The four functions of management in the hospitality industry

¶ … Functions of Management at Work in the Hospitality Industry: A Brief Examination

The four functions of management -- planning, organizing, leading, and controlling -- are essential for the proper functioning of any organization, and the hospitality industry is no exception. Whatever aspect of the hospitality and tourism industry one might be involved in, there is a definite necessity to maintain the resources of that operation through the four functions of management in order to provide services that consistently uphold the image of the company and establishes the perception of quality care in the consumer (Laws & Thyne 2004). By effectively understanding and implementing the four functions of management, the goal of customer satisfaction can be easily met.

Planning

The analyzing of current circumstances, forecasting of likely future changes, establishment of goals, and determining what operations and methods the company will engage in all fall under the umbrella of the planning function of management. Essentially, "plans set the stage for action and for major achievements" (Bateman-Snell 2009). In the hospitality industry, this can be extremely complex and highly necessary, as tourism trends can shift dramatically in response to world events and appear to be especially volatile in current times (Law & Thyne 2004). Being able to effectively assess a situation and its implications for future developments allows a firm to capitalize on opportunities and mitigate risks during times of reduced consumer demand, ensuring long-term viability.

Organizing

Once the pans have been made, the resources that belong to the firm must be organized in a way that will help bring these plans to fruition. The complexity of the resources involved in most business ventures illustrates what a complex task the organizing function of management is -- human, financial, physical, and informational resources must all be coordinated, often in a variety of activities, and all moving towards the same ultimate goals (Bateman-Snell 2009). In the hospitality industry, environmental resources can also be added to this list. Coordinating and organizing these in a way that can be both profitable and sustainable -- and thus profitable in the long-term -- is a difficult task being faced more and more by companies in a growing proportion of the world.

Leading

The human resources of a company require an deserve different treatment and consideration than the company's other resources, of course, and this is where the leadership function of management comes into play. Inspiring, encouraging, and simply communicating with employees in way that motivates them to further the company's goals in the most valuable and efficient way possible is the aim of good leadership, and will lead to a maximized return from the company's other resources, as well (Bateman-Snell 2009). In the tourism industry, this can also require becoming a community leader, ensuring others that their lives will not be adversely impacted from tourism increases and generally engaging the community and culture in the endeavor as much as possible (Law & Thyne 2004).

Conclusion

All four functions of management are vital in the hospitality industry, as they are in all business ventures. Without proper planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, the hospitality industry would not be able to offer a consistent quality of service, or even consistent services. By utilizing these four functions of management in a conscious, intelligent, and responsible way, on the other hand, companies operating in the hospitality and tourism industry can maximize their profitability and their sustainability in a way that is beneficial not only to the companies themselves, but to the environment and the communities in which they operate.