an entrepreneur and how did you address them?