A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH TOWARDS STRATEGIC HOTEL DEVELOPMENT: THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Purpose: The threatening rapid degradation of the environment makes a necessity to follow a sustainable environmental approach for obtaining a successful and balanced hotel development. Managers’ perspective towards this approach is essential and their attitude has a key role in succeeding in this implementation. The study presented aims to explore the factors that are driving and influencing management to follow this approach. Design/methodology/approach: Diffusion of innovation theory has been used as underpinning for this study, a questionnaire-based survey has been distributed to hotels ranging from one star to five-star categories in Hyderabad, India which is a home for branded Indian and international hotels. Findings: This study has developed and tested characteristics such as  (innovation practices, organizational behavior, and external environment) has the most influencing factor that drives managers of a hotel to follow a sustainable environmental approach. Practical implications: The information generated from this study could clarify the management’s perspective. These factors should have more attention from the government, stakeholders and other green bodies within the country, to provide hotels with support to facilitate engagement in a sustainable environmental approach. Originality/value: There is a scarcity of literature in studying environmental sustainability in the hotel industry within Indian context, especially Hyderabad. This study sheds light on the importance of management perspective and role toward this changing in doing the business.