Business and Management Studies Assignment

This assignment appears to be a research-based project guide for business and management studies students. It covers various topics such as strategic brand management, project management, research methodologies, and corporate social responsibility. The document includes references to academic papers and books, suggesting that it is intended for use in an educational setting. The summary of the appendix section suggests that it contains a list of fictional employee profiles, which may be related to a case study or group project.

Managing a Successful
Business Project

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Aim and objectives of Hallmark Hotels...........................................................................1
P2. Project Management Strategy..........................................................................................2
P3. Breakdown framework and Gantt Chart of Time frames and steps of completion..........4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P4. Small scale research by applying the qualitative and quantitative method......................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P5. Research analysis and data using appropriate tools and techniques................................9
P6. Recommendations for implementing the CSR activities...............................................17
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................18
P7. Reflective report.............................................................................................................18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................20
APPENDIX A................................................................................................................................22

INTRODUCTION
Managing a business successfully by making effective marketing strategies and
implementation is a complex process which is often done by the project managing agents.
Management of project includes designing, initiating, implicating, monitoring work in order to
meet some specific objectives along it the help of team, for meeting success (Yang, Huang and
Wu, 2011). CSR is the activity which is performed by an organisation in society in order to fulfil
the responsibilities toward the nation and community. It believes that an organisation require to
perform social obligation along with making benefit. This is often performed to increase the
benefits by focusing over the little details of a subject or company as well as providing benefit to
the social people or local citizens of the environment in which the company is functioning. It is
different from regular activities of marketing as it requires evolutions of specifics skills and
abilities of organization which is obtained by analysing the whole situation systemically.
For managing such project Hallmark requires to take help of the CSR activities. Hallmark
is a chain of hotels which was firstly established in the year 2007 but practical evolution took
place in between 2013-2014. The company is using the technique of CSR in order to gain
consumer base and establish a unique image of organisation in the United Kingdom. In this study
for analysis, it will establish aims, objectives and several frames of time according to Hallmark.
Then the qualitative and quantitative research will be conducted in this report to understand the
CSR activities performance as well as its uses for the organisation for developing and evolving
in the market.
TASK 1
P1. Aim and objectives of Hallmark Hotels
Topic: “Implementing CSR activities within organisations to meet sustainable objectives: A case
study on Hallmark Hotels.”
Aim
The project aim to execute activities of CSR within the organization for achieving
sustainable objectives: A case study of Hallmark Hotel.
Objectives
 Pursue values including integrity, honesty, and fairness of such activities in Hallmark
Hotels.
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 Account for substantial affect or impact through increasing from business decisions or
activities in Hallmark Hotel. Pursue continuous improvement of the system for management for CSR in Hallmark
Hotels (Sparrow, 2012).
Research Questions
 How the CSR activities in Hallmark Hotels pursue values including integrity, honesty,
and fairness?
 How can hallmark hotel account for substantial affect or impact through increasing from
business decisions or activities?
 How CSR can pursue continuous improvement of the system for management in
Hallmark Hotels?
P2. Project Management Strategy
Managing time, resources, quality, risk and using proper communication tools is the
complex process used while creating a research projects. For those management of time, risk
administration, mission statement and proper interaction tools will be used for meeting the
accurate conclusion of this project (Trevino and Nelson, 2016).
Cost
Cost is the major elements which is required to be undertake by the researcher before
managing a research project. In this projects, the Gantt chart, utilization of computer and other
technologies, questionnaire allocation will be required which cost a lot of money. This project
will cost nearby 300 pound including overall collection. This is enough amount as it is assumed
by the researcher.
Scope
The project manager have to determines scope of project before implementing. Break
down framework for work, Gantt chart, small standard investigation against goals of project,
evaluation of data through proper recommendations of techniques for organization are the place
which is required to focus.
Quality
the work quality should be appropriate and effective for which the implementer is
undertaking Gantt chart, break down structure and other things. Firs the objectives of research
which is related to CSR activities of cited company required to mentioned properly. Secondly the
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data collection and analysis should be done nm proper way to get the facts about the CSR
activities.
Risk
The risk of this project is majorly completion of it on the set time. This is significant for
attaining the results through analysing, interpreting and collection of data by the deadline of time
frame. The second risk is cost management for the work. The cost is 10% higher in regard of
assignment which is assumed to be 300 pound. Over-costing of project can restrain the
completion process which is required to be controlled properly.
Time
The time of completing the project would be 55 days which is determine by the
researcher to attain the final result and submission of assignments. According to this entire
management of work process is done.
Resources
This is significant to use the resource according ton utilize them in efficient way. Here
are few resource which are essential i.e. financial, human, technological and information. Human
resource are utilized for conducting and gathering data from different plans where as financial
resources aid in operating entire study smoothly through accessing effective tools. Technologies
such as computer and printers are used for interpreting data and information is required for
accomplishing the projects in factual way.
P3. Breakdown framework and Gantt Chart of Time frames and steps of completion
Structure of breakdown determines the work by distinguishing them in little task in order
to complete that more clearly and conveniently in hierarchical form. By structuring a breakdown
chart, administration of projects can easily be done as it help in identifying the major work aid in
meeting the final outcome. This support in identifying upcoming divisions in the respected
projects to the project management team (Zhao, 2012). To complete the assignment for Hallmark
hotels, first it is necessary to understand the main deliverables in which it is eliminated in sub
groups that will assist in attaining the desired results. It is significant for Hallmark hotel as the
enterprise can conveniently segregate work and decide routine that is very useful for completing
the study. The major use of this techniques is assigning whole structure along with allocating the
time and budget which is most important part of implying any method. Moreover this also aid in
understanding the probable threats that can restrain the projects. For this, proper information and
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data of projects and assignments is required to have by researcher (Break It Down: Using the
Work Breakdown Structure to Start Projects, 2017). Thus it is essential for an organization to
manage a project breakdown before implementing the plans in functioning.
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TASK 2
P4. Small scale research by applying the qualitative and quantitative method
In order to evaluate the influence corporate social responsibility activities for meeting the
sustainable goals, both methods along with qualitative and quantitative be used. It is required to
conduct the research in both methods as it is important to understand these aspects in regard of
performance of CSR activities on Hallmarks hotels. In the qualitative research, several journals,
books, newsletters, newspapers and magazines will be read as it will helps in coming up with
then probable results of these organisation who have adopted this methods as well as articles
which have been written on the policies of government made in context of CSR practices in an
organisation (Bakker and et. al., 2011). This is every important to understand the qualitative
aspects of this research as it clears the concepts of quality and effects of this methods through the
helps of books and journal. For accomplishing these entire points of the study, examining of
secondary data necessary which is performed in literature review.
Research Design
Designing a research is plan that a researcher adopt to meet the desired results in
systematic and factual way (Basu, 2014). There are three types of research design i.e. is
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descriptive, exploratory and experimental. For this respected study, the report will be using
descriptive research design to make the project more factual and logical.
Research Philosophy
Research philosophy is used for identifying the aspects, knowledge and nature of an
analysis. Mainly these concepts of philosophy are performed i.e. interpretivism which is based
on idea of constructivism as well as pragmatism which examine the reality. The other one is the
empiricism that is concept of objectivism. This analysis will use the interpretivism for explicate
the data and information in order to seek logical and factual data or results.
Data Collection
Data collection is significant aspects of a quantitative research which help in carrying
new information about a specific project (polonsky and waller, 2014). There are two types of
data analysis in which first is primary data: study of fresh data introduced for the first time, and
other is secondary data: discovered already such as books and journal. This research will find out
new information and facts by interpreting primary data.
Sample Size
Sample size refer to the amount of people which is being undertook or represented by the
researcher for their research project. The sample size that have been used for this research is the
employee of Hallmarks Hotels. For getting the fair representation of worker, non-random
sampling methods would be used. The size of universe is 20 employee of the hotel which ave
mentioned in the Appendix. [see in Appendix 1]
Data Analysis
This is the major process assists in finding the conclusion while processing by examining
the primary data. There are two types of them thematic analysis i.e. is latent semantic. This needs
thematic techniques to meet definite results i.e. factual. To conduct this report, various types of
survey by help of these analysis will be done. This research used the graphical analyse technique
for accomplishing the desired result.
Limitations
It is very compound to conduct a research as it consumes a lot of time, money and efforts.
While the sample size is large, it become to hectic to get representation of whole universe. This
is not easy process to cover the entire place (Saunders and Lewis, 2012). Also the major issues
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that the researcher face is money and funds problems that is required for conducting a research.
These are the limitation that are being faced while performing a research.
Questionnaire
Name
Gender
Email
1. What is your position in Hallmarks Hotels as an employee ?
 Executive Manger
 Front Desk Office
 Service Worker
2. In what age criteria you come under?
 18-25
 25-30
 30 above
3. Do your Hotel perform CSR activities in the enterprise?
 No
 Yes
4. Does Corporate social responsibility practices assist in attaining competitive objectives?
 No
 Yes
5. According to your perception, do CSR practices aid in accomplishing competitive benefits?
 Strongly
 Accept
 Neutral
 Differ
 Strongly differ
6. In which areas, your organisation should perform these CSR activities?
 Safety and Security of Environment
 Women Welfare
 Child Exploitation
7. Advantages of CSR practices for your Hotel?
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 Increase in ratio of profits
 Portray better image society
 Increment in consumer base
8. Time period, within hallmark Hotels in which you work should organise these activities?
 Within a month
 In 5 months
 In a year
9. Is there any contribution of government in CSR activities, according to your opinions?
 Yes
 No
10. Recommend your hotel the ways in which they can carry out the CSR practices in the
industry?
TASK 3
P5. Research analysis and data using appropriate tools and techniques
To gather any information and data as well as interpret them, there are many tools and
methods which can be utilized. By performing quantitative and qualitative research and proper
use of accurate methodologies suitable for the business project it become more convenient to
render the procedure. This is a very sensitive work requires a great deal of caution while doing
implementing strategies. This report will state the major issues ad problems through
interpretation and collecting primary data for the research for get to the facts and statistic. Also it
will interpret the result and need of CSR activities within the cited hotel for the development
through analysing the data. Here are some techniques through the help if it can be applied:
Interpretation
Theme 1: What is your position in Hallmarks Hotels as an employee ?
1. What is your position in Hallmarks Hotels as
an employee ?
Rate
 Executive Manger 5
 Front Desk Office 5
 Service Worker 10
8

Executive Manger
Front Desk Office
Room Service Worker
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
5
5
10
Series4
Series3
Series2
Series1
In the above data it is coherent thaw the occupation of employed profile matters order to
examine the perception of people related top the respected subject of Hallmark Hotels. The
respondents were taken from various job profile worker in which 10 of the people were ROOM
service employee and 5 were both the executive manager and front desk manager of the
Hallmark hotels.
Theme 2: In what age criteria you come under?
2. In what age criteria you come under? Rate
 18-25 8
 25-30 7
 30 above 5
9

18-25 25-30 30 above
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
8
7
5
Column B
From, the above report, it is the clear the most of the respondents for the present report
were the age of 18- 25 but almost equally the age of 25- 30 were undertook by the researchers. 8
out of 20 were age group of 18- 25 and 7 employee were age between 25-30 but there were only
5 workers who were above 30. this create an image of company which includes more youth
oriented workers.
Theme 3: Hallmark Hotels are not focused towards CSR activities.
3. Do your Hotel perform CSR activities in the
enterprise?
Rate
 Yes 5
 No 15
10

Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
5
15
Column B
It is clear in graphs that from 20, 15 are those employees who agree that Hallmark hotels
is not concern with CSR activities application against the social responsibility. This is real
hazardous for the future of company as Hallmarks hotels understand that there is no special
image of brand in clients in perceptions (Pellegrinelli, 2011). This is significant for the enterprise
for playing CSR activities to portray a better recognition of organization among the society
which is important to raise in the competitive market.
Theme 4: CSR plays a significant role in
attaining competitive edge. 4. Does Corporate
social responsibility practices assist in attaining
competitive objectives?
Rate
 Yes 12
 No 8
11

Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
12
8
Column B
This graphs depicts that most of the people consider this fact that CSR is essential for the
sake of attaining the sustainable objectives of organization. It is necessary because its values te
organisational culture and helps it in developing the market. It is coherent that maximum people
are accepting the usefulness of CSR practices is essential in accomplishing aims of company.
This is not only benefit the enterprise to evolve but aids government to maintain the relationship
with their public through solving their issues (Nicholas and Steyn, 2017). Only 8 employee go
for in altering these actions in company. It is because the perception of them in regard of CSR in
development is larger and company is not able to accomplish this because it is too complex and
they have not that big budget for this activity.
Theme 5: CSR Supports in boosting company’s
competitiveness. 5. According to your
perception, do CSR practices aid in
accomplishing competitive benefits?
Rate
 Strongly Accept 14
 Accept 2
 Neutral 1
 Differ 2
 Strongly differ 1
12

14
2
1
2
1
Strong
Accept
Neutral
Differ
Strongly differ
According to the above feedback, many of the respondents strongly believes that CSR aid
in evolving the competitive position of company in industry through competing the rivals
rendering a powerful competition (Nair, Malhotra and Ahire, 2011). Majority of respondent
believes that the organization requires this because it helps in meeting the competitive
advantages which helps small business like Hallmark Hotel in developing a reputation among
society and consumers which helps in gaining client base. 20 employee agree with this facts
whereas 2 of differ believing the facts that it has no relation with the consumer base. And 2 of
them believes that it may help or may not assist in development of any firm.
Theme 6: Company must focus towards safety and security on environment as part of CSR.
6. In which factors, your organisation should
perform these CSR activities?
Rate
 Safety and Security of Environment 15
 Women Welfare 3
 Child Exploitation 2
13

Responses of questionnaire witness that the environment safety and security is more
useful areas where company can conduct these activities. This graph can help in carry out the
probable fields in which the organisation can cater CSR (Keller, Parameswaran and Jacob,
2011). 15 employee agree with this fact that environmental safety and protection is more
concerned issues in present time so it should be the focus point. 3 employee of all believes the
necessary area where the CSR is required is women empowerment and development. Whereas 2
out of 20 workers agrees with the child labours and exploitation as main problems which need
support of public. Hotel Hallmark can consider the major nature pollution as major subject on
which they can think.
Theme 7: Rise in customer base is one of the most highlighted benefits of CSR activity.
7. Advantages of CSR practices for the Your
Hotel?
Rate
 Increase in ratio of profits 2
 Portray better image society 4
 Increment in consumer base 14
14

The major focus of CSR is customer satisfaction and gaining credibility along with
forming unique recognition to make an increase in benefits. This graph depict that the CSR
activities mainly help is increasing consumer base of an organisation (Fisher, 2011). By
coordinating the CSR programmes within the society, company indirectly promote their
product's features as well as create a positive image which enables them earning the loyalty and
potential of organisation creating a better positioning. 5 out of 20 employee participants believes
that CSR practices helps in making an effective recognition of company and converting them
into brand. Whereas few of them understand the factors that the CSR build a unique reputation of
company in market.
Theme 8: Company must conduct CSR activities at least once in 5 months.
8.Time period, within Your Hotel in which you
work should organise these activities?
Rate
 Within a month 5
 In 5 months 13
 In a year 2
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In the respected graph, it can be concluded that an organization should take time of 5
month minimum for implementing a new CSR activity in market because to provide the
company time to design a strategy to make the effective outcome out of all efforts which have
been made (Eweje, Turner and Müller, 2012). 13 emloyee respondents are agreed with
coordinating these activities within every 5 months which is a good idea. 5 of them believes that
the CSR activities should be performed in every month facilities a support to society to come
over from routine issues as well as it keeps reminding people about the brand. Whereas two of
them understand that enterprise should go for CSR programmes within a year as it is expensive
process require a large budget.
Theme 9: Government makes a significant input in the CSR activities.
9. Is there any contribution of government in
CSR activities, according to your opinions?
Rate
 Yes 14
 No 6
16

Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
14
6 Column B
The contribution of government is such activities are detectable, as maximum
respondents relives on this. Maximum responder agrees that the government helps an
organisation in organising such activities in regard of betterment of their public. The profits can
be in from of subsidies in taxation amount etc. 6 of the worker respondents believes that there is
no role of state in these activities and organisation have to voluntarily make their own efforts,
there is no benefits that Hotel Hallmarks will get from these activities.
P6. Recommendations for implementing the CSR activities
The concluded report was examined in regard of CSR activities performance impact on
Hallmark Hotels in order to attract mass number of consumer for the evolution of customer base
and establish a different recognition company in services industry (Doherty Ashurst and
Peppard, 2012). But to attain this development, cited company have to attempt these CSR
activities in an effective way. This is very important to perform the appropriate method of social
responsibility which enables the firm to lead in the achievements levels. Hallmarks Hotels can
optimize various techniques of CSR practices to implement in the society in which few are
briefed as below:
1. Safety and security of Environment
Environment pollutions and nature impurity increased as the major issues which is world
suffering in the recent time of industrialization and technologies. UK citizens are more concern
about the environment and related problems in which most people are eco-friendly. Hallmarks
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hotels can use this as an opportunity and option to perform the CSR activities in the sector of
nature security and safety (Crane and Matten, 2016). They can come up with some rules and
limitation among their office workforce in order to protect the surroundings. This step will helps
the government of nation and aware the public in regard of their nature protection as well as
create an effective impact at international levels.
2. Child Welfare and Exploitation
Child trafficking and exploitation is also a major problems that entire world is dealing
with. Through protecting the rights of children by providing them shelter, food as well as
working with the government for solving the issues related to them, company can raise tier
standard and organise such activities. Also the company can contribute in NGOs who desperately
need some funds for the development of those kids. Hallmarks hotels can share some part of
their overall revenues in the NGO to grow in market. For such work even government of a
country help enterprise in growing in the industry. It is also helpful for hotel for initial steps of
CSR.
3. Women Empowerment
Women empowerment is the required field which issue most countries faces such as S.
Africa, India, East Asia and many other. Hallmark hotel can contribute their revenues in
betterment of women to those countries which do not allow women to get education and exploit
their rights. The can attempt this by sharing some part of funds in NGO which not only help
organisation in creating an national image but also create an global recognition of enterprise. The
organisation can support the campaign of women empowerment, start a camp-sign or support
those women in the countries in which they have not get the chance to study. Women are the
leading body of the entire industry, which can strengthen the positioning of entire Hallmark
Hotel as well.
TASK 4
P7. Reflective report
From the above report, I have learnt various aspects of business and performing a
research in a systematic way. It is coherent that the role of CSR activities is very significant in
order to develop in market and create a positive recognition rather than other companies. It help
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new start-ups and small companies in evolving in the competitive market as well as meeting the
sustainable objectives through providing a strong consumer base.
Despite of knowledgeable and theoretical aspects regarding to the subject of the study, I
have learned to conducts the analysis knowing the entire steps of a research. Also, it lessoned me
methods through which investigation from books and journal is made. There are many sources of
gathering secondary data, but it is required to identify the relevant content related to specific
subject.
Besides, I learnt to accomplished research in less time because the given time is lower
than the aggregate days of completing a research. Also, I got the knowledge of many things such
as the software through which interpreted the data and information. It was the assistance of
proper software and graphics techniques which have helped me finishing the project so
effectively. This was a time for me to develop my skills and abilities in an effective way through
which I have experienced a information based lesson.
CONCLUSION
This report conclude that it is signifiant for Hallmark hotels to perform CSR activities in
order to sustain in the market. These activities not only assist the organization in gaining
consumers but also aid in evolving the competitive advantages by facilitating the services to the
society. Moreover, this research also clears that every enterprise have their own reason or
organising CSR activities. In the case of Hallmark hotel, it is essential for creating a better image
of company in society. The CSR activities will be more effective in the area of environmental
issues and child education to aware communities and people. So related to these areas, the
company can organise the activities and conducts some guideline for monitoring the environment
of working according that.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Crane, A. and Matten, D., 2016. Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and
sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press.
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
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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-
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Keller, K. L., Parameswaran, M. G. and Jacob, I., 2011. Strategic brand management: Building,
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Polonsky, M. J. and Waller, D. S., 2014. Designing and managing a research project: A business
student's guide. Sage publications.
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guide to planning your project. Pearson.
Scherer, A. G. and Palazzo, G., 2011. The new political role of business in a globalized world: A
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Sparrow, E., 2012. Successful IT outsourcing: from choosing a provider to managing the project.
Springer Science & Business Media.
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Trevino, L. K. and Nelson, K. A., 2016. Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do
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it right. John Wiley & Sons.
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Zhao, M., 2012. CSR-based political legitimacy strategy: Managing the state by doing good in
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Online
Break It Down: Using the Work Breakdown Structure to Start Projects. 2017. [Online].
Available through: <http://nexightgroup.com/break-it-down-using-the-work-breakdown-
structure-to-start-projects/>. [Accessed on 23rd September 2017].
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