Assignment No. and type:

CW1: Individual Report (3000 words)

Assessment weighting:

100%

Submission time and date:

Submission Date: 14^th May 2024

Time: 14:00

Target feedback time and date:

Feedback Date: 28^th May 2024

Assignment task

For this assignment, you are required to choose a UK-based hospitality organisation and critically evaluate its approach to sustainability and governance, by investigating their latest Governance and/or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports. You will have to choose 3 different sustainability issues, to include one environmental, one social and one economic and assess how the organisation responds to national and international regulations, as well as to pressure from key stakeholders, including media and civil society. Your analysis should refer to theoretical sustainability frameworks as well as to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Your report should provide substantiated recommendations as to how the organisation could improve its responsibility and sustainability practices.

Indicative Structure:

1. Introduction (250 words)

Provide a brief overview of the organisation (including values, mission statement and approach to governance and/or CSR). Include an overview of regulatory and business environment, in relation to sustainable practices. Refer to theoretical frameworks that underpin your analysis.

2. Aim and objectives (150 words)

State the aim and objectives of your report.

3. Main body (2000 words)

Provide a critical analysis of the organisation’s approach to sustainable practices, by taking into consideration at least one example for each dimension of sustainability (social, environmental, economic). Your analysis should include the extent to which hospitality industry in general and your chosen organisation in particular contribute to each of the chosen sustainability issues; the impact that your chosen sustainability issues have on the industry’s profitability as well as on the organisation’s profitability; and the importance of corporate sustainability management. You should break down this chapter into sections and sub-sections, as suitable for your analysis.

4. Conclusion (200 words)

A critical conclusion, identifying key issues emerging from your analysis.

5. Recommendations (400 words)

Based on the key issues identified in your report, you should provide recommendations on how the organisation should adapt and develop its approach to sustainability in order to meet not only regulatory demands, but also the demands of customers, shareholders, media, and the civil society.

Your report should be of 3000 words (+/- 10%) and should include:

- A cover page

- Abstract/Executive Summary (300 words – not included in the word count)

- Table of Contents

- Headings and subheadings as per the indicative structure provided above

- Appendices (not included in the word count). All tables, diagrams, pictures etc. should be presented as appendices.

Assessment Criteria:

Your report will be assessed based on:

• Depth of evaluation and analysis of concepts associated with sustainability and corporate responsibility.
• Critical assessment of key strategies and policies that are and could be adopted by businesses in order to manage sustainability and corporate responsibility.
• Understanding of the importance and need for sustainability management – and various approaches to implementation, including a critical assessment of potential positive and negative impacts as related to all three dimensions of sustainability management
• Integration of relevant theories, concepts, and real-world examples.
• Overall structure, coherence, and quality of writing.

This assignment has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your achievement of the following module learning outcomes:

LO1 Critically analyse the concepts associated with sustainability and corporate responsibility.

LO2 Explain the need for corporate sustainability management and how appropriate sustainability management approaches can be formulated and implemented

LO3 Identify and evaluate key strategies and policies that can be adopted by businesses in order to manage sustainability and responsibility changes

Practicalities: Referencing, presenting and submitting your work

Please see your programme handbook for information on the standard referencing style, presentational requirements and process for submitting your work.

Referencing Style:

• Please ensure that your work is referenced according to the [Harvard referencing System] style, as defined in Cite Them Right Online (https://www.citethemrightonline.com/).

Convention for Presentation:

• Your report should be well-structured, with clear headings for each section.
• The report should be formatted in Arial or Times New Roman Font 12 and in double-line spacing and justified margins.
• Ensure that your analysis and evaluations are supported by relevant examples and references.
• The total word count for the report is 3000 words (+/-10%) (excluding executive summary/abstract, reference list and appendices).
• Submit your report in digital format (e.g., Word document or PDF) to the designated submission platform by the specified deadline.

Submission:

• • Submit your report in digital format (e.g., Word document or PDF) to Blackboard in the Submit Your Work section by the specified deadline.

Confidentiality

You are expected to take responsibility for maintaining and managing confidentiality issues in your work. You should maintain and respect confidentiality in relation to the protection of personal, technical and/or commercial information of a sensitive nature in your assessed work, whatever the format.

For further information and guidance, please see the relevant section in your programme handbook.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity means taking responsibility for your own work.

When you submit an assignment, you are making a declaration that it is your own work and that you have acknowledged the contribution of others and their ideas in its development (for example, by referencing them appropriately).

For further information and guidance, please see the University website: https://www.bnu.ac.uk/current-students/registry-helpdesk-and-academic-advice/academic-integrity-and-misconduct. HM602 – Sustainable Hospitality Management

Introduction, aim and objectives (10)

Absent or significantly lacks clarity in setting the context and purpose of the report.    

Vague or limited introduction that partially outlines the purpose of the report. Vague or not relevant aim and/or objectives.               

Introductory content present but lacks strong engagement with the topic. Aim and objectives are outlined but could be more developed.

Introduces the report`s purpose and context with moderate clarity. Well-developed aim and objectives.

Provides a clear introduction that highlights the importance of the subject matter and engages the reader effectively. Aim and objectives are very well developed and contextualised.

Presents a compelling introduction, demonstrating a deep understanding of the subject`s significance and capturing the reader`s attention. Excellent contextualisation of aim and objectives.

Exceptional introduction, effectively outlining the report`s purpose, context, and captivating the reader from the outset. Aim and objectives are critically developed and contextualised.

A critical evaluation of concepts associated with sustainability and corporate responsibility – and the extent to which the hospitality industry contributes to each of the sustainability issues chosen (LO1) (20%)

This should include evidence of critical assessment of theoretical concepts and regulatory sustainability frameworks, as applied into practice.

The evaluation is very weak, or non-existing It fails to demonstrate the ability to identify relevant sustainability issues that are associated with the hospitality industry.

Shows basic understanding of relevant sustainability issues and does not fully elaborate on the extent to which the industry and organisation contributes to various dimensions of sustainability.

Provides simplistic explanations, minimal insight, and an ineffective evaluation of relevant issues.

Displays satisfactory understanding of relevant sustainability issues and the extent to which industry contributes to various dimensions of sustainability.

Presents a basic evaluation of theoretical concepts and regulatory sustainability frameworks.

Demonstrates a good understanding of relevant sustainability issues and the extent to which hospitality industry contributes to various dimensions of sustainability. There is good evidence of a critical evaluation of theoretical concepts and regulatory sustainability frameworks, with some practical application.

Exhibits very good understanding of relevant sustainability issues and the extent to which hospitality industry contributes to various dimensions of sustainability. Provides a very good, insightful, and critical evaluation of theoretical concepts and regulatory sustainability frameworks, with meaningful application to real world practice.

Displays excellent understanding of relevant sustainability issues and the extent to which hospitality industry contributes to various dimensions of sustainability. Presents an excellent, highly critical evaluation of theoretical concepts and regulatory sustainability frameworks, with excellent application to real world practice. LO1 Critically analyse the concepts associated with sustainability and corporate responsibility.

Demonstrates outstanding understanding of relevant sustainability issues and the extent to which hospitality industry contributes to various dimensions of sustainability.

Presents a highly insightful analysis, that is thoroughly informed by latest research. 

Analysis of management and implementation of sustainability approaches at the three different levels (economic, social, environmental) (20%) (LO2)

This should include evidence of understanding the need for corporate sustainability management, and real-world application and implementation of relevant theoretical and regulatory frameworks.

Demonstrates inadequate understanding of sustainable development and its importance for the industry, environment and society.

Fails to acknowledge the importance of sustainable management and potential positive and negative implications of specific management approaches.

Displays basic understanding of sustainable development and its importance for the industry, environment and society.

Limited acknowledgement of the importance of sustainable management and real-world application. No meaningful links to regulatory and theoretical frameworks.

Shows acceptable understanding of sustainable development and its importance for the industry, environment and society.

Some recognition of the importance of sustainable management and real-world application.

There are some links to regulatory and/or regulatory frameworks, but these are only marginally explored.

Demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of sustainable development and its importance for the industry, environment and society.

Presents a balanced analysis of real-world sustainability management approaches, with adequate critical evaluation.

Acknowledges the importance of sustainable management and real-world application.

Provides a balanced and fairly critical evaluation, with good links to regulatory and theoretical frameworks.

Exhibits a good understanding of sustainable development and its importance for the industry, environment and society.

Provides insightful analysis of real-world sustainability management approaches demonstrating a very good, critical evaluation.

Recognises and critically articulates the importance of sustainable management and real-world application.

Provides a comprehensive and critical evaluation, with very good links to regulatory and theoretical frameworks.

Displays very good understanding of sustainable development and its importance for the industry, environment and society.

Offers comprehensive analysis of real-world sustainability management approaches, showcasing advanced critical evaluation.

Clearly illustrates the importance of sustainable management and real-world application.

Provides sophisticated evaluation with insightful links to regulatory and theoretical frameworks, and an exceptional critical analysis.

Demonstrates excellent understanding of sustainable development and its importance for the industry, environment and society.

Presents sophisticated analysis of real-world sustainability management approaches, demonstrating exceptional critical evaluation.

Profoundly highlights the importance of sustainable management and real-world application. Presents a highly insightful analysis, that is thoroughly informed by latest research, theoretical, and regulatory frameworks.

Identify and evaluate key strategies and policies that are currently being adopted/applied by businesses in order to manage sustainability and responsibility changes – with links to the three different dimensions of sustainability (LO3) (20%)

This should include evidence of a critical analysis of real-world sustainability approaches including positive and negative contributions to environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainability.

Fails to identify organisational strategies and approaches to sustainable development. Provides inaccurate or irrelevant analysis of real-world sustainability management approaches, with no critical evaluation.

Provides some partially relevant insights into current organisational strategies and policies, but the data provided is either insufficient or inadequate. Presents a superficial analysis of real-world sustainability management approaches, lacking depth and critical evaluation.

Demonstrates the ability to extract and discuss relevant strategies and policies that are adopted and applied into practice.

Provides reasonable analysis of real-world sustainability management approaches, with some evidence of evaluation that may require a more critical approach.

Provides evidence of a meaningful discussion related to relevant strategies and policies that are adopted and applied into practice.

Provides a good analysis of real-world sustainability management approaches, with some good evaluation of positive and negative implications, considering all three dimensions of sustainability.

Showcases a very good discussion related to relevant strategies and policies that are adopted and applied into practice.

Provides a very good, insightful analysis of real-world sustainability management approaches, with a very good evaluation of positive and negative implications, considering all three dimensions of sustainability.

Displays excellent understanding and critical analysis of

relevant strategies and policies that are adopted and applied into practice.

Provides an excellent analysis of real-world sustainability management approaches, with an informed, critical evaluation of positive and negative implications, considering all three dimensions of sustainability.

Demonstrates exceptional understanding of relevant strategies and policies that are adopted and applied into practice.

The analysis of real-world sustainability management approaches is exceptionally insightful, with an exceptional evaluation of positive and negative implications, considering all three dimensions of sustainability.

Conclusions and Recommendations (10%)

Delivers an incomplete or unsatisfactory summary of key points, lacking coherence and structure.

Fails to provide meaningful recommendations for improvement.

Displays poor organisation and limited linkage of ideas in the conclusion.

Provides a basic summary of key points with limited coherence.

Offers general recommendations for improvement, lacking specificity.

Demonstrates some coherence in the conclusion, with room for improvement in organisation.

Delivers an adequate summary of key points with reasonable coherence and clarity.

Presents relevant recommendations for improvement, indicating understanding of key issues.

Exhibits coherent and organised conclusion, with potential for enhanced organisation.

Provides a satisfactory summary of key points with clear coherence and clarity.

Offers specific recommendations for improvement, demonstrating sound understanding.

Presents a well-structured conclusion, indicating thoughtful organisation of ideas.

Presents a very good summary of key points with strong coherence and clarity.

Offers detailed recommendations for improvement, indicating a high level of understanding.

Exhibits a highly organised conclusion, effectively summarising and concluding the plan.

Delivers an excellent summary of key points with exceptional coherence and clarity.

Provides comprehensive recommendations for improvement, showcasing exceptional understanding.

Presents an expertly organised conclusion, effectively summarising and concluding the plan.

Delivers an outstanding summary of key points with exceptional coherence and clarity.

Provides highly insightful recommendations for improvement, showcasing profound understanding.

Presents an exceptionally well-structured conclusion, powerfully summarising and concluding the plan.

Structure and Presentation (10%)                                                                                              

Extremely poor organisation and presentation, making it difficult to follow the portfolio`s flow. Numerous errors in grammar, spelling, and formatting.

Organisational issues and poor presentation affect the portfolio`s coherence. Multiple grammar, spelling, and formatting errors present.

Adequate structure and presentation, though improvements could enhance clarity. Some errors in grammar, spelling, and formatting.

Clear and coherent structure with effective presentation, aiding the reader`s understanding. Minimal errors in grammar, spelling, and formatting.

Well-structured and professionally presented portfolio, facilitating a smooth reading experience. Few minor errors in grammar, spelling, and formatting.

Highly polished structure and presentation, contributing to a professional and engaging portfolio. Virtually no errors in grammar, spelling, and formatting.               

Flawless structure and presentation, enhancing the overall impact of the portfolio and demonstrating meticulous attention to detail.

References and Citations (10%)

Missing or inadequate referencing and citations.                                                                                

Limited or inconsistent referencing and citations, indicating gaps in research and support.

Adequate referencing and citations, though improvements are needed for accuracy and consistency.

Competent use of referencing and citations, providing proper support for the portfolio`s content.

Skilful integration of references and citations, enhancing the portfolio`s credibility and depth.

Exemplary use of references and citations, showcasing extensive research and seamless integration of sources.

Impeccable referencing and citations, highlighting a thorough research foundation and masterful integration of external sources.