ASSESSMENT NUMBER: 2
ASSIGNMENT TYPE: REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
WORD COUNT: 1,500 – 2,000 WORDS
DUE: WEEK 9
This assessment is designed to help you achieve the following Unit Learning Outcomes:
• ULO 1: Critically appraise what constitutes a risk and crisis.
• ULO 2: Conduct a risk and vulnerability analysis of an organisation, an industry sector, and/or tourism destination.
• ULO 3: Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of strategic crisis management.
• ULO 4: Critically evaluate the importance of strategic crisis management in the contemporary society and its effective application to hospitality and tourism industries.
• ULO 5: Possess critical insights into emerging issues and concepts in crisis management.
The marking rubric is accessible through the relevant assessment on Engage.
Reflective journals are a type of writing that uses personal reflection as a learning tool. Reflecting on experiences is shown to engage deep learning and produce an account of a person’s advancement of knowledge. In an academic setting, reflective journals are used to assess students’ learning in the course by encouraging reflection on diverse topics, theories and concepts, and engaging students’ personal and professional experience.
More information about reflecting journals, including guides and examples can be accessed here:
In this assessment you are asked to reflect on the importance of the diverse issues, concepts and theories that are relevant to risk and crisis management in tourism and hospitality. The two underlying aims are to (1) record your development and progress in the first part of the course (topics 1 -5) through (2) demonstrating the process of your learning by means of examining specific issues, concepts or reading(s).
The suggested way to approach this assignment is to pick one idea/concept or theory from each lecture topic (from weeks 1 to 5) and consider its significance in the broader social world – e.g. how can this idea/concept or theory explain what is currently occurring in the world? Alternatively, how does your personal or professional experience, including what you have read or watched in the media, helps to demonstrate the importance of this idea/concept or theory in a practical sense? You must use first person in most section of your reflective journal to express your thought process in the consideration of the significance of each chosen topic.
1. Topics covered
This assignment will cover only weeks 1 to 5.
This assignment should follow a structure for a reflective journal, for more information about writing and structuring reflective journals consult the following sources https://www.anu.edu.au/students/academic-skills/writing-assessment/reflective-writing/learning-journals
https://student.unsw.edu.au/examples-reflective-writing (see the last example, entitled: ‘Learning Journal (weekly reflection)’.
3. Use of theory
The reflective journal must be based on your chosen idea, concept or theory which is covered in the slides, SCORM packages, eTextbook, or the readings.
Given that your work will be based on specific idea, concept or theory as well as some additional reading (or viewing), references will be required.
The required referencing style is Harvard style. Consult the referencing guide (available on Engage) to ensure you reference correctly
• Your assessment must be written as in a reflective writing style, and contain an Introduction, a Body, a Conclusion, and a Reference list.
• You must use at least 3 in-text references (3-5 preferred).
• You must use a variation of the Harvard referencing style, e.g., as per LCBA’s Harvard Referencing Guide or the Harvard Anglia 2008 MS Word’s built-in Citation & Bibliography tool. All references must be formatted consistently in accordance with the chosen style.
• You must adhere to the following formatting conventions (as applicable): o Document structure: Each of the following (if applicable) should start on a separate page: ? cover page (automatically generated within Turnitin)
? main text
? appendices, labelled (A, B, C, … or 1, 2, 3, …) – excluded from word count limit.
o Document layout
? A4 paper size
? normal margins
? page numbers in bottom-left of each page, except for the title page
? page numbering of the form: Page X of X o Headings
? Calibri font
? 14-point font size
? either minimal or maximal capitalisation o Body:
? Left alignment
? Calibri font
? 12-point font size
? 1.5 line spacing
? in-text quotes less than 40 words in inverted commas followed by reference
? quotes of more than 40 words as indented quotes, without inverted commas, in 11point font size, followed by reference
? double spaces between paragraphs
• You must submit your assignment to Turnitin, via LCBA Engage
Reflective writing allows an individual to look back at their experiences and analyze their learning process. This reflective journal discusses the significance of various concepts and theories in risk and crisis management in the hospitality and tourism industry. The first part of the course (topics 1-5) has provided insight into risk and crisis management, helping to identify risks and vulnerabilities that businesses face in the hospitality and tourism industry. The journal will discuss one idea or concept from each topic and explain its significance in today’s world.
Topic 1: Introduction to Risk and Crisis Management
The topic of risk and crisis management is significant because it provides an understanding of how to identify potential risks in the hospitality and tourism industry. In today’s world, risk management has become increasingly important due to the uncertainty brought about by events such as pandemics, natural disasters, and terrorism. Therefore, it is essential to identify potential risks and vulnerabilities to protect businesses from damage. In my personal and professional experience, I have witnessed how companies suffer significant losses due to unforeseen risks that could have been avoided by appropriate risk management strategies.
Topic 2: Risk and Vulnerability Analysis
The concept of risk and vulnerability analysis is critical to understanding how to identify potential risks and develop strategies to manage them. In the hospitality and tourism industry, risks can come in various forms, such as natural disasters, health crises, and financial instability. A vulnerability analysis helps to identify potential risks and assess their impact on the business. By understanding the potential risks and vulnerabilities, businesses can develop strategies to minimize damage or avoid it altogether. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, hotels and restaurants adapted to the situation by adopting measures such as social distancing, sanitization, and contactless services.
Topic 3: Strategic Crisis Management
The theory of strategic crisis management is significant in today’s world, where businesses face crises of varying magnitudes. Strategic crisis management involves identifying potential crises and developing strategies to manage them effectively. Effective crisis management requires a well-planned approach, including clear communication, crisis management teams, and contingency plans. In my personal and professional experience, I have seen how businesses that were unprepared for crises suffered significant damage and struggled to recover.
Topic 4: The Importance of Strategic Crisis Management in Contemporary Society
Strategic crisis management is essential in contemporary society because it helps to minimize damage to businesses and communities during a crisis. Effective crisis management can prevent further damage and loss of life, as well as ensure that businesses can recover and continue to provide services to their customers. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of effective crisis management, as businesses that were well-prepared and had contingency plans in place were better able to cope with the situation.
Topic 5: Emerging Issues and Concepts in Crisis Management
The concept of emerging issues and concepts in crisis management is significant because it allows businesses to adapt to changing circumstances and potential risks. Emerging issues and concepts include new technologies, changing