Research Project: Sustainability Impact on Supply Chain (Ritz Hotels)

This research project investigates the effects of sustainability on supply chain management, specifically within the hospitality industry, using The Ritz Hotels as a case study. The project begins with a research proposal outlining the aims, objectives, research questions, and the reasons for selecting this topic, including its relevance to current events and the researcher's skill development. The project will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining primary and secondary research, including a literature review to identify existing gaps in knowledge and inform the research methodology. The research methodology section details the research philosophy (positivism and interpretivism), approach (deductive), strategy (survey), choice (quantitative), time horizon (cross-sectional), and sampling technique (probability sampling). Data collection methods will include primary and secondary research, considering cost, access, and ethical issues. The project will also address data analysis techniques and the communication of research outcomes, along with reflection on the appropriateness of the chosen methods and potential alternative methodologies. A Gantt chart is included for time management and a detailed timeline for the project's completion. The project aims to identify the impact of sustainability on supply chain management during the COVID-19 pandemic, analyze challenges, and propose solutions for improving supply chain resilience and performance within the hospitality sector.

Research Project

Table of content
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................2
TASK 1...........................................................................................................................................2
P1 Produce a research proposal.................................................................................................2
P2What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why? What
your areas of research will cover:................................................................................................7
TASK 2...........................................................................................................................................8
P3. Conduct primary and secondary research using effective methods for a business research
project which consider costs, access and ethical issues...............................................................8
P4. Apply effective analytical tools to determine research findings.........................................11
TASK 3.........................................................................................................................................20
P5. Communicate outcomes related to research in an appropriate manner for intended
audience.....................................................................................................................................20
TASK 4.........................................................................................................................................21
P6. Reflect on appropriateness of methods of research that is applied on achieving objective of
research in hospitality research project......................................................................................21
P7. Determine alternative methodologies related to research and lessons learnt by outcomes.22
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................24
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................25
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INTRODUCTION
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
TASK 1
P1 Produce a research proposal
Research aim: “To identify the effects of sustainability over supply chain management during
pandemic situation of COVID-19.” A study of The Ritz hotels.
Research Objectives:
 To examine conceptual framework of supply chain management within hospitality industry.
 To investigate the impacts of sustainability over supply chain management of The Ritz during
COVID-19 situation. To determine the challenges faced by The Ritz in their supply chain management during
COVID-19.
Research questions
 What is the conceptual framework of supply chain management within the hospitality sector?
 How researches impact the sustainability over the supply chain management of respective
hotel considering COVID-19 situation? What are the challenges which are faced by hotel in their supply chain management during
COVID-19?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other subjects you are studying, personal interest,
future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important):
The main reason behind the selection of current topic is to analyse the impact of sustainability over
the supply chain management of hotel at the time of COVID-19. It is the main reason behind
organising suitable research for company. For this, the current research is regarding the significance
of an individual, company and so on that helps in identifying the suitable effects of sustainability
within an organisation by considering and analysing several situations (Sarkis, 2020). For this, the
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present study is described by the researcher to improve their research skills like time management,
communication, data collection and so on. Hence, the present study depicts the significance for all
the stakeholders that play an important role in research.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
Literature review is the important section of research project as it is useful in order to collect
secondary details on the subject of the impact of sustainability over the supply chain management.
For this, there are various sources of collecting secondary details via books, peer-reviewed and so on.
These methods are useful for the researcher in order to collect data from the earlier research. For this
the suitable objective of literature review is to identify the prominent gap within the current study.
As per the study, the literature gap is about the impact of sustainability over supply chain
management over the performance of business. Within the previous studies, lot of information is
useful regarding the objective but it also has shortage or missing of information about the impact of
sustainability in order to improve the business performance. It is the suitable gap for overcoming and
fulfilling the needs of research questions which is explained as underneath:
Examine conceptual framework of supply chain management within hospitality industry
According to Bastas, A. and Liyanage, K., (2019), Supply chain management is the term which
is useful in exploring the development of company and also treated effectively within the emerging
market with the collective set of ideas. Supply chain refers to the combination of suppliers of the
company and also deals with the coordination of manufacturing activities among several decision-
making units. In relation with Ritz hotel supply chain management needs to develop the unique sense
of dedication and commitment that drive by the leadership of the local owners and also tends to
provide quality products with the friendly environment (Sharma and et. al., 2020). Moreover, the
supply chain of Ritz hotel is quite complex regarding the direct and indirect suppliers as they reach
to manage the complex system by working with direct suppliers in order to share the vision and
values of company for the sustainable supply.
Investigate the impacts of sustainability over supply chain management of The Ritz during COVID-
19 situation
According to Krzywoszynska, A., (2019), the sudden diffusion of covid-19 pandemic tends to
outbreak the result for the total economic disruption of the supply chain management of hospitality
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sector that leads to cause significant elimination within the revenue and creating liquidity issues for
all the operators. In regard of this the objective is to understand the role of relationship management
among the hotel chain their supply chain management in terms of overcoming from the economic
destructions which is caused by the pandemic. In relation with Ritz hotel the outbreak of COVID-19
situation put negative impact over the sustainability and supply chain management of company as the
restaurants theme parks Cinemas hotels complexes shopping malls and so on got shut down that put
disruptive impact over dog hospitality sector and its ecosystem.
Challenges which are faced by hotel in their supply chain management during COVID-19
According to Hobbs, J.E., (2020), Covid-19 forces many companies and industries to rethink
and transform their supply chain model by exposing various organizations regarding their
dependencies. In relation with Ritz hotel the prominent challenges which is faced by Hotel is about
the shortage of visibility within the supplier operations regarding the sharing of information across
the supply chain which is the key to neglect potential demand supply issues. Moreover, by
considering the information which is required to be shared with all the supply chain stakeholders
regarding the logistics decisions that are made and also helpful for the businesses in terms of
operating more efficiently (Karmaker and et. al., 2021). Along with this in order to mitigate this issue
regarding the short-term supply chain the leaders need to work in order to create transparency for the
fast responsibilities. As it is the best way for Ritz hotel to use Technology platform that bring
manufacturers and suppliers collectively for the visible collaboration.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g research,
development and analysis of ideas, writing, data collection, numerical
analysis, tutor meetings, production of final outcome, evaluation,
writing the report):
Aim and objectives
Literature review
Research methodology
Data collection
Data analysis
How long this will
take:
12 Days
15 days
20 days
25 days
30 days
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Conclusion and recommendations
Submission of final report
8 days
3 days
Milestone one: ___Literature review ________
Target date (set by tutor): _____03-02-2021_______________
Milestone two: ___Research methodology____________________
Target date (set by tutor): ______24-02-2021________________
Gantt Chart
Gantt chart is the suitable time management tool which is useful for the investigator by offering
significant information regarding the ending and starting data for each and every activity. For this,
the suitable Gantt chart of the present project is discussed as underneath:
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Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
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What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why? What your areas
of research will cover:
Research methodology depict as the prominent concept of research as it offers suitable research in
order to collect things and analyse the suitable data considering any sort of topic. For this, onion
research framework is effectively applied by undertaking several layers. For this, all the layers of
onion framework is discussed below: Research philosophy: It undertake the significant process which is applied at the time of
collecting and analysing information undertaking the topic. For this, the two suitable
philosophies are used for research which are interpretivism and positivism. For this, both the
kinds of philosophies are important in regard of analysing the impact of sustainability in
supply chain management as positivism type is prominent philosophy which is opted by the
researcher (Ivanov, 2020). For this, it is facilitated by investigator in order to collect things
and also leads to evaluate the data by quantitative method within minimum period of time. Research approach: It is the main procedure for analysing collected details and information
by inductive and deductive approach. For this, the main approaches are analysed as per the
impact of sustainability in supply chain and deductive approach is more valuable as it is
useful for researcher in order to evaluate things by quantitative information in given period of
time. Research strategy: It is essential for the researcher in order to collect information by
considering the suitable research strategy. For this, there are some of the suitable strategies
like survey, action research, case study and so on. For this, all of the suitable strategies are
undertaken as per the research project and survey which is the main strategy which is being
opted by the researcher (Sharma, Adhikary and Borah, 2020). For this, the reason behind the
selection of survey strategy is to ease researcher by offering suitable details and information
in given period of time. Research choice: For this, it depicts the two basic options which are available for the
researchers undertaking qualitative and quantitative. As both the suitable choices of research
are as per the topic and for this, quantitative method is opted by the research which is more
valuable as it depicts the effective collection of numerical information is easy form. Time Horizon: Time is the essential factor for the research project as it leads to depict the
completion of overall project in given period of time. For this, there are two suitable sections
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of time horizon like cross sectional and longitudinal. It undertakes the main approaches of
time horizon but as per the topic, cross sectional approach of time is more important for the
researcher as it leads to support them in an effective manner in stipulated period of time. Sampling: It is the process of opting suitable respondents from the total population by
undertaking probability and non-probability sampling. These are the suitable techniques but
as per the project, probability sampling is the suitable technique which is being opted by the
researcher (Ivanov, 2020). For this, the main reason behind selecting probability sampling is
to effectively support larger sample in given period of time. By probability sampling, 50
employees of Ritz hotel is opted on the random basis.
 Data analysis: It is the suitable process to identify the data by research analytical tool as by
undertaking the project, frequency distribution is an effective technique which is opted by the
investigator. As per this technique, the researcher will need suitable making of the overall
frequency distribution table that result in the identification of quantitative information in
systematic and on time.
TASK 2
P3. Conduct primary and secondary research using effective methods for a business research
project which consider costs, access and ethical issues
There are different methods included in context of gathering information in an
appropriate form. Data collection is an effective process of collecting information from the
reliable sources to identify a solution to the research problem. The main methods of data
collection are primary and secondary research (Bremdal and et. al., 2018). These tools allow
researcher to conclude an answer to the reliable and accurate answer. The explanation of these
methods is as below:
Primary method- This kind of data collection tool is analysed an appropriate form of
gathering information. In this process, the researcher will responsible to collect pure and first
hand information with the support of different sources such as survey, group discussion,
experiment and interviews etc. Therefore, it is an effective technique which is important and
essential because it provides efficient information which is needed to conduct research in
appropriate and adequate form.
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Secondary method- It is another crucial method of data collection which is considered by
researcher in context of collecting and assembling relevant data within less time period. This
method supports in collecting and gleaning information about the specific topic of the research
document. There are several sources and tools such as article, journals, books, magazines, online
sites, government websites and many more. The data which is collected by the investigator
through secondary source is already accessible in the market and also used by others in order to
accomplishment of their work (Wegleitner, Schuchter and Prieth, 2020). In addition to this,
within current research, the individual will focus on using different scholars, articles and journals
in term of gleaning information which is crucial in delivering data that is reliable ad valuable for
the accomplishment of research at specific time duration.
Cost- It is one of the key and most important as well as valuable aspect because in the
absence of it, primary as well as secondary research cannot be conducted in more effective and
efficient way. In context of performing and organising primary and secondary research, the
investigator will require sufficient amount of fund because due to having enough finance they
can use different source of data collection and collect reliable information which will support in
completion of the research by providing data about specific area of research. Also, due to having
adequate money, the person can visit one place to another in term of collecting data by
questionnaire and collect pure and deep information regarding research topic. In context of
performing and organising primary and secondary research, the investigator will require
sufficient amount of fund because due to having enough finance they can use different source of
data collection and collect reliable information which will support in completion of the research
by providing data about specific area of research.
Access- It can be determined as another aspect which is included for executing secondary
and primary research in significant and systematic form. Within it, the researcher has complete
access regarding the collection of information from selected population or representatives. Also,
they have access to gather data in computer system for long time (Wang and et. al., 2020). It is
analysed that this tool supports and helps investigator in organisation of both primary as well as
secondary research in an appropriate manner.
Ethical issues-It is most important for researcher to assure and analyse that all the ethics
or ethical principal are included during the time of executing or conducting investigation. In
order to execute each and every task of primary and secondary research, ethical issues and
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complexities must be considered. The ethical problems in context of anonymity, informed
consent, respect for discretion, respect for privacy and many others. To get over these kinds of
issues and problems, researchers must do each and every activity of study in an ethical form. If
the researcher will not make focus on these kind of problems than it will affect the validity and
reliability of the information as well as ethnicity.
Questionnaire- It denotes and refers as a document that has a number of questions
related to the research topic in order to collect appropriate information with the aim of
accomplishment of research project in developed form. Generally, it is known as a research
instrument which involves of a set of questions or other types of prompts that purpose to gather
data from a respondent. A research questionnaire is basically a mix of close ended questions and
open ended questions. The information which is gathered through questionnaire can be both
qualitative and quantitative in nature. A questionnaire may or may not be delivered in context of
a survey but a survey always considers a questionnaire (Suprapto, Nandyansah and Mubarok,
2020). With the support of it, individual can collect information by making direct
communication and interaction as well as with the selected unit of responders through which
they can collect fresh data and content.
Questionnaire
Q1. Do you have understanding about the concept of supply chain management?
(a) Yes
(b) No
Q2. As per your opinion, in which manner sustainability create impact on supply chain
management?
(a) Optimistic impact
(b) Negative impact
Q3. Do you agree that sustainability of supply chain management make regularity
contribution in the development of business enterprise?
(a) Yes
(b) No
Q4. What is the conceptual framework of supply chain management within the hospitality
sector?
(a) Management of supply chain activities
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(b) Take benefits of consumer value
(c) Attain a sustainable competitive benefit
Q5. How researches impact the sustainability over the supply chain management of
respective hotel considering COVID-19 situation?
(a) Environmental impact
(b) Risk
(c) Waste costs
Q6. What are the challenges which are faced by hotel in their supply chain management
during COVID-19?
(a) Lack of risk management
(b) Ineffective supplier relation
(c) Inexperience workforce
(d) Unforeseen delays
Q7. What is the importance of the sustainability in supply chain management?
(a) Improved productivity
(b) Cost effectiveness
Q8. What is the effective ways that can be considered by the hospitality organisation in
order to promote sustainability in the market?
(a) Support green vendors
(b) Focus on creating a value proposition
(c) Minimising waste
Q9. Do you agree that development in the effectiveness of enterprise is key significance of
sustainable supply chain management?
(a) Agree
(b) Disagree
Q10. Provide suggestions regarding the challenges which faced by hospitality firm in
context of supply chain management in COVID 19n situation.
P4. Apply effective analytical tools to determine research findings
Theme 1: understanding about the concept of supply chain management
Q1. Do you have understanding about the concept of supply Frequency
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