SHMS MA in International Hospitality Management

Hospitality management study is informed by a range of disciplines in social sciences, humanities and environmental sciences and their associated approaches to research. One critical aspect of research in hospitality management is that it lacks methodological rigour in the fundamental importance and application of research concerning place and culture. The approaches to (and application of) research from the perspectives of physical, cultural and human geography and cultural studies as well as management studies, to understanding social and cultural phenomena including hospitality can contribute to the development of a corpus of knowledge and understanding of such phenomena. This module will provide students with grounding in the range of disciplines that inform the ways in which people interact with and engage in places, cultures and hospitality services. These disciplines have paradigmatic and research traditions. An understanding of the variety of paradigmatic perspectives and associated and research issues will equip students with the critical analytic skills required to investigate and critically evaluate research findings. Assessment: report 100%

This module seeks to challenge notions of strategic thinking within the global market place. The predictions inherent within reasoned, achievable, strategic plans and their implementation must be viewed within the context of the challenges posed to industries by Globalisation and changes in the production and consumption of services. In this sense the module draws upon issues developed in all of the modules. Since strategic issues and choices are the culmination of the functional management developments, and the machinations of the external environment, and an ability to be able to predict and be reflexive to rapid changes in consumption trends, this strategic module develops the student's abilities to plan in a strategic manner. Assessment: report 100%

This module considers sustainable management systems and reviews BS 8900 as the management framework to improve the sustainable practices. The concepts of sustainability will be debated and sustainability strategies from a variety of sectors will be critically analysed. The module will re-examine mission, vision and values and will explore the strategic issues facing industry today. Increasingly the market is asking for a more corporate approach to managing sustainability and business ethics, therefore this module re-examines the methodology laid out in BS8900:2007 "Guidance for Managing Sustainable Development". The module will explore business ethics, corporate responsibility and corporate governance using a combination of empirical studies and theoretical constructs.
Assessment: report 100%

The purpose of this module is to allow students to relate their studies to the rapidly changing and developing world of work. This is essential given that many will be operating at a Middle or Higher Managerial level on completion of their studies or directly involved in making strategic decisions on recruitment, retention and remuneration policies in the course of their working lives. At the same time students will need to illustrate that they are able to analyse often complex data from a variety of sources, and to receive the views from colleagues at all levels, to produce recommendations for Directors and Boards of what needs to be undertaken in order to give successful change and progress.
The market is increasingly sophisticated, but post modern, and so increased knowledge on the part of the consumer and supplier demands higher levels of practical skills in designing research, and developing business plans. The evaluation of scenarios, with the factoring of externalities, requires a complex set of modelling to identify product and service design integrity. Increasingly important to the service industries is the integrated model of strategic management that incorporates the need for planning, action and review in response to the potential range of change, adaptations and service developments and enhancements. This module is designed to apply business research skills to the practical management focus demanded by organisations.
Assessment: report 100%

This module introduces the role, objectives and activities of operations and project management. Examples and case studies are drawn from a variety of organisations with an emphasis on the 'fit' of operations and project strategy. The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of a portfolio of techniques for operations and project management and their selection and use in appropriate situations. This includes an appreciation of the development of alternative theoretical perspectives behind management thinking in this field.
On completing the module students should be able to recommend a complete operational and project management strategy for a given business context.
Assessment: report 100%

In the current employment market successful careers can no longer be built on educational qualifications alone. Employers demand that potential employees are able to demonstrate employability. Students, particularly those looking to move into leadership and management positions, must therefore develop a portfolio of transferable skills at a professional level to work with self direction and originality through their academic studies and onwards to career development in the workplace.The overall aim of this module is to enable students to use reflective and personal development planning processes (PDP) to "identify, articulate and evidence learning and development" and to "recognise , record and later draw upon evidence for the skills, qualities and capabilities they have developed" (HEA 2006). It also aims to provide students with planning skills to generate their own development solutions to identified weaknesses, opportunities and threats in order to prepare them to cope with the ongoing career demands for self directed lifelong learning. Students will be encouraged to consider the academic, workplace and personal development strands of PDP and to develop an understanding of the connection between these three areas of personal and professional development. These practices are central to the development of management masters students who are ready to take effective roles as business leaders and professional specialists in modern organisations. They provide a supportive framework around the whole programme of masters study helping to connect together separate modules of learning and to understand the connection between academic theory and research and its practical application within the workplace. Assessment: reflective portfolio 100%

The international hospitality industry is a customer focussed, people orientated business. As such, the customer is the foundation of the service delivery system. Decision makers, in managing hospitality service delivery systems, are thus facing a managerial dilemma. On one hand, they want to satisfy the customer demands in the form of improved quality service that ensures a customer orientation. Yet, they are under increasing pressure to ensure operation efficiency. This module is designed to enhance the students' knowledge and understanding of service quality, customer satisfaction and the measurement of these within the hospitality industry. Assessment: report 100%

The role of Marketing and PR has become of increasingly vital importance to the success of Service based businesses in the 21st century; in many cases it can determine success or failure. Consumers have never had the opportunity for receiving so much information about products and services thanks to the Internet and the opportunity of gaining knowledge about various offerings at the switch of a button - gaining information on the move through 3G phones, texts, pod casts and developing technology. The pace of change is often highlighted as is the increasing sophistication of consumers. There is little doubt, that in many respects, a world wide market is becoming in reach due to these developments.
At the heart of marketing however remains the need to know what Customers and Consumers want and to have up to date knowledge of what it is they want, how they want it and how to provide them with the information they need to make informed purchases and selections. Assessment: presentation 50%; essay 50%

The independent study is a major piece of individually researched work. The work allows the student the opportunity to conduct in-depth investigation into an issue or problem derived from their previous modules. The module offers the student an opportunity to enhance knowledge developed during the programme on a particular issue, as well as an opportunity to demonstrate cognitive, practical and transferable skills gained. The module derives significantly from the Research Methodologies module. This module is necessary for the development of research skills that may be applied in an independently researched project.
Normally, the Independent Study takes one of two forms. One is as a Dissertation; the other is an extended, critical, evidence-based Consultancy Report. There may be some circumstances in which students may wish to present research work undertaken for Independent Study in different formats. In all cases the format for presentation of research material must be subject to written consent and agreement from a recognised supervisor and programme leader. The module allows students to critically analyse a theory or applied issue with rigour and detail related to their particular programme. This module also demonstrates the continuing professional development required by students that underpins the specific discipline management and signifies a greater intensity of career development required to engage in related discipline tasks. Key to the above are the ethical considerations that underpin all academic and industry research projects.
Assessment: Dissertation 100%