Digital transformation of Hospitality Businesses

Basic forms and types of information systems applied in the hospitality sector. Front-end and back-end information systems. Reservation management systems. Identification of intra-organizational and inter-organizational information systems. Strategies and methods for the development and management of information systems.

Every organization operating in the modern economic and social environment cannot overlook the importance and role of information technology both in the execution of business operations and in the achievement of its strategic objectives. Information Systems (IS) can support both the internal processes of an organization and the inter-organizational processes that govern its relationships with customers, suppliers, and partners. Their usefulness ranges from simple transaction automation to decision support and business process reengineering. Managers in modern organizations must be able to recognize the capabilities, benefits, and risks of Information Systems and contribute to their optimal utilization in achieving organizational goals. The above are particularly important for hospitality enterprises operating in a highly competitive environment.

The aim of the course is to provide managers of hospitality organizations with a comprehensive framework for understanding Information Systems in the contemporary business environment and to guide them in making informed decisions regarding their strategic use within an organization. The course focuses on both technological issues and issues related to the integration of Information Systems within an organization, their utilization according to organizational needs and capabilities, the assessment of implications arising from their use by organizational processes and individuals, as well as the development and management of information resources.

The course consists of three main thematic units:

A. Utilization of information technology in hospitality organizations: Importance of information technology in modern hospitality organizations – Strategic planning of Information Systems – Business Process Modeling and Reengineering (BPM & BPR).

B. Adoption of modern Information Systems: Use of Information Systems at operational, managerial, and strategic levels – Applications and business models of e-commerce and e-business.

C. Development and evaluation of information resources: Methods for the development of Information Systems – Functional specifications of Information Systems – Provision of IT services in hospitality organizations – Evaluation of investments in IT projects.

The objectives of this course include:

• Acquisition of the necessary conceptual background for understanding issues faced by the management of hospitality organizations regarding Information Systems.

• Understanding of the ways in which Information Systems are applied in hospitality organizations and the key issues related to their effective use.

• Assessment of the current state of Information Systems usage in a hospitality organization and proposal of an Information Systems plan based on reengineered organizational processes.

• Understanding of the capabilities of e-business technologies and evaluation of the associated business benefits and risks.

• Identification of strategies and methodologies for the development of information resources within and outside the hospitality organization.

• Identification of the key responsibilities/functions of the Information Technology Department within an organization, as well as the main models for managing Information Systems.

• Evaluation of the economic as well as social implications of using Information Systems in a hospitality organization.

Week 1: The Role of Information Technology in Modern Hospitality Organizations

Week 2: Types and Characteristics of Tourism Information Systems

Week 3: Supply Chain Management and Enterprise Resource Planning Information Systems for Hospitality Organizations

Week 4: Introduction to the Business Process Modeling Language BPMN

Week 5: Notation and Methods for Modeling Business Processes using BPMN

Week 6: Practical Application of the Business Process Modeling Language BPMN

Week 7: Strategic Planning of Information Systems for Hospitality Organizations

Week 8: Methods for the Development of Information Systems and Their Integration into the Organization

Week 9: Business Evaluation of Information Infrastructure in Hospitality Organizations

Week 10: Acceptance of Information Infrastructure in Hospitality Organizations

Week 11: Introduction to e-Business

Week 12: e-Business Models – Networked Enterprises

Week 13: Contemporary Developments in Information and Communication Technologies and Their Role in the Transformation of Business Processes (blockchain, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things)

1. Laudon K.C. & Laudon J.P. (2021) Management Information Systems, Kleidarithmos Publications, Eudoxus Book Code: 102070464
2. Wallace, P. (2022) Management Information Systems, Kritiki Publications, Eudoxus Book Code: 112692289
3. Fitsilis, P. (2018) Modern Business Information Systems, Broken Hill Publishers Ltd, Eudoxus Book Code: 77111049
4. Volker, S. (2014) Process-Driven Applications with BPMN, Springer International Publishing, Eudoxus Book Code: 73251476

The course is also supported by selected scientific articles.

• Search, analysis, and synthesis of data and information using appropriate technologies
• Recording and modeling of business processes
• IT project management
• Decision-making
• Independent work
• Teamwork

Support of the learning process through the e-class electronic platform

I. Individual Assignment (60%)
The assignment will focus on proposing IT-based improvements for a specific organization and will address the following issues:

• Profile of the organization
• Recording and evaluation of key business processes related to the organization’s supply chain
• Proposals for supporting business processes through information technology

II. Written Final Examination (40%)