- Research Project (Pearson-set)
This unit is assessed by a Pearson-set assignment. Students will choose their own project based on a theme provided by Pearson (this will change annually). The project must be related to their specialist pathway of study (unless the student is studying the general business pathway). This will enable students to explore and examine a relevant and current topical aspect of hospitality in the context of the hospitality environment and their chosen specialist pathway.
The aim of this unit is to offer students the opportunity to engage in sustained research in a specific field of study. The unit enables students to demonstrate the capacity and ability to identify a research theme, to develop research aims, objectives and outcomes, and to present the outcomes of such research in both written and verbal formats. The unit also encourages students to reflect on their engagement in the research process during which recommendations for future, personal development are key learning points.
On successful completion of this unit students will have the confidence to engage in problem-solving and research activities which are part of the function of a manager.
Students will have the fundamental knowledge and skills to enable them to investigate workplace issues and problems, determine appropriate solutions and present evidence to various stakeholders in an acceptable and understandable format.
- Hospitality Consumer Behaviour and Insight
This unit is designed to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of the consumer’s decision-making processes, from needs recognition through research, the evaluation of alternatives, purchase and post-purchase evaluation. While students will learn the underpinning theories and frameworks, they will also be expected to relate these to real-world examples, including their own personal experiences.
An important part of marketing is understanding the processes behind how a consumer makes the decision to purchase a product and/or service.
The knowledge, understanding and skill sets that students will gain on successfully completing this unit will enhance their career opportunities; whether setting up in business independently or being employed by a hospitality organisation.
This unit provides a broad overview of facilities management and develops students’ ability to use relevant knowledge, ideas, and skills to compose procedures and methods to address operational issues. The unit prepares students to take responsibility for planning and delivering solutions by practicing autonomy and to make the best judgements in the operations at a management level. The students will gain specialised knowledge to utilise, with critical and independent thinking, to deliver the best results and develop strategies for managing and running businesses effectively.
The unit focuses on in-depth knowledge and essential skills to run the business effectively in a wide variety of contexts. These contexts include change management, people management, managing Health and Safety in the work place, outsourcing strategies, work place productivity, supplier relationships, benchmarking best practices, importance of quality, negotiation skills, sustainability and environmental management.
Students will critically analyse and discuss one of the fastest-growing industries around the globe. They will acquire a varied range of skills enabling them to illustrate regulatory obligations that have an impact on the facilities and how they are run. The unit aims to equip students with skills such as strategic planning, research, critical evaluation and presentation skills, as well as leadership and people management skills.
- Tourist Resort Management
The purpose of this unit is to give students an opportunity to explore the world of tourist resorts. Firstly, they will learn about the different types of resorts that exist in the world and focus on some of the management issues that are associated with managing them. Secondly, the students will focus on understanding the difference between an all-inclusive resort and an individually priced resort and the financial challenges that this brings.
Finally students will be expected to focus on a specific location of their choosing, they will then research a specific resort type of their choice and identify the type of customers that visit the location and why. Focusing on the consumer needs, students are then to produce a creative package tailored to the resort, outlining how the resort would be priced ensuring that the business would be profitable and how it would win business against local competition.
Students will be able to use the knowledge gained during this unit to help in a career as a general hotel manager or business entrepreneur.
- Hospitality Business Strategy
The aim of this unit is to develop students’ awareness of the different kinds of strategy which could be used in an operational, tactical or strategic role for a hospitality organisation. This will be underpinned by a thorough knowledge and understanding of the theories, models and concepts which could significantly support an organisation’s strategic choice and direction.
On successful completion of this unit students will have developed sufficient knowledge and understanding of strategy to make a positive, efficient and effective contribution to the development of business plans and operational direction. This could be in the role of a junior manager responsible for having a specific input into an organisation’s decision-making and planning.
- Customer Value Management
This unit is designed to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of why it is important for marketers to enhance and manage the value of the customer interactions. Students will learn the underpinning theories and frameworks, and will also be expected to relate these to real-world examples, including their own personal experiences.
Organisations ideally seek a mutually beneficial relationship between themselves and their customers. This is particularly important when considering the costs associated with acquiring a new customer. It has been suggested that it can cost five times as much to gain a new customer as it is to retain an existing one.
Moreover, there is no guarantee that a new customer will be as loyal as a current one. Any organisation, whether for profit, non profit organisation (NGO) or a charity, seeks ways of retaining customers through enhanced customer experiences.
In order to retain loyal (and profitable) customers, organisations seek to understand them better. By understanding customers through the capture of relevant data, organisations can enhance a customer’s lifetime value. They then aim to build a relationship with the customers where they remain loyal and continue to purchase a range of products/services.
The knowledge, understanding and skill sets that students will gain on successfully completing this unit will enhance their career opportunities; whether setting up in business independently or being employed by an organisation.
The aim of this unit is to develop a student’s understanding of the influence culture, politics and power have on the behaviour of others in an organisational context.
Students will be in a position to apply the principles of organisational behaviour to a variety of business situations.
On successful completion of this unit students will have an understanding and awareness of key influences which affect the behaviour of individuals, teams and organisations as a whole. They will be able to use this knowledge to make an immediate and positive contribution in the workplace, whether that role is as part of a team or as a team leader. This will be achieved through a strong appreciation of working in a team, having a more profound perspective of what makes people and organisations do what they do, and how to adjust one’s own behaviour to reflect the circumstances and situation.
Upon successful completion of Second Year, student is awarded an HND (Higher National Diploma) at EQF/MQF Level 5 by Pearson.
