Assignment – Technology’s Impact on the Hotel Worker and Unions

Instructions: You are required to answer the following questions. You should save your answers in a Word document for submission. Please do not repeat the questions on your answer sheet. Instead, please list the answers numerically/sequentially by simply utilizing 1, 2, 3, and 4. Each assignment must have a cover page listing your name, the name of the assignment, and the date. The cover page does not count towards the word count. For each assignment, you are expected to answer the assigned questions in your own words. Each assignment paper should be at least 250 words. Papers less than the required 250 words will get zero. This does not mean each question requires a 250-word response; rather, the total number of words for answering the questions must total more than 250 words. An exemplary answer demonstrates comprehension through a complete understanding by translating, interpreting and extrapolation as well as full analysis of the basic information into elements by identifying causes and relationships. Assignment – Read the assigned article then answer the questions/prompts below. The author discusses the impact that technological advances have and will have on the day-to-day operations of the hotel industry. Unions, who represent the vast majority of hotel line employees in San Francisco (only 7.6% nationwide), have seen technology (e.g., robots in car manufacturing) replace many works and hence Unions purpose and funding (i.e., worker dues). Reading

1. Porter, E. (2018, 09/24). Hotel Workers Fret Over a New Rival: Alexa at the Front Desk. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/24/business/economy/hotel- workers-ai-technology-alexa.html

Questions/prompts

1. The article, mentions that “Still, history suggests that the most powerful motivation to deploy new technologies has been the opportunity to reduce labor costs. From 1993 to 2007, Professors Acemoglu and Restrepo estimated, each new robot cut 5.6 jobs and reduced wages by 0.5 percent.” (Porter, 2018)

o Do you agree or disagree with the premise that the reduction in labor costs is the primary motivator of technology deployment in hotels? Provide support/references for your point of view.

o Can or should Unions drive provisions into their contracts with hotel companies that would prevent any technology that eliminates a union job? Why or why not?

o Support your argument(s) (for or against) with facts and figures. 2. In general, the article was written from a “Union’s perspective.” As a future hotel manager, how

does the hotel guest’s needs and ultimate satisfaction play into this relevant topic?

Sample Reflection Paper Format/Outline

• The following outline should be used for your reflection paper. You are not required

to use the titles (e.g., Brief Introduction, Body, etc.) but should use this general format when writing your paper.

• Cover Page o Title of paper to include the following: o Reflection Paper Title o Student Name and ID o Course Title and Section o Professor Name and Title o Due Date of Submission

• Main Paper o Brief Introduction

§ Introduce the topic to the reader and summarize your reflection of this topic/article.

o Body § Address the following prompts as prescribed in the assignment.

Include 3-4 examples for each prompt o Conclusion

§ Conclude the reflection paper by summarizing your comments and main points to the reader.

o References § Include any references that were used in your reflection paper

including the main authors. Use APA style. Plagiarism – Unless noted otherwise, assignments will be submitted through Turnitin.com. It is strongly encouraged that you provide citations for any source/reference that is used in your writing. Turnitin.com provides both a “match” analysis and grammar analysis. Your “match” rating must be under 20% and ideally under 15%. Points will be deducted for high match ratings, including failure of the assignment.