Module number and title

Qualification

Cardiff Metropolitan University Level 6 BA (Hons)

BHL6002- International and Comparative HRM
Business & Management Studies

Student name Assessor name

Date issued Completion date Submitted on

03.02.2019 24th Mar 2019

Assessment type Duration/Length of Weighting of Approximate Date of

Individual Assignment 02 Assessment Type Assessment Submission
_ case based report 3,000 words 50% Term 3

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I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are
fully acknowledged.

Student signature: Date:

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Assignment Feedback

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 International and Comparative HRM - BHL6002

WRIT 11 – Cased Based Report (Individual)

Weighting of assessment: 50% total marks

Individual report word limit: 3000 words equivalent

Learning Outcomes Covered

 Discuss the conceptual problems of both comparative and international analysis of

organisational HR practices and national employment systems

 Critically evaluate the convergence-divergence debate, identifying the main issues and
theories relating to globalisation and the internationalisation of the firm.

 Compare and contrast the different strategies and structures of multinational corporations
including international management recruitment, training and reward strategies

Scenario and the Task

Marriott International, Inc. is a leading global lodging company with more than 6,500
properties in 130 countries and territories. Regions such as North America, Caribbean and Latin
America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific. The company that began in 1927 as a
nine-seat A&W root beer stand in Washington, DC is recognized today as a top employer and
superior business operations. It continuously creates extraordinary experiences for our guests,
generate strong economic returns for the owners and franchisees, and provide outstanding
career opportunities for associates. In 2016, Marriott acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts,
making the largest and most global lodging company in the world. J. Willard and Alice
Marriott’s modest nine-stool root beer stand grew into the Hot Shoppes Restaurant chain and
evolved into today’s Marriott International. The company was built on a foundation of guiding
principles that remain embedded in the company’s culture.

For more than 90 years, Marriott’s leadership by the founding family has provided a level of
stability unmatched by any competitor in the business. In 2012, Chairman and CEO J.W. “Bill”
Marriott, Jr. –the son of our founder – named Arne Sorenson as his successor, ensuring the
Marriott legacy of continuity and innovation.

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As Marriott changes and grows, our business strategy remains firmly rooted in its values.

 Put People First: "Take care of the associates and they will take care of the customers,
and the customers will come back again and again." This is our founder’s philosophy.
It has made Marriott a great place to work for over 90 years.

 Pursue Excellence: Our dedication to the customer shows in everything we do. We take
pride in the details every day, in every destination worldwide.

 Embrace Change: Innovation has always been part of the Marriott story. We’re driven
to anticipate our customers’ changing needs with new brands, new global locations and
new guest experiences.

 Act with Integrity: How we do business is as important as the business we do. We hold
ourselves to uncompromising ethical and legal standards.

 Serve Our World: Our “spirit to serve” makes our company stronger. We support the
communities where we live and work.

As of September 23, 2016, Marriott operates 30 brands internationally which are categorising
as,

 Luxury - Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, EDITION Hotels, JW Marriott Hotels, The Luxury
Collection, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, W Hotels

 Upper Upscale - Delta Hotels, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Vacation Club,
Marriott Executive Apartments, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Autograph Collection
Hotels, Gaylord Hotels, Le Méridien, Renaissance Hotels, Tribute Portfolio, Westin
Hotels & Resorts

 Upscale- Courtyard by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, Spring Hill Suites by

Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, AC Hotels by Marriott, Aloft Hotels, element by
westin

 Upper Midscale- Moxy Hotels, Protea Hotels by Marriott, Fairfield Inn by Marriott,
Towne Place Suites

By the year of 2018 they have won several awards such as, Marriott International, “Aon Global
Best Employer Award for 2018,” Aon Hewitt , Marriott International, “2018 World’s Most
Ethical Companies,” The Ethisphere Institute, Marriott International, “2018 Most Innovative
Companies,” Fast Company , Marriott International, “Great Place to Work,” Corporate
Equality Index, Marriott International, “Top 50 Companies for Diversity,” Diversity Inc.,

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Marriott International, “2018 Fortune 500,” Fortune, Marriott International, “World’s Most
Admired Companies,” Fortune and etc.

Marriott is dedicated to grow the footprint by helping its owners and franchisees maximize
the value of their hotel investments. Whether working on a new build or conversion, or
looking for management services or a franchise affiliation, Marriott provides the brands,
tools and resources owners need to succeed. Marriott succeeds where ever they go. Well
experienced teams provide robust owner and franchisee benefits and services to achieve the
business objectives. They focus on transparency and communication through the
development process to help bring your vision to life.

Since 1927, Marriott has valued diversity and inclusion. With their foundation built upon the
wellbeing and happiness of our associates, embracing differences is critical to our success as
the largest hospitality company with an ever growing global portfolio. Diversity and inclusion
is fundamental to their core values and strategic business goals. Taking care of people and
putting their wellbeing above all else is in their Company’s DNA and our most precious cultural
inheritance. Marriott has identified three pillars of associate wellbeing: We all need to feel
good about ourselves, the workplace, and about our company’s role in society. Marriott has
long standing partnerships with over 30 diversity organizations. They value these relationships
as their missions align with our diversity and inclusion efforts.

Marriot plays a critical role in taking on our world’s most pressing social, environmental and
economic issues. With their size and scale, they have a global responsibility and a unique
opportunity to be a force for good. Guided by their 2025 Sustainability and Social Impact
Goals, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, they commit to creating positive and
sustainable impact wherever they do business.

Goals for 2025: contribute 15M hours to support our company priorities and community
engagement strategy, invest at least $5M to increase and deepen programs and partnerships
that develop hospitality skills and opportunity among youth, diverse populations, women,
people with disabilities, veterans and refugees, Reduce environmental footprint by 15% | 30%
45% across the portfolio by 2025, enhance or embed human rights criteria in our recruitment
and sourcing policies and work with our industry to address human rights risks in the
construction phase are some of their sustainability & social impact goals.

Source: Marriott International, 2018. Our Story. [Online]. Available at: https://hotel-
development.marriott.com/our-story/ [Accessed 31 October 2018].

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TASK 01 – LO 01 (25 Marks)

Discuss the conceptual problems concerned with comparative and international analysis of the
organizational practices and its impact on national employment systems.

TASK 02 – LO 02 (25 Marks)

“Marriot should apply convergence theory”. Do you agree with the given statement? Critically
evaluate your answer.

TASK 03 – LO 05 (40 Marks)

Compare and contrast different strategies used by Marriot International for following HR
practices and structures adopted in any two selected countries of your choice.

3.1 Recruitment & Selection (10 Marks)

3.2 Training & Development (10 Marks)
3.3 Reward & Remuneration (10 Marks)
3.4 International Corporate Social Responsibility (10 Marks)

* 10 marks are allocated for correct reporting structure.

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Criteria for marking

Task 01 25-20 19-15 14-10 09-05 04-00

An exceptional answer.
Strong critical discussion is
evident on how these
conflicts arise and on
remedial actions. Provided
relevant examples when
necessary and derived logical
and systematic conclusions.
The student is exceptional in
communication of ideas with
clear and grammatically
correct language. Used
illustrations creatively and
shows evidence of individual
contribution.
Good answer with overall
focus. Critical discussion is
evident on how these
conflicts arise and on
remedial actions. Provided
relevant examples and
derived logical and systematic
conclusions most of the
time. Lacks consistency in
applying theories in to the
context. Conclusions were
derived with adequate
arguments. Shows a higher
standard of language skills.
Answer has an overall focus. No critical analysis is evident. Has not defined or outlined
Discussion is evident on how Even though there is either the organizational HR
these conflicts arise but not evidence that the student practices or the national
on remedial actions. Provided understand the basic employment system. Poor
relevant examples and concepts related to the and unclear writing with
derived logical and systematic conflicts between the irrelevant and inadequate
conclusions in few organizational HR systems content
instances. Lacks consistency and National employment
in applying theories in to the system, the answer provides
context. Conclusions were no evidence regarding the
derived but arguments were interaction and influence
weak. No critical discussion is between those elements,
evident. Adequate but especially in the international
insufficient conclusions which context. Poor presentation
lacks validity. Average with mixed up flow.
language skills.

25-20 19-15 14-10 09-05 04-00

Task 02
Excellent answer with clear Fairly above average Average discussion on There is evidence that the
identification of issues in discussion on convergent and convergent and divergent student understand the basic
Has not defined or outlined
globalization and divergent debate by selecting debate by selecting minimum concepts related to
either the convergent and
internationalization based on minimum of two countries of two countries where these convergent and divergent
divergent debate on
Convergence – and where these businesses businesses operate and debate on globalization along
globalization or possible
Divergence debate by operate and critical critical discussion made by with a discussion on possible
organizational structures.
selecting minimum of two discussion made by analysing analysing different HRM organizational structures, but
Poor and unclear hand writing
countries where these different HRM functions/ functions/ practices. Lacks the answer provides no
with irrelevant and
businesses operate. Also a practices on with proper consistency in applying evidence regarding the
inadequate content.
through and critical examples. Lacks consistency theories in to the context. interaction and influence
discussion made by analysing in applying theories in to the Conclusions were derived but between those elements,

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 different HRM functions/ context. Conclusions were arguments were weak. especially in the international
practices with proper derived with adequate Adequate but insufficient context. Poor presentation
examples. The student is arguments. Shows a higher conclusions which lacks with mixed up flow.
exceptional in standard of language skills validity. Average language
communication of ideas with with clear ideas. skills.
clear and grammatically
correct language. Used
diagrams and graphs
creatively and shows
evidence of individual
contribution.

Task 03
10-09 08-07 06-05 04-03 02-00
Q 3.1
An exceptional answer. A Good answer with overall Answer has an overall focus. No critical analysis is evident. Haven’t even defined or
comprehensive and critical focus. Comprehensive and An average comparison of Even though there is outlined recruitment
comparison of recruitment critical comparison of recruitment strategies of two evidence that the student strategies of two countries.
strategies of two countries recruitment strategies of two countries was evident. understand the basic Poor, irrelevant and
was evident. Provided countries was evident. Provided relevant examples concepts related to inadequate content.
relevant examples when Provided relevant examples and derived logical and recruitment strategies, the
necessary and derived logical and derived logical and systematic conclusions in few answer provides no evidence
and systematic conclusions. systematic conclusions most instances. Lacks consistency regarding the interaction and
The student is exceptional in of the time. Lacks consistency in applying theories in to the influence between those
communication of ideas with in applying theories in to the context. Conclusions were elements, especially in the
clear and grammatically context. Conclusions were derived but arguments were international context. Poor
correct language. Used derived with adequate weak. No critical discussion is presentation with mixed up
diagrams and graphs arguments. Shows a higher evident. Adequate but flow.
creatively and shows standard of language skills insufficient conclusions which
evidence of individual with clear ideas. lacks validity. Average
contribution. language skills.

Q 3.2 10-09 08-07 06-05 04-03 02-00

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 An exceptional answer. A Good answer with overall Answer has an overall focus. No critical analysis is evident. Haven’t even defined or
comprehensive and critical focus. Comprehensive and An average comparison of Even though there is outlined Training and
comparison of Training and critical comparison of Training and Development evidence that the student Development strategies of
Development strategies of Training and Development strategies of two countries understand the basic two countries. Poor,
two countries was evident. strategies of two countries was evident. Provided concepts related to Training irrelevant and inadequate
Provided relevant examples was evident. Provided relevant examples and and Development strategies, content.
when necessary and derived relevant examples and derived logical and systematic the answer provides no
logical and systematic derived logical and systematic conclusions in few instances. evidence regarding the
conclusions. The student is conclusions most of the time. Lacks consistency in applying interaction and influence
exceptional in Lacks consistency in applying theories in to the context. between those elements,
communication of ideas with theories in to the context. Conclusions were derived but especially in the international
clear and grammatically Conclusions were derived arguments were weak. No context. Poor presentation
correct language. Used with adequate arguments. critical discussion is evident. with mixed up flow.
diagrams and graphs Shows a higher standard of Adequate but insufficient
creatively and shows language skills with clear conclusions which lacks
evidence of individual ideas. validity. Average language
contribution. skills.

Q 3.3 10-09 08-07 06-05 04-03 02-00

An exceptional answer. A Good answer with overall
comprehensive and critical focus. Comprehensive and
comparison of Reward and critical comparison of Reward
Remuneration strategies of and remuneration strategies
two countries was evident. of two countries was evident.
Provided relevant examples Provided relevant examples
when necessary and derived and derived logical and
logical and systematic systematic conclusions most
conclusions. The student is of the time. Lacks consistency
exceptional in in applying theories in to the
communication of ideas with context. Conclusions were
clear and grammatically derived with adequate
correct language. Used arguments. Shows a higher
diagrams and graphs standard of language skills
creatively and shows with clear ideas.
Answer has an overall focus.
An average comparison of
Reward and Remuneration
strategies of two countries
was evident. Provided
relevant examples and
derived logical and systematic
conclusions in few instances.
Lacks consistency in applying
theories in to the context.
Conclusions were derived but
arguments were weak. No
critical discussion is evident.
Adequate but insufficient
conclusions which lacks
No critical analysis is evident.
Even though there is
evidence that the student
understand the basic Haven’t even defined or
concepts related to Reward outlined Reward and
and remuneration strategies, remuneration strategies of
the answer provides no two countries. Poor,
evidence regarding the irrelevant and inadequate
interaction and influence content.
between those elements,
especially in the international
context. Poor presentation
with mixed up flow.

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 evidence of individual validity. Average language
contribution. skills.

Q 3.4 10-09 08-07 06-05 04-03 02-00

An exceptional answer. A Good answer with overall Answer has an overall focus. No critical analysis is evident. Haven’t even defined or
comprehensive and critical focus. Comprehensive and An average comparison of Even though there is outlined international
comparison of international critical comparison of international corporate social evidence that the student corporate social responsibility
corporate social international corporate social responsibility strategies and understand the basic strategies and practices of
responsibility strategies and responsibility strategies and practices of two different concepts related to different two different countries. Poor,
practices of two different practices of two different countries was evident. international corporate irrelevant and inadequate
countries was evident. countries was evident. Provided relevant examples social responsibility content.
Provided relevant examples Provided relevant examples and derived logical and strategies and practices of
when necessary and derived and derived logical and systematic conclusions in few two different countries, the
logical and systematic systematic conclusions most instances. Lacks consistency answer provides no evidence
conclusions. The student is of the time. Lacks consistency in applying theories in to the regarding the interaction and
exceptional in in applying theories in to the context. Conclusions were influence between those
communication of ideas with context. Conclusions were derived but arguments were elements, especially in the
clear and grammatically derived with adequate weak. No critical discussion is international context. Poor
correct language. Used arguments. Shows a higher evident. Adequate but presentation with mixed up
diagrams and graphs standard of language skills insufficient conclusions which flow.
creatively and shows with clear ideas. lacks validity. Average
evidence of individual language skills.
contribution.

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REPORT STRUCTURE

 Paper Size : A4
 Word Count : 3000 words
 Printing Margins : LHS; RHS: 1 Inch
 Binding Margin : ½ Inch
 Header and Footer : 1 Inch
 Printing : Single Sided
 Basic Font Size : 12
 Font Style : Arial/Times New Roman
 Presentation : Bound Document

Important Information for Students

 The assignment should be submitted as a SOFT COPY in a word format ONLY as well as
HARD COPY on or before the due date.

 The soft copy should be saved directly to ICBT sis as one file. Documents saved in different
files and/or in subfolders will be rejected.

 Softy copy should be named as BSc BM-(subject number) followed by the Cardiff Met student
ID number-8 digit number)

E.g. for International and Comparative HRM

BHL 6002 -20** ****

 Students are expected to keep a backup of all the assignments. ICBT and Cardiff Metropolitan
University have all the right to re call for soft copy of any assignment at any time during the
course.

 Student should sign a register upon submitting assignment which will be kept in the
administration department of relevant campus. This record on the register will be considered as
the official record for submission.

 Please note that plagiarism is treated as a serious offence and therefore the work you produce
must be individual and original although may work in groups in some instances (Please refer
to Student Handbook on Plagiarism & Cheating).

 All sources of information must be referenced using “Harvard referencing” where a

reference listing should be included at the end of the assignment.

 Please note that the submission date given for this assignment is the final date that you can
hand over the assignment. No late submissions are allowed. (Please refer to the Student
Handbook on Assessments - Late Submissions).

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 Please refer to Student Handbook on Assignments – Re-submission, mitigating circumstances
procedure.

 Please use the attached coversheet only for hardcopy.

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