Impact of Ethical Practices and Exploitations in Hospitality Industry: A Case Study on Hilton

This research aims to analyze the impact of ethical practices over the hospitality sector, along with the ways to deal with different forms of exploitations. The study focuses on Hilton as a case study. It evaluates the importance of ethical practices, different types of exploitations, and recommends ethical policies to avoid exploitations.

BUSINESS AND
MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Reviewing themes and key publications......................................................................................3
Aims Objectives and research questions......................................................................................6
JUSTIFICATION AND CONTEXTUALIZATION.......................................................................6
Importance of the research...........................................................................................................6
Reasons why the findings of the research are important.............................................................7
H ow the research will build on the existing body of evidence?.................................................7
Is it timely? Does it respond to an existing need? What makes it so?.........................................8
Research Methodology-...................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Business and management is concerned with the ways in which a business functions in
the market. The course of business in the market is wide and therefore includes various human
resource management, business studies and other management studies. In today's world
businesses are growing as fast as they can with different advancements, out of which, one of the
fastest growing sector is the hospitality industry as people nowadays love to travel new places
and explore more and more. The hospitality industry is engaged in providing qualitative services
and beautiful experiences to the people all around the world. It is also the most contributing
sector in UK's economy. But, it is not always desirable to work in a hospitality industry as there
are various exploitations that take place in this sector and which can literally cause harm to the
staff working in that particular area. Every business should adopt ethical practices in their culture
as it contributes to the productivity, create trust and also establishes customer loyalty. For the
current proposal, the business organization selected is “Hilton”. The hotel offers a beautiful
experience to its customers and provide the best services at very reasonable prices. The hotel has
become a brand and operates in almost 94 countries, which results in great revenue generation
for the company. Hilton has around 584 hotels and over 216,379 bedrooms. This proposal will
illuminate the ethical issues that arises in hospitality industry, various exploitations that take
place in the hotel and research technique and tools used to analyse the issue.
MAIN BODY
Reviewing themes and key publications
Theme1 Ethical practices
According to Skinner, H., (2018) ethical practices are referred to the application of values
in an organization. Inconsiderate of the organizational type, it is one of the most important factor
in a business's environment, be it in an internal environment or external environment. This is
something that creates a brand image in front of the entire market. For any business that wishes
to be successful and hold good in the market, should always adopt ethical practices in its
environment as it helps in maintaining positive environment at the workplace. The author also
emphasizes on the hospitality business to be the top most business that follows ethics and values.
But as per the views of Omelan, A.A. and Raczkowski, M., (2020) the hospitality industry is that
sector of the economy, where there are various issues and concerns related to the ethics and
values. The author also emphasizes on the entire hospitality industry to adopt different ethical

theories that can help in keeping the image of this industry safe and the environment of the
existing business organizations positive and healthy. In order to develop good ethical practices,
two theories can be used namely: deontology theory and Virtue ethics theory. Deontology theory
focuses on judging a person's action according to the set rules of the place. The theory
emphasizes on making two kind o rules imperfect duties and perfect duties. The perfect duties
are the one that are inflexible and is mostly says either you have killed a person or you haven't,
there is no other way around. But the imperfect rules are flexible, they can be adjusted. Where
many business focuses on deontology theory, Arnold, D.G. and Bowie, N.E., (2019)
clearly oppose the theory and says there are various situations that arises in a place. Sometimes
the decision has to be taken according to the situation and for that the theory does not hold good.
The other theory is Virtue ethics, which completely holds good for every organization in the
hospitality industry. It is the theory that focuses on an individual to follow all the ethical
examples and behave with utmost dignity, positivity and honesty. The theory creates a good
workplace environment as every person follow ethical examples such as diligence, compassion,
responsibility and honesty in their work. This will change environment of the hospitality industry
and will decrease the rate of ethical issues.
Theme2 Influence of non-ethical and ethical practices
According to Freeman, R.E., Parmar, B.L. and Martin, K., (2020) the businesses in the
hospitality sector are facing huge crisis of management as, most of the workers in the inner
environment of the organization do not follow the ethics and values that they should be
following. In this sector various laws are being violated and also various rules are being violated
that are created by the hotels themselves. This is becoming a huge reason behind the failure of
hospitality sector and why the people are not able to completely rely on the hotels. The author
also emphasizes on hotels to follow at least the laws that are created by the government and be
flexible with the hotel rules and laws. There is no compulsion of following ethical practices in
this industry, but the hotel should definitely follow the laws that are created by the government
and only this can rejuvenate the image that has been completely brought down. Whereas,
Schwepker Jr, C.H. and Dimitriou, C.K., 2021 emphasizes on, to increase the productivity of the
hospitality industry and to make a good image of the entire hospitality sector the businesses
should follow and abide all the laws as well as the rules that are created by the hotels. In order to

be successfully and build trust the workforce should follow all the policies of the hotel as that
will establish a goodwill of the following hotel in the market. The author says that adopting
ethical practices in the structure of hospitality industry will Mold the entire environment of the
industry. These practices gain the customers loyalty which is a great factor of success. The hotels
can adopt the ethical practices and minimize the losses, rebuild the trust with their suppliers,
maintain a good team of efficient employees and increase the overall productivity of their
establishments. With the ethical practices in place, the entire environment of the hospitality
establishments can maintain positivity. This also becomes a great help for the hospitality industry
in attracting new clients to their business, in attracting the investors, retaining the customer,
increasing the share value in the market and also enlarging the customer base in the market.
Thus, according to the author ethical practices are a must follow, be it the ethical laws of the
nation or be it the hotels policies, every other ethical practice should be followed in an
organization's environment as that will increase the productivity of the whole industry.
Theme3 Types of exploitations
As per the views of Schwepker Jr, C.H. and Dimitriou, C.K., (2021)
most of the establishments in the hospitality industry are indulged in labour exploitation.
Inconsiderate of the organization's size or scale, it is the major issue that arises frequently and
therefore is harming the image of labour job role. The author focuses on many hotels that are
contributing the most to the economy, are being very irresponsible towards the labours. They are
doing the exploitation in various forms, where some establishments are paying extremely low to
their workforce, the others are making them work for the extra times and are not counting the
working hours and compensating them accordingly. Not just this, some businesses also use
violence and mentally abuse the workers. The labour exploitation is becoming very common in
big enterprises. To which, French, S., (2018) states that labour exploitation is definitely one
exploitation that is done in the entire hospitality sector but there are various other exploitations
also, that are done. Some times even the labours are the ones who do not follow the ethical
practices that they should be following. The labours are extremely indulged in theft issues,
dishonest cleaning, providing unhygienic supplies to the customer and various other things. So,
labour exploitation is definitely one exploitation that is been done in the hospitality sector but
yes there are various other exploitations that are done by the labours only, and thus, it goes both
ways. The author also focuses on how these non ethical practises should be stopped as they are

harming the image of the whole hospitality sector and destroying the goodwill that has been
created in the past years. All these practices are not appreciated and are also exploiting the
structure of the industry and playing with the customers' loyalty, which is a very important factor
that should be considered by each and every organization that is working in this industry.
Aims Objectives and research questions
Aim
To analyse the impact of ethical practices over hospitality sector, along with the ways to
deal with different forms of exploitations. “A case study on Hilton”
Objectives
 To develop an understanding about the concept of ethical practices
 To evaluate the impact of ethical issues in Hilton
 To determine different forms of exploitations
 To recommend ethical policies in order to avoid exploitations
Research questions
Q.1 What are ethical practices?
Q.2 What is the importance of ethical practices in a hospitality industry?
Q.3 What are different types of exploitations done in hospitality industry?
Q.4 How can exploitations be avoided in the internal environment of the business?
JUSTIFICATION AND CONTEXTUALIZATION.
Importance of the research
This research that has been conducted in particular is very necessary and is also relevant
as well. There are many major reasons because of which the research is crucial. The necessity is
not only for the company but also for the overall environment in particular (Loreggia. and et.al.,
2018). This research specifically shows or presents why ethical thinking in particular is
necessary for companies in current or present times or situations. Through this research the
environmental conditions and the meaning and the need of ethical thinking from the perspective
of the companies or the businesses that operating within the society is understood. Also, this

research will motivate other companies and the Hilton hotels as well to implement or apply
better ethical principles mainly in the hospitality sector in particular. Also, through this research
the diverse forms and aspects through which the ethics that have been implemented within the
company are exploited are understood and evaluated. Which will help the companies in taking
precautions from such exploitative risks that will harm the performance and the goodwill of the
companies in the long run. This will enhance the positive environmental impact and will also
allow better revenue generation and customer inclination.
Reasons why the findings of the research are important
The research basically helps in finding that if people or the customers of the company
think that the company is following ethical principles or not. And do they personally know the
meaning and the importance or relevance of the ethical principles for the society and the
environment in particular. Through the findings of this research in particular, the understanding
regarding the importance of ethical principles is also specifically identified. Also, the findings
will make the companies more inclined towards implementing more ethical principles which will
help or support in more revenue or profit generation in the company in long run and it will also
increase the traffic towards the company. The two major requirements and goals that a business
wants to achieve will be achieved by evaluation and understanding of the findings of this
research in particular. The findings of this research in particular are not only relevant for the
progress and development of the company or other companies in the hospitality sector
specifically but also it is majorly important and relevant for the betterment of the environment.
And also, for evaluating the forms of exploitations hindering the ethical principles of the
company.
H ow the research will build on the existing body of evidence?
Research will be going to build on the evidences that are already been built as researcher
will be using the secondary as an important part while conducting this study. Though, researcher
uses primary data through the technique of samples but still there is still lot that can not be done
in because of constraint of time and at the end researcher has to relay on the secondary data that
is available on various sites and various platforms. Using the secondary data ensures relevancy
of the research type and it helps researcher to find the best outcome or the result of the problem
that is been the centre of this research. The evidences collected throughout the process of
research will be helping researcher in order to understand what are ethical principles and

different issues that are been raising in hotel industry and this evidences will be going to support
the aim of the research which has been inclined towards impact of ethical principles over
hospitality sector. The existing body of the evidences and the new evidences that has been found
during the research of this study has definitely increased the outcome of the study as the
evidences has been found in such a way that it both support each other.
Is it timely? Does it respond to an existing need? What makes it so?
Because of the issue of time constraint researcher has used qualitative approach of
research as it consume less time than the quantitative approach (Allan, 2020). The research is
definitely respondent to the need of the society as ethical practices are something that should be
developed in every perspective of the society. Ethical practices includes honesty, integrity,
fairness and understanding on the point of an individual. This research and study in whole deals
with the approach of the ethical policies. The case of the hotel industry and how it deals with the
cases of exploitation are perfect example to innovate policies regarding the ethics that will be
going to enforce effective communication as well. The above facts clearly says that it has
respondent to the existing need of the society.
Research Methodology-
Research methodology is the way that explains how the research will be carrying out the
process of research (Pandey, and Pandey, 2021). The aim of research methodology is to conduct
research carefully ensuring proper outcomes of the research. This is logical and systematic plan
to conduct research or to resolve the problem of research. The Research Methodology will be
presenting proposed methodology that will be used in order to perform this study. It includes-
Research type-
Research type is basically defined as the different technologies that will be use while
conducting study for the research proposal. Type of Research includes two type of research
qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative research is the research that deals with number while
qualitative research is define as the research that deals with meanings and experiences (Mohajan,
2018). For this study, the researcher will be using qualitative type of research in order to
understand the concept of ethical theories and impact of ethical issues over Hospitality sector.
The advantage of using quantitative research is that it relies on concrete data rather than
variables that is going to be useful while conducting research ethical practices.
Research approach-

Research approach is defined as plans and procedures on the basis of which research will
be conducted. The research approach includes deductive and inductive kind of approach. The
aim of inductive approach is to develop a theory while the approach of deductive aims at existing
theory in order to conduct study. For conducting this study, the research will be using Inductive
approach in order to evaluate different type of ethical issues over hospitality sector. Inductive
approach will help qualitative study of research type as it begins with setting empirical
observation and theorizing those patterns (Woiceshyn and Daellenbach, 2018). The induction
research approach will make study easier as it connected with qualitative research type.
Research philosophy-
The research philosophy is defines as the ways in which data will be collected and
interpreted in order to conduct study carefully. Research philosophy includes two kinds of
research philosophy Interpretivism and positivism (Hürlimann, 2019). Positivism research
philosophy uses social surveys, structured questionnaire and different type of statistical data in
order to conduct study while interpretivism philosophy focus on research that is based qualitative
research type. The unstructured interviews and participant observation are part of interpretivism
philosophy. The researcher will be using positivism philosophy in order to support qualitative
type of research for this study as it also relies on scientific methods with cause-effective
relations.
Data collection-
Data collection can be gathered from two sources primary and secondary. Primary data
define as the data generated by the researcher while secondary data deals with data that has been
collected earlier (Zhou, and et.al., 2018). For conducting this study, this researcher will be
conducting survey on 20 regular consumer of Hilton in order to find the different forms of
exploitation and ethical issues that are being faced in hotel industry. Researcher will also be
using secondary research in order to conduct research properly with all the aspects.
Research and validity-
Research validity is defines as the extent to which the concept can be accurately
measured in the quantitative study. The validity aspect of research can be ensured by taking
articles, papers and secondary data that has been released after 2015. The relevant topics will be
going to taken into consideration while conducting research on analysing the impact of ethical

practices over the hospitality sector. Validity of study will be making sure proper outcomes of
the study.
Research limitation-
Limitation of time, money and unavailability of the resources is the limitation that is
related with this study. Constraint time frame was the reason behind taking qualitative research
as quantitative research demands time. The size of sample is also another limitation during
conducting this research. Research limitation narrows the scope of research which could have
been done on large scale on larger size. Study on ethical nature could have been wider if there
was no such limitation during this study on hospitality sector.
Ethical consideration-
For addressing the ethical aspect of the study, the consent form will be sending to all the
respondents that will be taking part in survey while collecting primary data for better study of
this research proposal. This is going to show willingness of individual to participate in survey.
Additionally, all participants can avoid question that do not feel comfortable to answer while
process of survey.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
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In Proceedings of the 2018 AAAI/ACM Conference on AI, Ethics, and Society (pp.
222-222).
Mohajan, H.K., 2018. Qualitative research methodology in social sciences and related subjects.
Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People .7(1). pp.23-48.
Pandey, P. and Pandey, M.M., 2021. Research methodology tools and techniques. Bridge Center.
Zhou, D., and et.al.,2018. A survey on network data collection. Journal of Network and
Computer Applications .116. pp.9-23.
Hürlimann, C., 2019. Research Philosophy and Ethics. In Valuation of Renewable Energy
Investments (pp. 111-126). Springer Gabler, Wiesbaden.
Woiceshyn, J. and Daellenbach, U., 2018. Evaluating inductive vs deductive research in
management studies: Implications for authors, editors, and reviewers. Qualitative
research in organizations and management: An International Journal.
Allan, G., 2020. Qualitative research. In Handbook for research students in the social sciences
(pp. 177-189). Routledge.
Skinner, H., 2018. The impact of cultural values and economic constraints on tourism
businesses’ ethical practices. International journal of tourism cities.
Omelan, A.A. and Raczkowski, M., 2020. Unethical consumer practices in the perception of
hospitality industry employees. Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism. 27(3). pp.34-39.
Arnold, D.G. and Bowie, N.E., 2019. Ethical theory and business. Cambridge University Press.
Freeman, R.E., Parmar, B.L. and Martin, K., 2020. BUSINESS AND ETHICS. In The Power of
And (pp. 129-140). Columbia University Press.
Schwepker Jr, C.H. and Dimitriou, C.K., 2021. Using ethical leadership to reduce job stress and
improve performance quality in the hospitality industry. International Journal of Hospitality
Management. 94. p.102860.
French, S., 2018. Between globalisation and Brexit: Migration, pay and the road to modern
slavery in the UK hospitality industry. Research in Hospitality Management. 8(1). pp.23-31.
Ruban, D.A., 2021. Natural Resources of Tourism: Towards Sustainable Exploitation on a
Regional Scale. Sustainability. 13(12). p.6685.
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