SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
HM 350 (3 credits)
Hospitality Decision Making and Information Systems
Spring 2014
Instructor
Ruth Ann Jackson, MBA, PHD Candidate
225 Mateer Building
Office: 814-863-5437
email: rjack@psu.edu
Office hours T,R 1:00 to 2:00PM and W 10:00-2:00
Course Pre-Requisites (Requirements)
Successful completion of CMPSC 203, STAT 200, and HRIM 201 (or an acceptable substitute, as
deemed by the Undergraduate Professor in Charge) is required prior to taking HRIM 350. There are no
exceptions. At the beginning of the semester, the instructor will ensure that each student has met the
course requirements.
Textbook
Krajewski, L. J., Ritzman, L.P., and Malhotra, M. K Operations
Management Processes and Supply Chains. PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A
CUSTOM EDITION SPECIFIC FOR THIS COURSE; THE TITLE ON THE COVER
IS “PEARSON CUSTOM BUSINESS RESOURCES”. The ISBN is 1269250663.
You will need the MyOMLab. Course ID: jackson06173
Calculator
Please bring a calculator to every class in preparation for the day’s lesson.
File Storage
Please bring a flash drive, or other storage device, to class in order to save class work for future
reference.
Course Description
This course provides students with the opportunity to apply analytical techniques, Excel-based models,
and simulation, to the management of operations in the hospitality industry. The overriding goal is to
provide students with the skills that they need to make effective, data-driven decisions. On completion
of this course students should be able to:
1. Identify operational problems in the hospitality industry and recommend analytical methods to
solve them.
2. Identify, and collect, the data required to analyze operational problems in hospitality
organizations.
3. Apply analytical methods to specific operational problems. This includes demonstrating the
ability to use specific technology applications in the analysis of operational problems (e.g.,
Excel, Microsoft Project and simulation software).
4. Demonstrate the ability to assess the impact of operations strategies in terms of return on
investment, customer and employee satisfaction, and human resource management.
5. Communicate the results of analyses of operational problems, recommended solutions to
problems, and the rationale for those recommendations, in a clear and concise manner. All
communication materials that students develop are expected to meet industry standards.
The main topics addressed in this course include:
 Productivity
 Decision making
 Process strategy
 Project management
 Total quality management
 Process analysis and design
 Forecasting for operations management
The content of this course is considered fundamental for anyone in hospitality management and,
therefore, is required of all School of Hospitality Management majors. Prior to this course, students are
required to have taken a course in computer programming with business applications, as well as a
course in elementary statistics. This course is a pre-requisite to financial management and marketing
courses in the curriculum. Assessment methods may include field reports, homework assignments,
reading assignments, case-based group projects and examinations.
Relation to other HM Courses
This course provides a toolkit of qualitative and quantitative information for hospitality decisionmaking. This course provides a basis for advanced work in finance (HRIM 435), marketing (HRIM 442),
and strategic planning (HRIM 490), as well as other courses where hospitality students make decisions
using various inputs.
Course Requirements
1 Exams
Three exams will be administered—two exams during the semester and a cumulative final exam. The
exams will cover material presented in the text, homework, and class sessions. The exams will be
closed-book and closed-note. The format may include multiple-choice, true-false, fill in the blank,
short answer, computational and essay questions. Exam 1 will contribute 25% toward your final grade.
Exams 2 will contribute 25% toward your final grade. The cumulative final exam will contribute 30%
toward your final grade.
You are expected to take exams as scheduled. Failure to do so will result in a zero. However, under
exceptional circumstances make-up exams will be permitted. A new and alternative exam will be
written for this purpose, and the content and format may differ from the original exam format. Makeup exams will only be granted when all three of the following conditions are met: 1) the student
notifies me within 24 hours of the scheduled exam time; 2) the circumstances are extenuating; and 3)
the student presents proof of the extenuating circumstances.
2 Homework Assignments
These assignments are found and submitted on your MyOMLab. All Homework assignments are due on
Fridays by 11:00PM. It is expected that ALL homework will be original and completed independently.
Homework’s can take up to 6 hours to complete. Homework assignments will contribute 10% to your
final grade.
3 Reading Assessment Quizzes
These Quizzes are found and submitted on your MyOMLab. All Reading Assessment Quizzes are due on
Tuesdays by 2:00PM. It is expected that ALL work will be original and completed independently.
Reading Assessments will contribute 10% to your final grade.
4 Attendance
Because an active learning environment is extremely important to development and learning, you are
expected to participate during class. While class attendance does not ensure active participation, it is
a necessary condition for such. Accordingly, you are expected to attend all classes and be fully
prepared to participate. Each student will be allowed three absences. One percentage point will be
deducted from your final grade for each absence beyond the three absences allowed. Attendance will
be taken at the beginning of class. Any student who arrives to class more than five minutes after
the official start of class cannot enter the classroom and will be marked absent for that day, no
exceptions. Absent students are responsible to catch up on class announcements, assignments and
materials covered in class.
Please note: except for medical emergencies (documented properly), there are no make-up
opportunities for students absent from class on test or submission days.
5 Time Requirements
Students should plan to spend a minimum of 3 hours per week outside of class to meet course
requirements.
Tentative Course Schedule
Note: Your learning is my principal concern. As such, I may need to modify the course schedule as necessary if
we need to spend more time on certain topics and/or less time on others.
WEEK 1

Course Introduction/Syllabus/Schedule/Expectations

Intro to MyOMLab
Jan 13-15

Practice Homework MyOMLab due January 16
WEEK 2 -3

Chapter 1 –Using Operations to Compete, read pages 4-6, 8-21.
Jan 20-22

Chapter 1 Reading Assessment due Jan 20, 2:00 PM
Jan 27-29

MyOMLab Homework 1 due Jan 30, 11 PM
WEEK 4-5

Chapter 8 Decision Making, read pages 261-266, 268-270
Feb 3-5

Chapter 8 Reading Assessment due Feb 3, 2:00 PM
Feb 10-12

Exam 1 February 12 - Chapters 1 & 8

MyOMLab Homework 2 due Feb 13, 11 PM

Chapter 2 - Project Management, read pages 31-52.

Chapter 2 Reading Assessment due Feb 17, 2:00 PM

MyOMLab Homework 3 due February 27 11 PM
WEEK 6-7
Feb 17-19
Feb 24-26
WEEK 8

Chapter 3 Process Strategy

Chapter 3 Reading Assessment due March 3, 2:00 PM
March 3-5
SPRING BREAK !!!!
WEEK 9-10

Chapter 4 Process Analysis Read pages 101-121

Chapter 4 Reading Assessment due March 17, 2:00 PM
March 17-19

Exam 2 March 26 – Chapters 3 & 4
March 24-26

Homework 4 due March 27 11PM
WEEK 11-12
March 31-Apr 2

Chapter 5 – Quality and Performance. Read pages 141-166

Chapter 5 Reading Assessment due March 31, 2:00 PM

MyOMLab Homework 5 due April 10 11PM

Chapter 7 – Forecasting. Read pages 217-239.
April 7-9
WEEK 13-`15

Chapter 7 Reading Assessment due April 14, 2:00 PM
April 14-16

MyOMLab Homework 6 due April 21 11PM
April 21-23

Final Exam Review
April 28-30
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May 4-8
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Final Exam : All Chapters
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Grading Policy
ASSIGNMENTS:
ALLOCATION TO TOTAL GRADE:
Exams
Exam 1 February 12
Exam 2 March 26
Final Exam TBD
Reading Assessments
25%
25%
30%
10%
GRADE SCALE:
A
94%
A-
90%
B+
87%
B
84%
B-
80%
77%
C
70%
Homework
10%
C+
Total
100%
D
60%
F
< 60%
Adjustments to Course Grades
The Instructor reserves the right to lower course grades for any inappropriate and non-professional
behavior. This includes, but is NOT limited to:







More than 3 unexcused absences during the semester will lower your final grade 1% for each
unexcused absence.
Late arrival to class
Leaving class early
Having your cell phone ring during class
Text messaging or other social medial in class.
Reading the Collegian or other non-HRIM 350 course materials
Performing non- HRIM 350 functions on the computers, such as playing games, IM, checking email, or surfing the Web.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest, and responsible manner.
Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all members of the University community. All
students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity in the completion of
course requirements.
If a student is in violation of academic integrity, a sanction can be recommended that may include
receiving a failing grade in the course. University guidelines for addressing academic integrity concerns
and sanctioning guidelines for offenses can be found at www.psu.edu/dept/oue/aappm/G-9.html. The
College of Health and Human Development’s academic integrity policies can be found at
hhdev.psu.edu/policies/academicintegrity.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to:
 Cheating: using cheat sheets, pre-programmed calculators or cell phones, and notes
when unauthorized to do so.
 Copying: looking at another student’s work, passing notes, and exchanging work with
another student.
 Plagiarism: failing to properly cite the work of others referenced in one’s work; copying
material directly from the internet; submitting the work of others from journals, papers,
or books; submitting another student’s work as one’s own.
 Tampering: changing one’s own or another student’s work; tampering with the work of
another student.
 Aiding and abetting: facilitating the dishonest work of another student; collaborating on
work without authorization; permitting another student to copy one’s work; writing work
for another student.
 Unauthorized possession: selling, buying, or stealing exams or other course materials;
failing to return exams on file or reviewed in class; possessing an exam without an
instructor’s permission.
 Submitting previous work: submitting any coursework that has been previously
submitted for credit in another course without the knowledge and permission of the
current course instructor.
 Ghosting and misrepresenting: taking an exam or performing a class assignment in place
of another student or having another student do the same in one’s place; signing in as
present in class for another student or having another student do the same in one’s
place.
 Altering graded work: changing incorrect answers and seeking favorable grade changes;
asserting that the instructor made a grading mistake in such instances.
Diversity
Diversity is broadly defined as “human differences,” including differences in age, disability, ethnicity,
gender, immigrant status, race, religion, sexual orientation, social class, and veteran status, among
others. In the School of Hospitality Management, we strive to demonstrate our appreciation and
commitment to the breadth of individual diversity. Accordingly, all individuals are expected to be open
to each other’s ideas and treat everyone with dignity and respect in this course.
Students with Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. If you have
a disability-related need for reasonable academic adjustments in this course, contact the Office for
Disability Services (ODS) at (814) 863-1807 (V/TTY). Please visit the ODS website for more information
at http://equity.psu.edu/ods/. In order to receive consideration for course accommodations, contact
ODS and provide documentation (see the documentation guidelines at
http://equity.psu.edu/ods/guidelines/documentation-guidelines). If the documentation supports the
need for academic adjustments, ODS will provide a letter identifying appropriate academic
adjustments. Please share this letter and discuss the adjustments with me as early in the course as
possible.
Educators Code of Conduct
Details about the Principles of Ethical College and University Teaching can be found at
www.gradsch.psu.edu/facstaff/tethics.html. Should a student experience conduct that is inconsistent
with ethical conduct, the student is encouraged to first address the issue with the instructor. Should
this attempt fail to resolve the issue, or if the nature of the problem is such that the student does not
feel comfortable addressing the issue with the instructor, the student may consult other individuals.
These individuals include, but are not limited to, the student’s academic or faculty advisor, professorin-charge of the undergraduate program, and the school director.
Emergency Preparedness Information
PSUTXT is a service designed to alert the Penn State community via text messages when situations arise
that affect the ability of the campus to function normally. Subscribers also can elect to have alerts
sent to an e-mail address. Subscription information can be found at http://live.psu.edu/psutxt.
Cell Phones
Cell phones must be turned off or silenced. If you are using your cell phone in class, you will be asked
to leave class for that period. In the event that you are expecting an important call, please see me at
the beginning of class.