Author: chris

You have been asked by a hotel chain (of your choice) to develop a CSR and Risk Management strategy. The use of theory and supporting evidence is essential throughout the report. The strategy you develop must take into consideration the following considerations.

1. Introduction 945 – 1,155
LO1.2 Critically evaluate the differences between the public, private and voluntary sectors in tourism and hospitality.

2. A detailed overview of ethics and an evaluation of the key ethical considerations for the business you have selected, considering both management and marketing perspectives 945 – 1,155
LO1.1 Critically evaluate ethical concepts and issues and apply these to the tourism and hospitality industry.
LO 2.2 Provide a critical evaluation of ethical decision making and the adoption of ethical concepts such as Fairtrade.
LO 3.2 Discuss critically the ethical issues around tourism and hospitality research.
LO4.1 Critically evaluate ethical issues for tourism and hospitality marketing.
LO 4.2 Critically analyse contemporary ethical issues in tourism and hospitality.
LO 4.3 Critically evaluate business decision making in the context of ethics.

3. A detailed evaluation of the risks that the selected business may be exposed to and recommendations, underpinned by theory to manage and mitigate these risks 1,575 – 1,925
LO 2.3 Critically assess business risk management in a particular tourism and hospitality context.
LO5.1 Critically evaluate levels of influence and power amongst a wide range of stakeholders.

4. An in-depth and creative approach to CSR demonstrating ways in which the business can contribute operationally and strategically to the triple bottom line (financial, environmental and social sustainability). 1,260 – 1,540
LO1.3 Critically evaluate ethics in the context of sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility.
LO5.2 Critically evaluate the notion of the Triple Bottom Line.

5. Proposed CSR and Risk Management Strategy 1,575 – 1,925
LO 2.1 Critically evaluate decision making at different levels of an organisation.
LO 3.1 Critically assess market research needs and appropriate data collection methods.
LO 3.3 Identify and propose appropriate methods of market research for tourism and hospitality.
LO5.3 Develop a critical awareness of the scope of business decision making to justify strategic plans.

1. Introduction- short. Your work count is already taken up by the rest of the paper.

2. Taking an organisation of your choice from the tourism and hospitality industry, explain how the PEST and Micro environment factors can impact the business and influence its corporate strategy Range: 945 – 1,155
LO6.1 Identify key external environmental factors the chosen organisation should consider.
LO 6.2 Using clear criteria establish the key external environmental factors facing the organisation.
LO 6.3 Critically appraise how these factors may impact on the business.

3. Using a range of analytical models, define and evaluate the models you think would be the most appropriate to formulate the right strategy for your business Range: 945 – 1,155
LO 2.1 Identify a range of relevant analytical models.
LO 2.2 Apply the identified range of analytical models to a specific business within the tourism and hospitality sector.
LO 2.3 Evaluate each of the chosen analytical models both in terms of their theoretical content and their applicability to the specified organisation within the tourism and hospitality sector.
LO 2.4 Critically evaluate organisational strategies.
LO 2.5 Propose and justify recommendations for future strategic development.

4. Looking at a range of corporate strategies, critically evaluate how your chosen strategy would work in an international context Range: 1,575 – 1,925
LO 1.1 Identify a range of definitions of corporate strategy.
LO 1.2 Explain and apply definitions of corporate strategy to a chosen organisation within the tourism and hospitality industry.
LO 1.3 Critically evaluate the chosen definitions of corporate strategy in the context of the chosen organisation.
LO 4.1 Evaluate and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches that organisations can take towards internationalisation.
LO 4.2 Propose and justify the most appropriate growth strategy for a specific organisation

5. Explain how effective portfolio management and resource allocation can play a key role in your business growth strategy Range: 1,260 – 1,540
LO 5.1 Explain portfolio management theory and the principle of resource allocation.
LO 5.2 Apply the theory of portfolio management and the principle of resource allocation to the chosen organisation.
LO 5.3 Critically assess the relevance of portfolio management and resource allocation to the chosen organisation.

6. Identify the challenges involved in managing a global workforce and explain how the organisational culture can help to manage and motivate staff based across the globe Range: 1,575 – 1,925

LO 3.1 Define, explain and assess the management of diverse individuals, groups and teams.
LO 3.2 Identify ways in which organisation culture can impact on strategy development and implementation.
LO 3.3 Evaluate the impact of organisational culture on strategic development and implementation within chosen tourism and hospitality organisations.

1. The adoption of e-recruitment practices for attracting a wider pool of talent
2. Adopting employee voice practices to improve employee motivation
3. Adopting a holistic reward strategy to retain employees
4. Implementing strategies to reduce stress and anxiety in the workplace
5. Dealing with depression and emotional resilience in the workplace
6. Implementing a strategy to develop emotionally and socially intelligent leaders
7. Adopting practices to overcome victimization, harassment and discrimination against those who are perceived to be different in terms of sexuality and sexual identity
8. Adopting a strategy to manage the underperforming employee
9. Adopting social media as a tool for developing employee engagement
10. Dealing with serious issues in the workplace

Theme 1: Leadership and Ethics
Please respond to the following statement: “Ethical Leadership is defined as “the demonstration of normatively appropriate conduct through personal actions and interpersonal relationships, and the promotion of such conduct to followers through two-way communication, reinforcement and decision-making”… [and] the evidence suggests that ethical leader behavior can have important positive effects on both individual and organizational effectiveness” (Rubin et al 2010: 216-17).
To help you put the right emphasis on this theme you should consider it in 2 parts:
Part 1: Ethical leadership, is defined as “the demonstration of normatively appropriate conduct through personal actions and interpersonal relationships, and the promotion of such conduct to followers through two-way communication, reinforcement and decision-making”… [and]
Part 2: the evidence suggests that ethical leader behavior can have important positive effects on both individual and organizational effectiveness (Rubin et al 2010: 216-17).
Structure: So, having identified the 2 parts to this theme you can now start to structure your response: We are looking for you to introduce the theme, reference the theory, use real examples and conclude using your own words and views, backed up by the theory.
o Part 1: What are the different sides of this debate ie the 2 principle areas of ethics? (see Unit 1 for a brief summary) and what model of leadership have you chosen to help to define the complex concept of ethical leadership?
o Part 2: What organisational examples of good and bad ethical behaviour from your chosen industry illustrate this debate?
o What are your conclusions from this debate for your understanding of the role of a manager or leader in your chosen industry?
Checklist. After you’ve written your blog, read it to check if you have …….:
1. Made reference to the 2 principle schools of ethics, their benefits and limitations and 1 model of ethical leadership.
2. Used real-life industry examples to highlight the impact ethical and non-ethical leadership behaviour can have on individual and organisational effectiveness
3. Made recommendations for managers on how to use knowledge of effective ethical behaviour to produce better results.
What you must NOT do. Do not simply gather together a series of quotes from published authors in the hope that this presents your views. Remember Socrates words of wisdom: To believe without evidence and demonstration is an act of ignorance and folly.

Theme 2: The challenge of managing diverse teams
Please respond to the following statement: “Research has consistently shown that diverse teams produce better results, provided they are well led. The ability to bring together people from different backgrounds, disciplines, cultures, and generations and leverage all they have to offer, therefore, is a must-have for leaders” (Ibarra and Hansen 2011: 71).
It is recommended that you post your 2nd blog by week 5 to start generating responses before you submit your work through moodle
To help you to put the right emphasis on this theme you should consider it in 2 parts:
Part 1: “Research has consistently shown that diverse teams produce better results, providedthey are well led.”
Part 2: “The ability to bring together people from different backgrounds, disciplines, cultures, and generations and leverage all they have to offer, therefore, is a must-have for leaders” (Ibarra & Hansen 2011: 71).
Structure: So, having identified the 2 parts to this theme you can now start to structure your response: We are looking for you to introduce the theme, reference the theory, use real examples and conclude using your own words and views, backed up by the theory.
o Part 1: Draw on research, theories and team building models to help you explore the advantages and the challenges diverse teams bring to organisations
o Part 2: Is the ability to manage a diverse team the most important skill for your chosen industry? You must present your argument here and justify your response by making reference to leaders and organisations in your chosen industry. You have already explored your chosen industry in ECS so you can draw on your research from ECS to help you here.
o How might a manager use the knowledge of diversity to produce better results? Present your discussion drawing on your research and industry leaders.
o What are your conclusions from this debate?
Caution: Many students spend far too much of their allocated word allowance on the definition of a diverse team. We do not need long definitions of what a diverse team is. Ibarra and Hansen have already provided you with a reference here regarding some of the main components of a diverse team ie people from different backgrounds, disciplines, cultures and generations. We want you to focus on the research which examines the challenge of team diversity which will lead you to making recommendations for managing diverse teams.

Theme 3 – Most effective Leadership & Management Styles & approaches
Please respond to the following statement: “Which personal style should managers adopt to ensure success? What is the most effective approach to managing the work of subordinates? These questions have been extensively researched and debated over the last century, and while the general consensus has moved away from ‘command and control’ to management and leadership towards more consultative and participative approaches, there is no single ideal, as the best approach may vary according to circumstances and individual characteristics” (CMI 2013).
It is recommended that you post your 3rd blog by week 7 to start generating responses before you submit your work through moodle
To help you put the right emphasis on this theme you should consider it in 2 parts:
Part 1: Which personal style should managers adopt to ensure success? What is the most effective approach to managing the work of subordinates? These questions have been extensively researched and debated over the last century, and while the general consensus has moved away from ‘command and control’ management and leadership towards more consultative and participative approaches, Part 2: there is no single ideal, as the best approach may vary according to circumstances and individual characteristics (CMI 2013).
Structure: So, having identified the 2 parts to this theme you can now start to structure your response: We are looking for you to introduce the theme, reference the theory, use real examples and conclude using your own words and views, backed up by the theory.
o Part 1: Based on leadership research, compare & contrast the similarities & differences between management & leadership
o Part 2: Based on the research what do you believe is the most effective approach to managing the work of subordinates.
o Following this discussion what is your response to the point of view suggested by the CMI 2013? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
o Provide 2 examples of leaders that fit your idea of how you would like to be led
o As a member of a team, reflect on how you would like to be managed or led?
Theme 4 – Leadership & Change
Please respond to the following statement: “Change is nothing new and a simple fact of life. Some people actively thrive on new challenges and constant change, while others prefer the comfort of the status quo and strongly resist any change. It is all down to the personality of the individual andthere is little management can do about resistance to change” (Mullins 2010: 753).
It is recommended that you post your 4th blog by week 9 to start generating responses before you submit your work through moodle
To help you put the right emphasis on this theme you should consider it in 2 parts:
Part 1: Change is nothing new and a simple fact of life. Some people actively thrive on new challenges and constant change, while others prefer the comfort of the status quo and strongly resist any change.
Part 2: It is all down to the personality of the individual and there is little management can do about resistance to change (Mullins 2010: 753).
Structure: So, having identified the 2 parts to this theme you can now start to structure your response: We are looking for you to introduce the theme, reference the theory, use real examples and conclude using your own words and views, backed up by the theory.
o Part 1: Based on your leadership research, debate the statement, providing arguments for and against the point of view proposed by Mullins.
o Part 2: Examine the role that managers play in avoiding and overcoming resistance to change and the value that resistance can bring to the change process*
o What change management models would you recommend to managers and why?
o What organisational examples from your chosen industry illustrate this debate?
o What are your conclusions from this debate for your understanding about how change could be managed in your chosen industry?
*e.g. If leaders listen to feedback from employees during the resistance phase of the change they may benefit from insight and opinion from employees.

Theme 5 – Your vision of leadership (Double Weighted)
At this stage in your studies of business and leadership, what type of leader do you believe you are or would like to become? How ready are you to lead others? Watch the following podcast about the experience of being managed and led by others.

It is recommended that you post your 5th blog by week 10 to generate responses before you submit your work through moodle
To help you put the right emphasis on this theme you can consider it in 2 parts:
Part 1: At this stage in your studies of business and leadership, what type of leader are you or would like to become (& who inspires you)?
Part 2: How ready are you to lead others? Watch the following podcast about the experience of being managed and led by others. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Structure: So, having identified the 2 parts to this theme you can now start to structure your response: We are looking for you to introduce the theme, reference the theory, use real examples and conclude using your own words and views, backed up by the theory.
o What is your vision of leadership?
o Who has inspired your understanding of effective leadership and why?
o What feedback from your colleagues has helped you to become more aware of your strengths and areas to develop as a leader in your chosen industry?
o What leadership skills do you want to develop as you progress through your MBA and how will you develop them?

Assignment brief

Financial statements are prepared for a variety of users but it is often stated that shareholders are the most important users because the preparation of financial statements is geared to meeting their needs.

You are required to:
i) Discuss the reasons why financial statements are prepared with the needs of shareholders in mind and also outline the main shareholder needs
(40 marks)

ii) Who are the other main users of financial statements and what are their needs? Are these users less important than the shareholders?

(45 Marks)

Examining all the hospitality sectors we have discussed, identify an area within the tourism industry where you may want to work and why?
From research, what are some of the characteristics of a global citizen?
Discuss how your role & responsibilities as a global citizen could be applied to your specific job?

1. Discuss your views on the impact of the “Internet of Things” on Higher Education in the next ten years. (Max: 1100 words)
[25 marks]
2. Consider airbnb (www.airbnb.com), the “community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodation around the world”. Visit airbnb’s Web site and do your own research and describe its business model. Identify its customer value proposition, its revenue model, marketplaces airbnb operates and who its main competitors are (hint: use of online marketplace analysis tools to illustrate competition trends), any competitive advantage you believe airbnb possesses and what its market strategy appears to be. Also try to identify information about the company’s organisational structure. Conclude your analysis by identifying and discussing the key competitive threats affecting airbnb. (Max: 2300 words)
[50 marks]
3. Should health care organisations such as the NHS use social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to interact with patients? Illustrate your views with examples (Max: 1100 words)

Essay title: “Investigate the relationships between theory and reality in the case of Kensal House”

This essay asks you to read about Kensal House, a block of flats built in London in the 1930s, and then write about the theories behind it, the reality of what was built, and what the tenants themselves thought of the resulting flats.

Advantages and disadvantages of export promotion strategy in developing countries (with reference to specific types of commodities exported by some specific developing countries)

 The case must be specific and the title needs to be specific and narrowed by students according to the cases one chosen.

 Each student is expected to understand international trade in general and to show some in-depth knowledge of the issue under discussion in particular.

 Under the guidance of the supervisors, each student will provide a literature review in the field, search and prepare a bibliography / references of the subject, provide abstracts of each relevant article or book, summarise your abstract, make reports on your research progress in class.