Information Technology's Impact on Marriott Hotels: A Detailed Report

This report provides an in-depth analysis of Information Technology (IT) within Marriott Hotels. It begins with a literature review, examining ethical and social issues like cyberbullying, social networking, and internet privacy. The report then explores different types of networks (LAN, MAN, WAN) and their applications within the hotel chain, including a detailed comparison of their characteristics. Furthermore, it delves into the role of IT in management, highlighting online bookings, online job applications, and enhanced guest experiences. The analysis and discussion section emphasizes IT's crucial role in streamlining operations, improving customer service, and the importance of addressing cybersecurity threats. The findings underscore the significance of data security and the impact of IT on various departments. The report concludes by summarizing the benefits and challenges of IT implementation within Marriott Hotels, emphasizing the need for robust security measures and strategic IT management to maintain a competitive edge in the hospitality industry.

Introduction to
Information
Technology

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Literature review..............................................................................................................................3
Ethical and social issues related with technology.......................................................................3
Types of networks and comparison between them.....................................................................4
Role of Information Technology in Management.......................................................................6
Analysis and Discussion..................................................................................................................7
FINDINGS.......................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Information technology refers to usage of computers for storing, retrieving, transmitting
and manipulating information or data with respect to business. It is a business sector which deals
with computing and also include telecommunications, software, hardware and transmission of
information for facilitating communication. Marriott Hotels are present in almost 130 countries
with around 6700 properties. It provides excellent services to customers as per their feedback. It
is largest chain running in this sector. This report covers ethical and social issues which are
related with information technology. Different types of networks and comparison between them
is analysed. It also provides role played by information technology in managing activities
performed within organization.
Literature review
Ethical and social issues related with technology.
Ethical issues refers to situation where organization tends to find some alternatives to
resolve particular issue (Taylor, Fritsch and Liederbach, 2014). Social issues refers to issues
which are influencing individuals within society. Various issues are faced by Marriott Hotel in
terms of technology. They are analysed and discussed below:
 Cyber bullying: It refers to harassment or bullying which done via usage of online
electronic medium. Marriott Hotel needs to be careful about such kind of activities. They
needs to ensure that their information is protected by usage of multiple passwords. So

that even if third person get an access to that information may not be able to use it. If
cyber bullying occurs then it will have negative impact on reputation of Marriott.
 Social Networking: It refers to online platform which is used by individuals to build
social relations or social networks with other people who are present in same or different
locations. Individuals post anything on social media depending on what they feel either it
can be relevant or not relevant (Kateb and et. al., 2015). Consider an example like
specified page is made about Marriott Hotel which can contact positive and negative
comments or feedbacks of individual. If that page is hacked by an competitive intruder
then they can post all wrong things about Hotel which even do not exists. This will harm
reputation of Hotel as customers use to check feedback and reviews for particular
services. Marriott Hotel have strong customer base and they know what services are
being given to customers. So they will come again but new customers will hesitate to go
for that.
 Internet Privacy: It refers to online privacy and individual is entitled to this privacy when
information is provided stored or displayed. Marriott Hotel need to have strong systems.
They must ensure that specific measures are being taken to protect their systems and
information stored in it (Eason, 2014). If intruders get access to their systems then it will
become difficult to protect their information and intruder will have complete access to
their system. Due to this information about customers can be revealed and it will have
strong impact of Marriott Hotel.
Types of networks and comparison between them.
Network: Network refers to two or more devices which are interconnected with each
other to communicate. They are connected with each other either through wireless connections or
physical connections. Internet is best example of network which connects people world wide.
Network devices include laptops, desktop computers, firewalls, bridges, repeaters, switches,
smart phones and many more.
Types of network: Different types of network are present. They include lan, man, wan
and they differentiate with each other in terms of distance which they cover many more networks
are present like CAN (campus area network), PAN (personal area network), SAN (Storage area
network), EPN (Enterprise private network) and many more. LAN, MAN and WAN are
considered as main networks, they are discussed below:

(Source: Difference between LAN, MAN and WAN, 2019)
LAN (Local area network): Computer network which connects computer within
constricted range like within a office building or university campus, laboratory, school or
residence. LAN can be connected with other LAN's using radio waves and telephone lines. Wi-Fi
and Ethernet are two technologies used in this. This kind of network is used by Marriott Hotel to
facilitate its customer and to monitor various activities carried out within their (hotels) premises.
MAN (Metropolitan area network): Computer network which connects users with
computer resources in large region or geographic region but range is smaller than that wide area
network (Schnoll, 2015). It is used for interconnecting city into single network which later on
provides efficient connection to WAN. Marriott Hotel is present within different locations in UK
for this communication with other Hotel, they use MAN.
WAN (Wide area network): Computer network which broaden over large geographical
place. It connects wide range of small networks which includes local and metro area networks.
This ensures that people can communicate world wide (Piotrowicz and Cuthbertson, 2014).
Internet is example of wide area network. They can be connected using satellites or leased lines.
Marriott Hotel is present world wide and for efficient working efficient communication is also
required and for this they use WAN.
Comparison between types of network
Parameters Local Area Network
(LAN)
Metropolitan Area
Network (MAN)
Wide Area Network
(WAN)
Illustration 1: Basic Network LAN MAN WAN

About In this systems are
present close with
each other.
It connects systems
which are present
within different
organizations in same
city.
Two or more LAN's
and WAN's are
connected which are
present in
geographical area.
Distance Around 2500 metre Around 200 kilometre Around 1000
kilometre
Speed Max 10,100,1000
Mbps.
Typically 100 Mbps. Around 1.5 Mbps
depending on number
of users.
Technologies used Fiber optic cable,
wireless like Zigbee or
WLAN
Twisted pair, Fiber
optic cable
Twisted pair wires,
coaxial cables,
wireless cellular
network.
Applications Used in desktops,
Laptops
Used in mini
computers and desktop
Used in any device but
mainly in desktop
computers.
Role of Information Technology in Management.
Information technology plays vital role in every sector to enhance existing environment.
Hotels are using specialised services to seem more appealing and attractive to customers.
Services offered by maximum Hotels are same in a way but Hotels which have uniqueness
makes them stand out in crowd (Milgrom and Gemmill, 2015). Marriott Hotel have used
technology to reduce their tasks and attract customers.
Information technology in Management:
 Online bookings: Marriott hotels has provided their customers with this option. In this
customer can do bookings and gain knowledge about different perspectives like check in
and check out times, facilities and amenities offered and hotel rates. People are
depending on online platforms for accommodation and make things simpler for
themselves.

 Online Job applicants: Role of HR manager is to find out suitable candidates who have
desire to work with Marriott Hotel and have desired qualifications. HR manager find out
suitable candidate using different recruitment sites and analyse them as per their
qualification (Aykin, 2016). Finds them out, send them notifications and invite them for
interview using calls or emails, in this technology is involved. HR in Marriott Hotel
makes usage of system or computer present their and carries out all operation, in this
technology in involved.
 Enhanced Guest Experience: Marriott Hotel has grabbed customers attention from their
entrance till exit in website. When all details are provided within website like about
services, their rates and photographs about their premises, like rooms, external
environment. It seems pleasing to customers (Liu and Wang, 2014). It also helps Marriott
Hotel to enhance their customer base by creating pleasant image among them. Customers
can give their online feedback which will help both customers and Hotel in terms of
when customer give some suggestion, Hotel implements that and when they come back
they do not face same issue again.
Analysis and Discussion
Information Technology plays crucial role within Marriott Hotel as it acts as major factor
for which all individuals look for. As it provides simplicity in every activity and in this busy
scenario individual looks for services which are provided at single or few clicks. This helps them
to save their time. When perspective of Hotel is seen then information technology will reduce
number of employees required for doing all the formalities at time of check-in of customers
(Lloyd, 2017). As per analysis it is observed that Information Technology will help Hotel for
effective services. They can give their customers unique experiences by evaluating new
technologies and make their effective use. Attractive website, website with all information and
accurate information seems more appealing and this can be done by effective use of technology.
When technology is involved then there comes various issues, in terms of social and
ethical. Cyber crime is one of the most dangerous issue that can be faced by any organisation.
Marriott Hotel must be aware of all these specific issues which can have worse impact on their
reputation (Vaishnavi and Kuechler, 2015). If details of customers are gone into hands of third
person then intruder or third person can bully them or can misuse their details.

Marriott Hotel is present in many countries and within same country it is present at
multiple locations for which they need effective communication between different Hotels. For
this they need different types of network LAN, MAN and MAN for different purposes. LAN is
been used by them for communication within single building or within their premises. For
effective services. They have used WLAN (Wireless local area network) which will enhance
experience of customers as it provides mobility. It requires less time in installation and cost of
wires is also saved. MAN is used by them for communication between their other Hotels which
are present at different locations within same country. For this Marriott Hotel has used fiber optic
cable as it provides fast speed at longer distance and bandwidth provided is high. WAN is used
by Marriott Hotel to communicate with their Hotel which is present in other countries and for
this they make use of wireless cellular networks or internet. This facilitate Marriott Hotel to
communicate with other Hotels and also provides them effective way of communication at less
cost and with high cost.
FINDINGS
It has been found that Information technology plays crucial role in Marriott Hotel as they
are able to discuss and communicate with other premises. But if negative impact is seen then if
that information is traced then confidential information can be leaked out. And if intruder is their
competitor than they can have worst impact (Schwalbe, K., 2015). So Marriott Hotel must ensure
that all the information which are being transferred are in encrypted form and they are being
encrypted using strong passwords so that even if intruder gets access to system or information
which is being sent then also they wont be able to open it. This is worst impact of Information
Technology. Information Technology has provided variety as it has its impact on every sector,
with help of internet, cooking department can know about dishes and their recipe, on other hand
when some other department is seen within Hotel like HR department then they search for
candidates using internet (Akincilar, A. and Dagdevire, 2014) . So, it has been found that IT has
impact on every department within any organisation. Marriott Hotel used manual system for
bookings, customers come, they do enquiry and enter details in specified book and give them
bills. But know customer themselves enter details by using their own devices either phone or
laptop which save time of customers and they can utilize that time in some other work. Similarly
time of Hotel has been saved and that time can be utilized in making their guests comfortable.

On the whole if it is seen then Information Technology has smooth en way of working of
Organisation if effectively uses.
CONCLUSION
As per above report it is clear that Information Technology refers to usage of devices for
storing, retrieving and providing efficient way of communication to individuals. It has provided
effective way to make easy life of individuals in terms of work done by them. Furthermore
different networks have been analysed and it is observed that every network is specified for
some certain work like LAN is used in small area, MAN is used in particular city and WAN is
used world wide. It provides medium of communication between different individuals. Later on
ethical and social issues which are involved in technology are stated. They include social threats,
cyber bullying and internet privacy which can have adverse impact on Marriott Hotel if
necessary safety precautions are not taken by them.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Taylor, R. W., Fritsch, E. J. and Liederbach, J., 2014. Digital crime and digital terrorism.
Prentice Hall Press.
Eason, K. D., 2014. Information technology and organisational change. CRC Press.
Piotrowicz, W. and Cuthbertson, R., 2014. Introduction to the special issue information
technology in retail: Toward omnichannel retailing. International Journal of Electronic
Commerce. 18(4). pp.5-16.
Milgrom, J. and Gemmill, A. W., 2015. Introduction.
Aykin, N. ed., 2016. Usability and internationalization of information technology. CRC Press.
Lloyd, I., 2017. Information technology law. Oxford University Press.
Vaishnavi, V. K. and Kuechler, W., 2015. Design science research methods and patterns:
innovating information and communication technology. Crc Press.
Schwalbe, K., 2015. Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.
Akincilar, A. and Dagdeviren, M., 2014. A hybrid multi-criteria decision making model to
evaluate hotel websites. International Journal of Hospitality Management. 36. pp.263-
271.
Liu, S. and Wang, L., 2014. Understanding the impact of risks on performance in internal and
outsourced information technology projects: The role of strategic importance.
International Journal of Project Management. 32(8). pp.1494-1510.
Schnoll, H. J., 2015. E-Government: Information, Technology, and Transformation:
Information, Technology, and Transformation. Routledge.
Kateb, M. and et. al., 2015. An investigation on the critical factors of information system
implementation in Jordanian information technology companies. European Journal of
Business and Management. 7(36). pp.11-28.

Online
Difference Between LAN, WAN and MAN. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://blog.systoolsgroup.com/types-of-networks/>.