Literature Review and Analysis of Project Management

This assignment requires a thorough literature review and analysis of project management, incorporating research articles from various journals such as the International Journal of Project Management. The selected articles cover topics like internal stakeholder behavior, successful realisation of benefits, maximising strategic value from megaprojects, and the skills and behaviours of an effective people project manager. A total of 11 articles are included in the review, providing insights into the complexities and best practices of project management. The analysis will help identify key concepts, theories, and case studies that are essential for understanding the subject.

MANAGING A
SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Aims and objectives of a project.......................................................................................3
P2 Suitable project management plan....................................................................................1
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to provide time frame...................................3
PART 2............................................................................................................................................4
P4 Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative method.............................4
PART 3............................................................................................................................................6
P5 Data analysis by using suitable tools and techniques........................................................6
P6 Appropriate recommendations as per the research.........................................................13
P7 Reflective report..............................................................................................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Cooperative Social responsibility is said to be an important element for an organisation as
they have to face some or the other duties in the society that are to fulfilled in order to satisfy the
needs and wants of customers. In a society there are chances of arising new problems thus, it is
important that company utilises all the aspects and approaches in a proper manner (Baiden and
Price, 2011). Corporate social responsibility is the duties of the profit earning companies towards
the society, government, people, minorities of the country and environment etc. The company
should take care of the various duties that are to be accomplished by firm while working in legal
ad ethical framework of society. The Marriott hotel is working ethically and legally in the
business environment in order to gain competitive advantage and goodwill through acting
actively towards the CSR activities. In this report the connection between CSR activities and the
achievements of sustainable objective are investigated by the researcher. For the background of
the research topic it can be studied that CSR activities are having great significant in developing
higher profitability of the firm. The Marriott hotel chain is continuously engaged in developing
their corporate responsibilities to the environment and the society. The company is actively
engaged in reducing child labour practices in the business environment.
PART 1
P1 Aims and objectives of a project
Corporate social responsibility are the are the duties and responsibility of the companies
to share the some part of the profit to the society people and for protection of natural
environment. This is followed by implementing ethical and legal actions by the firm in the
functionality and operations of the firm. The company should be responsible towards the society
an people and the environment who are contributing in the increasing goodwill and
competitiveness of the organisation directly or indirectly (Bakker and et. al., 2011). This is all
the action plan as the corporate social responsibility of an business entity. Marriott is actively
engaged in delivering corporate social responsibility in the practical world. The companies is
highly active in developing various action plan in the operations in order to protect natural
environment through reducing the carbon foot-printing in the operations of organisation.

Title: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its importance for sustainability and
competitive advantage.
Aim: The aim of the research project is to implementing CSR activities within
organisations to meet sustainable objectives.
Objectives:
 The objective of the research project is to evaluating the significance of corporate social
responsibilities of Marriott hotel in growth of the firm.
 To describe the various aspects which influence the gaining competitive advantage in
marketplace by the firm.
 To analyse the influencing factors which affects attaining sustainable gaols of the
Marriott hotel in practical working environment (Beringer, Jonas and Kock, 2013).
 To determine the relationship between the CSR activities with development of good
competitive advantage of the firm and achieving all sustainable objectives of Marriott. Determining the role of corporate social responsibility of Hilton in gaining competitive
advantage in commercial environment.
Research Question
 Describe the role of Corporate social responsibilities action plan in attaining the
sustainable growth in the Marriott hotel chain?
 Evaluate the interconnection between the developing competitive advantage in
marketplace by Marriott hotel with the engagement of organisation in accomplishing
their corporate social responsibility in working environment?
 Identify the influence of the CSR activities in the internal functioning of various
operations of Marriott hotel in workplace?
 Identify various types of action plan and approaches which can be developed by Marriott
hotel in order to accomplish sustainable objectives of the organisation with
implementation of CSR action plan in particle world effectively?
P2 Suitable project management plan
Project management Plan is a kind of document that helps an organisation in executing
the project in a better manner. Therefore, for this, it is required that they monitor the
performance on a regular basis (Chang, Walters and Wills, 2013). It is used by most of the
company in order to expand the business in different areas. Thus, it is important that company
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deals with the chaos and problem that arise in the whole process of business operations. Thus, it
includes various techniques by which company can gain maximum profits. Company should
consider the various aspects which may affect the successful implementation of the action plan
of Marriott hotel in in relation to the corporate social responsibility. These aspects are defined
below:
Cost: The Marriott hotel should consider the cost that will be incurred in the research
project and useful implementation of the findings in the practice. The firm should take care of
the budgetary constraints the are able to the company to invest in the CSR activities (Doherty,
Ashurst and Peppard, 2012).
Scope: Before developing any action plan Marriott hotel executives and researcher
should develop and deep knowledge about the scope of sustainable growth of firm through
enhancing the involvement of organisation in CSR activities.
Time: The investigator should take care of the time period for which the research has to
be carried out in order to act responsibly and actively through an effective strategic plan
developed after the finding of the investigation. So, this aspects is very important to develop an
profitable action plan for the CSR activities of the Marriott hotel in practical world.
Quality: The quality of the information, data collection should be task care by the
researcher while finding out the appropriate results to the investigation theme. The company
Marriott hotel should also consider the quality standard of services that are to be delivered by the
Marriott to its customers.
Communication: It is necessary that the developed action pan related to the CSR
activities of the firm should be communicated to the employees and other stakeholders of the
company in order to implement the strategies in practical world effectively (Eweje, Turner and
Müller, 2012).
Risk: The risks associated with the CSR activities and plan of Marriott hotel should be
considered before implementing any of the actions in practice. This helps in effective
development of sustainable growth of the organisation in competitive world.
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P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to provide time frame
3

PART 2
P4 Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative method
For conducting a research there are various methods from which a researcher can make
the report more appropriate and effective. Some of the methods are given below:
Qualitative Method: In this method the researcher utilise all the sources that are
available to them for getting an appropriate results. The sources which are taken are mostly
theoretical and information is collected from primary sources so as to make the research more
authentic (Fisher, 2011).
Quantitative Method: This is considered as a systematic approach in which all the
investigation is done by optimising numerical data or mathematical support is taken so as to
make a hypothesis.
Primary Data: In this the information that are collected are those which are new and it is
done by the researcher personally. The advantages of this is that the data which are collected are
authentic and not used by any other sources (Gido, Clements and Clements, 2014).
Secondary Data: Under this, the information that are collected are through various
sources like books, magazines, newspapers, books, journals etc., therefore in this, researcher can
use different sources for making the report more effective in nature.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Questionnaire
Name:
Gender:
Age:
Origin:
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Questionnaire
Q1. Is Marriott hotel chain is respondent towards the their corporate social responsibility or
not?
 Yes
 No
Q2. Is there an significant role of CSR activities of Marriott hotel in attaining sustainable
objectives of the firm?
 Yes
 No
Q3. Is there any role of CSR activities in the gaining competitive advantage by Marriott in the
marketplace?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
Q4. To which social issue and problem the Marriott hotel is concerned for implementation of its
corporate social responsibilities activities in practice?
 Environmental protection
 Employment rights
 Women empowerment
 Child labour
Q5. What are the various benefits that can be developed from the CSR activities of the Marriott
hotel chain in practical working environment?
 Increasing goodwill of company.
 Attracting more potential customers.
 Developing good reputation in marketplace.
 Helps in gaining competitive advantage.
Q6. After what interval of time period the firm should be develop an continuous CSR activities
plan in practice?
5

Questionnaire
 Once in month
 Once in year
 After every 6 months
Q7. Is there any momentous role of government in directing the big international companies
like Marriott hotel chain to accomplish all their corporate social responsibility in the practical
business environment?
 Yes
 No
Q8. Recommend your views to which extent the Marriott hotel chain is responsive towards the
corporate social responsibility in betterment of society, environment and world people?
PART 3
P5 Data analysis by using suitable tools and techniques
In the investigator aim to carry out this particular research project is to find out significant
correlation between the two variable (Meng, 2012). In this one variable is the CSR activities
carried out by Marriott hotel while the second variable is the achievement of sustainable
objective and competitive advantage by Marriott hotel chain.
DATA ANALYSIS
This involves analysing the data collected from the primary resources through developing
an questionnaire and surveying the responses of the 20 candidates participating in the
investigation and helps in developing effective and appropriate finding related to research topic.
Theme 1: Action plan in relation to the Corporate Social responsibilities of Marriott hotel.
Q1. Is Marriott hotel chain is respondent
towards the their corporate social
responsibility or not?
Frequency
Yes 17 (85%)
No 3 (15%)
6

0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
17
3
Yes
No
From the above research data collected, it can be analysed that about 85% of the people
positively respondent to the question of the I investigator that is the Marriott hotel is responsibly
acting towards the corporate social responsibility in relation for the betterment of society and
environment. While 15% of the candidates negatively respond to the respective statement and
they believe that the CSR activities are not actively carried out by the Marriott.
Theme 2: Role of CSR activity in development of sustainable objectives.
Q2. Is there an significant role of CSR
activities of Marriott hotel in attaining
sustainable objectives of the firm?
Frequency
Yes 14 (70%)
No 6 (30%)
7

0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
14
6 Yes
No
The finder is trying to achieve an appropriate response from the respondents in order to
analyse the effectiveness of CSR activities in attaining the sustainable objectives of the Marriott
hotel in marketplace. The 70% of the participant accepted that there is an specific and important
role of CSR activity in attaining the sustainable goals of the firm effectively. From the total
candidates 30% of the people concluded that CSR activity is not effective in attaining the
objective of sustainable growth of the hotel Marriott in practice.
Theme 3: Benefits of CSR activities to Marriott hotel.
Q3. Is there any role of CSR activities in
the gaining competitive advantage by
Marriott in the marketplace?
Frequency
Strongly agree 4 (20%)
Agree 6 (30%)
Neutral 5(25%)
Disagree 3(15%)
Strongly disagree 2 (10%)
8

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
4
6
5
3
2
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
It can be analysed form the quantitative data collected from the primary resources of
information collection related to the subject matter of investigation project which will helpful in
defining the appropriate finding related to the significance of the corporate social responsibilities
in achieving competitive advantage in the Marriott hotel. 30% of the respondents agree on the
statement that CSR activities is effective in gaining competitive advantage, and 20% o0f the
participant strongly agree to the respective statement while 15% of the people denied to the
statement that Corporate social responsibilities activities of the Marriott hotel does not play any
role in gaining competitive advantage by the business organisation.
Theme 4: Significance of CSR in countering with various social and environmental issues.
Q4. To which social issue and problem the Marriott
hotel is concerned for implementation of its corporate
social responsibilities activities in practice?
Frequency
Environmental protection 6 (30%)
Employment rights 9 (45%)
Women empowerment 3 (15%)
Child labour 2 (10%)
9

Frequency
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
6
9
3
2
Environmental protection
Employment rights
Women empowerment
Child labour
From the responses of the respondents to the questionnaire it can be analysed and
determined that the Marriott hotel is responsibly acting towards the development of employment
rights in workplace and engaged in various tropes of activities to protect the natural environment
in world. About 45% of the candidates concludes that the Marriott is taking care of the
employment rights in working environment. While 30% of the candidates respond the Marriott
hotel is responsibly active in protecting natural environment through contributing highly in
corporate social responsibility in business world. While 15% of the participants believes that the
organisation is also working for empowering the women of society to provide them a better
interdependent life.
Theme 5: Role of corporate social responsibility activities of Marriott in sustainable
development.
Q5. What are the various benefits that can be
developed from the CSR activities of the Marriott
hotel chain in practical working environment?
Frequency
Enhancing goodwill of company 8 (40%)
Attracting more customers 3 (15%)
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Q5. What are the various benefits that can be
developed from the CSR activities of the Marriott
hotel chain in practical working environment?
Frequency
Gaining competitive advantage 2 (10%)
Developing good reputation in marketplace 7 (35%)
Frequency
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
3
2
7
Enhancing goodwill of
company
Attracting more customers
Gaining competitive ad-
vantage
Developing good reputation in
marketplace
The survey conducted by the researcher analyses that 40% of the participants believes
that CSR action plan of Marriott helps in enhancing the goodwill of the company in many folds.
While 35% of the candidates respondents that these activities helps in developing an good
reputation among the competitors, stakeholders and customers in marketplace. While 15% of the
people also concluded these activities of Marriott hotel helps in attracting large numbers of
prospective customers towards the company services.
Theme 6: Regularity of the action plan of Marriott with relation to implementation of CSR
activities in practice.
Q6. After what interval of time period the
firm should be develop an continuous CSR
activities plan in practice?
Frequency
Once in month 13 (65%)
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Q6. After what interval of time period the
firm should be develop an continuous CSR
activities plan in practice?
Frequency
Every year 3 (15%)
After 6 months 4 (20%)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14 13
3 4
Once in month
Every year
After 6 months
The 65% of the candidates responds that the Marriott hotel should contribute in their
corporate social responsibility actions actively once in every month which largely contribute in
providing helps to the society people and protecting environment to larger extent. While 20% of
people added that organisation should carry out these activities in every 6 month and the 15% of
the respondents suggest that firm should carry out such action plan after an year to focus on the
organisation goals as well as sustainable development objectives of Marriott effectively in
integration.
Theme 7: Responsibilities of the government in directing the company towards their
corporate social responsibility.
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Q7. Is there any momentous role of government in
directing the big international companies like
Marriott hotel chain to accomplish all their
corporate social responsibility in the practical
business environment?
Frequency
Yes 13 (65%)
No 7 (35%)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
13
7 Yes
No
The research questionnaire helps in collecting the information by the response of the
participants towards the statement which determines the role of government and regulatory
bodies in motivating the companies like Marriott to invest in corporate social responsibilities.
About 65% of the respondents totally agree on the statement that governing bodies is having
specific role in directing the organisation towards the CSR activities while 35% of the people
negatively responds to the respective statement.
P6 Appropriate recommendations as per the research
The some recommendation to this respective research topic are as follows:
 The investigator should carry out survey with large size of sample size.
 The researcher should invest more time and cost to the research matter in order to
appropriately the findings appropriately (Meredith and Mantel Jr, 2011).
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 The Marriott hotel should responsibly act towards the continuity in the strategic plan of
the CSR activities in order to enhance goodwill and gain good reputation in marketplace.
P7 Reflective report
I have learned various learning aspects from this business project which can help me in
managing the entire report in systematic way. This is the promotional and marketing option to
organise CSR activities, a company can manage their positive positioning, better work activities
as well as increase sales in the competitive market. This can avail in overall development which
is new way of promoting goods and services (Mir and Pinnington, 2014).
Despite of all above theoretical part, this report have taught to manage the systematic and
organised research project in effective manner. I have learned various parts such as organising
and collecting primary data, analysing and interpreting information, maintaining Gantt Charts,
developing Graphical report and data etc. Thus, I have learned to manage successful business
project in organised and best way.
CONCLUSION
In this particular report, it can be concluded that the corporate social responsibility helps
in gaining competitive advantage by Marriott hotel. Responsibly acting towards the duties as an
big MNCs by Marriott hotel towards the society people and environment protection activity
helps in increasing the brand reputation in marketplace. This largely helps in increasing the
brand value as well as helps in developing large customers base also. This can be concluded
from the survey carried by researcher that the government bodies is having significance in
awarding the companies about their responsibly towards the society and environment.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Baiden, B. K. and Price, A. D., 2011. The effect of integration on project delivery team
effectiveness. International Journal of Project Management. 29(2). pp.129-136.
Bakker, R. M., and et. al., 2011. Managing the project learning paradox: A set-theoretic approach
toward project knowledge transfer. International journal of project management. 29(5).
pp.494-503.
Beringer, C., Jonas, D. and Kock, A., 2013. Behavior of internal stakeholders in project portfolio
management and its impact on success. International Journal of Project Management.
31(6). pp.830-846.
Chang, V., Walters, R. J. and Wills, G., 2013. The development that leads to the Cloud
Computing Business Framework. International Journal of Information Management.
33(3). pp.524-538.
Doherty, N. F., Ashurst, C. and Peppard, J., 2012. Factors affecting the successful realisation of
benefits from systems development projects: findings from three case studies. Journal
of Information Technology. 27(1). pp.1-16.
Eweje, J., Turner, R. and Müller, R., 2012. Maximizing strategic value from megaprojects: The
influence of information-feed on decision-making by the project manager. International
Journal of Project Management. 30(6). pp. 639-651.
Fisher, E., 2011. What practitioners consider to be the skills and behaviours of an effective
people project manager. International Journal of Project Management. 29(8). pp.994-
1002.
Gido, J., Clements, J. and Clements, J., 2014. Successful project management. Nelson Education.
Meng, X., 2012. The effect of relationship management on project performance in construction.
International journal of project management. 30(2). pp.188-198.
Meredith, J. R. and Mantel Jr, S. J., 2011. Project management: a managerial approach. John
Wiley & Sons.
Mir, F. A. and Pinnington, A. H., 2014. Exploring the value of project management: linking
project management performance and project success. International journal of project
management. 32(2). pp.202-217.
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Pellegrinelli, S., 2011. What’s in a name: Project or programme?. International Journal of
Project Management. 29(2). pp.232-240.
Reich, B. H., Gemino, A. and Sauer, C., 2012. Knowledge management and project-based
knowledge in it projects: A model and preliminary empirical results. International
Journal of Project Management. 30(6). pp.663-674.
Ries, E., 2011. The lean startup: How today's entrepreneurs use continuous innovation to create
radically successful businesses. Crown Books.
Serra, C. E. M. and Kunc, M., 2015. Benefits realisation management and its influence on
project success and on the execution of business strategies. International Journal of
Project Management. 33(1). pp.53-66.
Söderlund, J., 2011. Pluralism in project management: navigating the crossroads of
specialization and fragmentation. International Journal of Management Reviews. 13(2).
pp.153-176.
Young, T. L., 2013. Successful project management (Vol. 52). Kogan Page Publishers.
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