Research: Digital Technologies in Crisis Management at Waterside Inn

This research project investigates the integration of new digital technologies into crisis management, focusing on The Waterside Inn restaurant. The aim is to understand how these technologies play a vital role in managing crises, particularly those arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives include identifying the importance of digital technologies in hospitality, assessing current practices at The Waterside Inn, exploring the relationship between digital technology and crisis management, and recommending strategies for improved crisis management. The research employs a positivism philosophy and a deductive approach, using a survey strategy to gather quantitative data from Waterside Inn employees. It examines themes such as communication enhancement and operational optimization through digital tools, referencing literature on crisis management in the hospitality sector. Ultimately, the project aims to provide actionable recommendations for The Waterside Inn to mitigate the negative impacts of crises through effective use of digital technologies.

PHigher National in Hospitality Management
Unit 18 Research Project
RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORM
STUDENT DETAILS
Section One : Research Title, Aim and Objectives
Research Title: …Integrating new digital technologies into crisis management. a research
project on The Waterside Inn restaurant. ……………………………………….
Research Aim :
The aim of this project is to investigate about the vital role of integrating new digital technology in
effectively managing the crisis lead out by the covid-19. A research project on the Waterside Inn
restaurant. ……………………………………………………………
Research Objectives (How do you want to achieve this aim. At least three/four objectives).
To achieve this aim, the following objectives have been proposed.
i. To identify the importance of new digital technologies within the hospitality sector.
……………………………………
ii. To assess the current practices of the Waterside Inn restaurant to attract and cater larger
number of customer and manage crisis. …………………...
iii. To investigate the relationship between the integrating new digital technology and crisis
management within the Waterside Inn …….
iv. To be able to recommend better strategies for the Waterside inn restaurant to have more
effective and better crisis management to mitigate and overcome the negative impact of
covid-19. ……
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Research Questions (convert each objective above into a research question)
i. What is meant by the concept of integrating new technology along with analysis of its
importance within hospitality sector?
ii. What are the current practises of the Waterside Inn restaurant to attract and cater
larger number of customer and manage crisis?
iii. How a vital role is played by the integrating new digital technology in effectively
managing the crisis lead out by the covid-19 that is reflecting the relationship
between these two variable?
iv. What possible recommendation can be made for Waterside inn restaurant to have
more effective and better crisis management to mitigate and overcome the negative
impact of covid-19?
Section Two: Research Rationale and Scope
Rationale/Justification for the Topic: this should briefly cover the following three areas.
The selection of current research topic based on the topic of the Integrating new digital technologies
into crisis management is rationale as it supports better understanding about the latest and recent
digital technologies that is supporting and leading out effective crisis management (Durst, Acuache
and Bruns, 2021). Further, it has been analysed based on the literature that many challenges and
issues are being created by the covid-19 within the hospitality sector in form of sudden lockdown
and closer of many business operations. Therefore, it is vital and effective to analysis about the ways
that can be adopted by the hospitality sector to mitigate and become these changes. Apart from this,
the selection of current topic is tending to be rationale and suitable from the personal view point of
researcher as it supports creation and generation of higher understanding level along with better
development of research skills. Along with this, current study also supports the better future
opportunity and development of the researcher as it tends to supports and leads to better
understanding about the concept of crisis management along with leading and supporting improved
managerial skills and competency (Barykin and et. al., 2021). Along with this, current research
project also tend to lead and support the tactical benefits for the researcher in form of the leading a
practical experience of undertaking and conducting a research work that is supporting better career
and efficient knowledge creation for researcher and other scholars.
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Research Scope: this should briefly cover the following.
The geographical area of the current project would be Berkshire, England, UK that is focused on
conducting and leading out investigation within the Berkshire branch of the Waterside Inn restaurant
to gather and collect information for current project. The main target group of the current study
would comprise of the employees and worker of the Waterside Inn restaurant to collect and gather
the relevant information about the selected topic. Apart from this, the main theories and themes that
are includes and involved in this particular study tend to comprises and includes of the importance of
new digital technologies within the hospitality sector along with assessing the current practices of
the Waterside Inn restaurant to attract and cater larger number of customer and manage crisis. (Zou
and Zhao, 2021) Beside this, a discussion and investigation about the relationship between the
integrating new digital technology and crisis management within the Waterside Inn is also made
together with applying the themes and theory to effectively recommend better strategies for the
Waterside inn restaurant to have more effective and better crisis management to mitigate and
overcome the negative impact of covide-19.
Section three : Preliminary Literature Review
The Literature Review, at this stage of the research process, does not have to be critical literature
review but each reviewed source should cover the following
To identify the importance of new digital technologies within the hospitality sector.
As per the view point of the Max, M., 2021, It has been seen and analysed that the use of the new
digital technology are tend to be important and effective for the hospitality sector as it tend to
support the improved communication level along with enhancing the capability and competency
level of organisation. It has been seen that making use of the digital technology comprises of
Internet of things and other digital and online channels tend to allow and support the hotels to have
save in there cost along with optimising their business operation as well as supporting better human
interference (Wirtz, Müller and Weyerer, 2021).
To assess the current practices of the Waterside Inn restaurant to attract and cater larger number
of customer and manage crisis.
The Waterside Inn restaurant tend to be located and situated in the Bray, Berkshire, England, was
founded by the brothers Michel and Albert Roux after the success of Le Gavroche (Rayburn,
Anderson and Sierra, 2021). It is currently run by Michel's son, Alain and has three Michelin stars,
and in 2010 it became the first restaurant outside France to retain all three stars for twenty-five
Unit 18 Research Project Proposal–
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years. The current business process of the Waterside inn restaurant tend to includes and comprises of
the use of traditional business operations along with effective restaurant business model that
generates higher business service and also supports the better crisis management. The current
practises and operation of the Waterside Inn restaurant comprises of preparing of food, customer
services along with cleaning and accounting of raw material to enhance the revenue and satisfaction
level of customers (Tortorella and et. al., 2021).
To investigate the relationship between the integrating new digital technology and crisis
management within the Waterside Inn
With respect to the information provided by Saide, S. and Sheng, M.L., 2021, it has been seen that a
positive relationship exists between the integrating new digital technology and crisis management
within the Waterside Inn as the use of digital technology supports higher efficiency and efficient
business operation. Digital technology comprise of the use of IoT and other vital technology that
supports improved communication and effective interaction level between various business
operation and function thus supports and leads to positive impact on the business crisis and
management (Wang and Wu, 2021).
To be able to recommend better strategies for the Waterside inn restaurant to have more effective
and better crisis management to mitigate and overcome the negative impact of covid-19.
According to the view point of the Wut, T.M., Xu, J.B. and Wong, S.M., 2021, it has been seen that
the covid-19 has created many issues in form of sudden lock down and strict social distancing norms
that created a negative influence on the motivation level of customers leading decrease productivity
for hospitality sector. Thus, making efficient use of digital technology and online channels supports
more effective communication and interaction with customer to attract and cater their interest to
mitigate and overcome the negative impact of the covid-19 (Barykin and et. al., 2021).
Section Four: Overview of Research Methodology:
Discuss in short your research methods, philosophical approaches, research design e.g
qualitative/quantitative/mixed, research sample and sampling techniques.
Research philosophy: In addition to this, there are two forms and main type of research the
philosophies that is tend to comprises and includes of the interpretivisim as well as positivism.
Research philosophy that used and applied for conducting current research project is tend to be the
Unit 18 Research Project Proposal–
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positivism. This help in collecting as well as supporting better analysing numeric data without any
issues through supporting systematic project that help in attaining valid and reliable results.
Research approach: The two forms of research approaches are inductive and deductive
approach out of which the use of the deductive research approach will be used by researcher as it
gives quantitative data and supports better testing and scanning of facts which leads to development
of positive results (Zou and Zhao, 2021).
Research strategy: The types of research strategies are survey, case study and many more.
For the present investigation, Survey research strategy is used as it facilitates investigator in
gathering & analysing quantitative and primary information in less time period as compared with
other form of research strategy. Further, survey strategy also tends to comprises of the use of
questionnaire as research instrument that supports easy collection of data from a larger number of
participants in cost and time efficient manner.
Research choice: It is a process of collecting qualitative or the quantitative data. As per the
topic, quantitative research choice is useful and appropriate as it help investigator in gaining
information in less cots & also give reliable and valid outcomes in form of gathering information in
numeric terms (Wirtz, Müller and Weyerer, 2021).
Data collection- For conducting present investigation, primary & secondary method will be
used. In order to collect primary information, questionnaire is developing and the main reason of
selecting this is it assist in gathering in-depth data on topic which leads to achievement of valid and
reliable results that is directly collected from the participants. For gathering secondary data, various
articles is taken as it help in getting knowledge collected by professionals.
Sampling: 25 employees of the Waterside inn restaurant will be selected by the help of
random sampling that would tend to supports better underrating as the selecting employees is
suitable as a sample size is they have knowledge about company policies, strategies and so on
(Rayburn, Anderson and Sierra, 2021).
Ethical Aspect of Study
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See Ethics Form below
SECTION FIVE: BREAKDOWN OF ACTIVITIES AND TIMESCALE
Include a Gantt Chart to reflect your research planning.
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Submission
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background
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project
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secondary
sources of
information
for research
project
Complete research
methodology and
collect primary and
secondary sources of
information
Complete
collecting
data for
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study and
present the
result
Determining
Budget
Data
Interpretatio
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analysis
Evaluating
results and
findings
Complete
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the final
report
List of References : References used so far (using Harvard referencing style)
Max, M., 2021. Traditional organizations and crisis management in transition—Organizational
perspectives on new dynamics of independent civil engagement. Journal of contingencies
and crisis management, 29(1), pp.2-11.
Saide, S. and Sheng, M.L., 2021. Knowledge exploration–exploitation and information technology:
crisis management of teaching–learning scenario in the COVID-19 outbreak. Technology
Analysis & Strategic Management, 33(8), pp.927-942.
Barykin, S.Y and et. al., 2021. Digital technologies for personnel management: Implications for open
innovations. Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 20, pp.1-14.
Wut, T.M., Xu, J.B. and Wong, S.M., 2021. Crisis management research (1985–2020) in the
hospitality and tourism industry: A review and research agenda. Tourism Management, 85,
p.104307.
Durst, S., Acuache, M.M.G.P. and Bruns, G., 2021. Peruvian small and medium-sized enterprises
and COVID-19: Time for a new start!. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies.
Zou, Y. and Zhao, W., 2021. Neighbourhood governance during the COVID-19 lockdown in
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Hangzhou: coproduction based on digital technologies. Public Management Review, pp.1-19.
Wirtz, B.W., Müller, W.M. and Weyerer, J.C., 2021. Digital pandemic response systems: a strategic
management framework against Covid-19. International Journal of Public
Administration, 44(11-12), pp.896-906.
Rayburn, S.W., Anderson, S. and Sierra, J.J., 2021. Future thinking continuity of learning in
marketing: A student perspective on crisis management in higher education. Marketing
Education Review, 31(3), pp.241-255.
Tortorella, G.L. and et. al., 2021. Impacts of Healthcare 4.0 digital technologies on the resilience of
hospitals. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 166, p.120666.
Wang, W.T. and Wu, S.Y., 2021. Knowledge management based on information technology in
response to COVID-19 crisis. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 19(4), pp.468-
474.
Student Declaration
I confirm that the proposed Research Project is not work that has been or will be submitted for
another qualification or by another student and is appropriate:
Student Name and Signature: Date:
Comments and Agreement from Tutor
Comments:
I confirm that the project is not work that has been or will be submitted for another qualification and
is appropriate:
Agreed: (Name) (Date)
Research ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the
use of data, collected from human participants, may be required to gain ethical
approval before commencing their research. Please answer all relevant questions
and note that your form may be returned if incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your Unit Tutor.
Unit 18 Research Project Proposal–
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Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with your
Unit Tutor. Please complete this form in good time before your research project is due to
commence.
Student Details
Student Name Student ID
Section Two: Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as part of your project:
Interviews
Questionnaires ✔
Observations
Use of Personal Records
Data Analysis
Action Research
Focus Groups
Other (please specify)
Unit 18 Research Project Proposal–
Spring 2021
Section One: Basic details
Project Title:

Section Three: Participants
Will your research involve human participants? Yes
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply
Ages 12-16 Adults:
How will participants be recruited (identified and approached)?
Through making use of random sampling.
Describe the process you will use to inform participants about what you are
doing:
Through making use of e-mails
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it
be made clear to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at
any time?
Consent is collected through signing consent form of participants.
Studies involving questionnaires: Will participants be given the option of omitting
questions they do not wish to answer?
Yes:
Unit 18 Research Project Proposal–
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✔ No
✔
Young people aged 17-18:
✔ No:

If No, please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues
arising from this:
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for their
informed consent to be approved.
Yes:
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation? (e.g. give them a brief
explanation of the study)
Yes:
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study? (This could be
a summary of your findings generally)
Yes:
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No: ✔
✔ No:
✔ No:

Section Four: Data storage and security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with
the Data Protection Act (1998)
Yes:
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
During the research
Where will the data be stored?
Data will be stored in the form of DOC document.
Will mobile devices, such as USB storage and laptops, be used?
Yes:
If yes, please provide further details:
After the research
Where will the data be stored?
Data will be stored in the form of DOC document.
How long will the data and records be kept, and in what format?
Will the data be kept for use by other researchers?
Yes:
If yes, please provide further details:
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✔ No:
No:
No: