'Good leaders will be more important than effective managers if the business performance of an international hotel chain is to improve.' Discuss the extent to which you agree with this view.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [20] Understanding of leaders; Understanding of managers; Understanding of business performance; Understanding of a hotel chain; Reference to the role of managers and/or leaders on business performance in a hotel chain; The influence of effective managers on business performance; Critical functions of managers – control – co-ordination – operational efficiency - effective marketing, HR, financial, operational management; Possible reference to Mintzberg manager roles; Critical functions of leaders – inspire, visionary, take strategic decisions concern with the motivation and morale of employees; Analysis of the suggested distinction between managers and leaders in a business; What areas of business performance in a hotel could be susceptible to manager/leader initiatives/action?; What might be opportunities for performance improvement in a multi-national hotel chain? – brand management? – marketing focus? – customer experience focus? – pricing? – quality of rooms and service; How might this improvement be secured? - at operational and/or strategic level? – what factors/issues are important?; What is meant by ‘good’ leaders and ‘effective’ managers in the international hotel chain context?; Will management be more important in an international hotel chain?; Once the hotel chain is established on an international level, will management be more improvement than leadership?. Accept any other valid response