Marriott research paper
Ecological and natural resources
Marriott International has considered Biodiversity as critical in making sure there are healthy ecosystems and a productive planet. It depends on the ecosystems, for necessities, like security, food, and health, thus the need for valuing and engaging in the protection of natural capital. Therefore, Marriott has employed several measures to ensure the ecological and natural resources are protected. To support the restoration of mangrove trees in Thailand, the firm has partnered with various organizations such as Mangroves for the Future. For example, the organization recently partnered with the world wildlife fund to improve fish farming, which in turn promotes the conservation of water. Also, through the use of advanced technology, it has become possible to sustainably increase seafood in the market, which consequently improves the supply of quality seafood and more returns for Marriott. In collaboration with industry players, Marriott, with other Hotels worldwide, took part in cleanups of beaches and waterways, which resulted in plastic waste reduction in the ecosystem. In combating climate change effects, the organization has continued to manage its environmental impact by monitoring their energy consumption and focusing more on green energy. Then there is the issue of energy and emissions. The organization focuses on attaining at least a 30% green energy consumption by 2025. Water is very vital in the hospitality industry. Therefore, it should be optimally utilized and conserved so as to run a sustainable business. In connection with this, the firm has come up with initiatives such as the use of cooling towers to reduce wastage of water. For Marriott, recycled water has been essential in the laundry, cooling, and management of wastes, which has reduced water wastage. For example, in America, the organization has come up with a new mechanism of managing cooling towers and better utilization of water in farming. To prevent depletion of seafood, Marriott promotes the policy to diversify seafood sources, which in turn increases food security and promotes environmental conservation. For example, the firm has increasingly promoted farmed seafood, such as that of shrimp and salmon. The firm has also come up with programs to ensure reduced wastage of food and focused on environmentally friendly food packaging material.
Social issues
The hospitality industry in which Marriott international hotels operate is affected by social, cultural issues that affect business nature. One of these issues is the traveling culture, which is a major contributor to Marriott hotels’ profits. As a result, the hotel has invested heavily in the promotion of the travel culture as an important tool in the promotion of global peace and cultural understanding. The industry and the hotel are robust supporters of pro travel policies and support programs by partnering with advocacy groups, lobby groups, and NGOs to uphold and protect human rights and equality as people travel across multiple cultures. Moreover, the hotel is a supporter of policies that fight the travel culture risks such as human trafficking, exploitation as well as issues that touch on forced labor. By promoting a culture of cultural understanding, diversity, and common understanding and tolerance towards different cultural values, the hotel is in a position to operate a sustainable model in the long run. The hospitality industry and Marriott group of hotels are cognizant of the significance of fair employment practices and ensuring that it promotes the culture of diversity and inclusion. However, there is a big difference between enacting policies and implementing them. As a result, the organization has been promoting policies aligned with responsible sourcing of staff and ensuring that the recruitment policies promote fair and social values. Through non-discriminatory policies, training of staff, employee development, providing fair remuneration, and promoting pay equity ensure that the employees’ interests and the general society are factored in. Employee development in the millennial age is vital as it ensures that staff is given a chance to enhance their hospitality skills and learn how they can be responsible members of society. Marriott is a significant contributor to social development, gives the business the relevant sustainability that it requires to advance its profit goals. This is why the hotel has invested heavily in corporate social responsibility because the issues that affect the society ultimately affect the business and the industry at large. For example, the Marriott empowerment program involving its employees helps the hotel create a harmonious working relationship that is based on mutual understanding and collaboration between employees and the community.
Your rating of the industry’s overall social responsiveness and its accomplishments in this area
The responsiveness of the industry towards social issues is an important part of growing responsible and sustainable businesses. However, most industry players’ performance is below par, and personally, I would rate it at 4.5 on a scale of 10. The reason for this is because most organizations in the industry are too focused on the profit part of the triple bottom line approach that they forget the people and planet aspects, which are equally important. For one, an organization is defined by the way it handles crises, and for this matter, Marriott has had its fair share of criticism. Recently Marriott international was hit by another hack where 5.2 million customers lost their data, including but not limited to names, email addresses, location, and even the identities of their employers. However, the way the hotel responded to the crises created outrage as critics pointed out that the hotel lacked empathy and urgency when it came to responding to the issue. In handling such crises and engaging in good public relations business has a chance to better handle crises and avoid the losses that can occur as a result. This can also be addressed by understanding the consumer tastes and preferences and ensuring that the consumer information is protected. The second issue is that of the planet. The organization and industry players must enforce policies that support environmental conservation because the business cannot operate without raw materials and in a world where the environment is degraded. For example, the policy to reduce, recycle, and reuse should be enacted across the industry to reduce plastic waste that is degrading the environment.
Furthermore, industry players must do more to reduce energy waste, promote water conservation in hotels, and to engage policies that combat climate change. There is a need for industry players to engage in community development initiatives by contributing financially and intellectually by allowing employees to be a part of making a positive change in society. The organization should also promote and implement diversity and inclusion policies to ensure that its employees are the true picture of the world and the individual communities that support its business. If the organization does this, it can develop better social responsiveness and build a more sustainable business in the long term.
Your rating of the industry in relation to the Saint Leo University core values, as well as the changes that should be made to be more in line with the core values
I rate the aspect of excellence in the hospitality industry at 6 out of 10. Excellence is an important virtue in the industry since it sets the standards of quality of service that the industry players offer. The organizations should invest in the continuous training and development of its workforce by inculcating the values of excellence in the provision of services. Respect is another core value that should be inculcated in the industry. Every player in hospitality must teach their staff to respect the customer needs and preferences, respect the interests of the investors, regulatory agencies, and the needs of employees. Responsible stewardship, which is all about leadership. On a scale of 10, I would give the hospitality industry a 6.5 because there is quality leadership in the industry. However, there is more to do in focusing more on the needs of the customer and being more engaged in the people and planet aspects of the triple bottom line. Responsible stewardship influences the organization’s culture. In turn, the ripple down effect is that even middle and lower-level managers ensure that the hotel’s operations meet the industry standards. Personal development has not been an area of much focus in the industry because of the high rate of employee turnover, and thus I would rate it at 4 out of 10. The industry should adopt by focusing on individual development, training, empowerment, and reward of the aligned employees to raise quality standards. Community is all about an organization recognizing that it operates within society, and as such, it should be aligned with the acceptable sociocultural values. Out of a 10, I rate the industry at 5 since the focus in recent times has been on profits. However, the aspect of “community” can be better enhanced through promoting policies that support diversity, recruiting fairly, and promoting inclusivity. Organizations also need to take part in community empowerment programs to address social problems. Finally, integrity is an important virtue that sets the industry standards higher and more attractive in society’s eyes. Out of 10, I rate it at 6 because there is so much to achieve to ensure that industry players ensure that integrity is a core part of their operations. This can be achieved by better training and coming up with policies that promote and reward integrity.