A recently released book entitled “Winning Across Borders : Executive Perceptions on Globalization” explores the challenges brought about by globalization to the travel industry and offers strategic solutions for hospitality managers.

The book was based on the extensive research conducted by globalization experts Dr. J. Mark Munoz of Millikin University and Dr. Marios Katsioloudes of the American University of Sharjah. The authors conducted executive interviews among 118 senior level travel executives in 35 countries. The respondents represented the hospitality industry, travel services, tourism, and the airline sectors. The majority of the respondents possessed twenty (20) years of work experience and handled senior management roles. Countries included in the survey were Austria, Australia, Bahrain, China, Canada, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Guinea, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United States, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

Excerpts of the research used in the book have been well received in the business and academic communities. Research findings have been published in leading industry journals such as the International Journal for Contemporary Hospitality Management, Journal of Global Business and Technology, Journal of Human Resources Management in the Travel Industry, and Advances in Global Business Research. The authors were awarded two Best Research Paper Awards in major international conferences.

In the book, an explanation is offered on how and why the global environment has affected business functions such as general management, sales and marketing, accounting and finance, information technology, and human resources development.

“Winning Across Borders” highlights several findings that are essential for contemporary management in the hospitality industry. Examples are :

1. business dynamics have evolved due to globalization and the right combination of innovation and strategy execution is critical for success,
2. competition is intense due to the growing ease in brand development across countries,
3. management decentralization has contributed to operational success in international expansions in the industry,
4. strategic alliances with governments and other travel industry players can optimize business growth, and
5. efficient use of technologies and information management can offer a competitive advantage for travel companies.

Lead author, Dr. J. Mark Munoz , points out that “Many managers in the hospitality industry need to better understand the impact of globalization in their business. Several respondents in our study claimed that they were pressured and threatened by heightened market integration. There is need for industry practitioners to carefully assess their organization’s global preparedness, address these fears, and strategize accordingly.”

The book has received excellent reviews from industry leaders in several countries. Dr. Ilan Alon, Chair of International Business at Rollins College in Florida, USA described the book as “an excellent addition to the bookshelves of travel executives worldwide." Dr. Brian King, Head of School of Hospitality and Tourism in Victoria University, Australia commented that the book is “timely in view of the wide range of recent external shocks which have impacted the travel and tourism sector internationally…Highly recommended.” Rick Antonson, CEO of Tourism Vancouver, Canada said "Munoz and Katsioloudes give travel and tourism its due respect, something often overlooked in the 'meld-all-sectors-together' approaches of many academics.”