INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY Management

This module is about examining strategic-level operations management issues through evaluating how operations may have to develop or change to meet the future needs of the market. This evaluation will be carried out within the context of corporate strategy and the external global business environment.

This module is based on an overseas visit to undertake a specific consultancy project. By applying your project management skills to an international destination, you will develop your ability to produce management solutions for a real case study. You will get involved with project management at all stages, work in a team whilst leading a particular work package. The collaborative teamwork will focus on developing strategies/ solutions to your given project brief. Please note: the costs of the essential elements of the trip will be covered by UCB.

Service industries, such as hospitality and tourism, are very competitive. Organisations that make more effective decisions deliver superior financial performance. They need to constantly analyse and improve existing performance while looking ahead to try and judge the future requirements of the market. Management is about solving problems and making decisions. This module investigates sources of business data and information and how they can be transformed and applied to inform problem solving and decision making. People are not always rational and objective decision makers so this module also explores sources of and treatments for human bias in decision making. Decision making is not all about objectivity and numbers. There are many factors that need to be taken into account that are difficult to quantify or put a value on. Organisations need to consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders, there is an ethical dimension to decision making. Appropriate leadership skills are required to ensure an effective process and resolution. Problem solving, decision making and implementation can impact on people and how they feel. Stakeholders may have different interpretations of the situation and different views about the solution. They may be affected in different ways by the solution.

Today's global hospitality industry requires employees to have an understanding of management and leadership across cultures, so you will explore the issues surrounding this while assessing the move away from local cultures to a more cosmopolitan environment. You will examine the management styles, motivation techniques and leadership theories as well as any complexities and contradictions that may occur.

Developing your ability to interpret financial information, such as budget control and investments, enables you to understand the principles of finance within an organisational context. You will examine how managers use financial tools and techniques to enhance the decision-making process and shape the direction of organisations.

You will explore the dynamics and disruptions of global trends and developments on tourists and the wider tourism and aviation industries. You will examine the rise of new tourist typologies, the development of innovative & creative models, products and practices as destinations and organisations strive for sustainable competitive advantage. A particular emphasis will be placed on tourism and aviation futures and the response needed by industry and governments to develop more responsible and inspirational strategies.

We live in a flat, hyper-connected, shrinking, interdependent world in which time horizons are compressed, communications are 24/7, information is prolific, customers are also competitors and global teams are located throughout the world. Forget Porter's five forces model! If we recognize the fact that post BREXIT, foreign governments in cross border trade may become a significant barrier to entry, then a partner, a customer, or a competitor are in fact a 6 th force in the five forces model and when planning overseas hospitality, tourism and events market entry, distributors / agents / partners can even be a 7 th force. This module provides an overview of the unique aspects of marketing in the international hospitality, tourism and events environment and the role of the international marketing manager in the development of strategies for overseas market entry for a variety of markets in diverse cultural, political, and economic situations.

The module will require students to critically assess the feasibility of large scale event projects and event facilities. Students will study current contemporary issues and trends relating to event project management and the impact of International events on local and regional economies. Students will be required to evaluate the financial viability of events projects, whilst considering long term return on investment. In addition, students will be required to critically analyse associated operational requirements that may influence key performance indicators; including project layout and design, logistics and human resource requirements. The consideration of an international workforce will also be analysed.

The Postgraduate Conference Research Project allows students to engage in creative enquiry as they demonstrate ability to develop an in-depth investigation into an area of their own interest within the area of Hospitality, Tourism or Events management. The Module develops business relevant knowledge and advantageous competencies such as report writing, visual communication and presentation skills.

This project is formed while working on your industrial placement. The key will be to develop your independent learning, problem solving, analysis, assimilation and communication skills while on placement. You will be able to demonstrate your knowledge in a particular area of the sector and apply theory models to dissect the real world problem. During your taught programme, you will explore the process of designing and constructing an industry-focused piece of research. The output will be a body of work which will assist in your gaining employment in your chosen sector.

The Postgraduate Work Placement module provides students with the opportunities to further develop practical skills, relate theory to practice and to gain a sound base of experience. In addition, the module seeks to develop 'life skills' to assist students in progressing towards a career in management. The placement period offers the student the opportunity to experience work in the hospitality industry and to gain academic credit for their learning. It is important therefore that students are given the opportunity to work in an organisation which is both appropriate to their needs and has a professional approach towards training and development. Students' needs and any previous experience are taken into consideration, when introducing them to a suitable employer. The staff in the hired@UCB suite will draw on their extensive experience to ensure that the objectives are met as fully as possible.