Purpose This research uses the institutional theory perspective to better understand the social d... more Purpose This research uses the institutional theory perspective to better understand the social dynamics of the European Union (EU) tourism policy and its directions. The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the processes, content and outcomes of EU tourism policy. Design/methodology/approach A thorough literature review involving a critical discourse analysis on the regulative, normative and cultural elements of institutionalisation improves our understanding of the EU policy, in terms of its processes, content and outcomes. Therefore, this paper explores how the European institutions have incrementally legitimised tourism policy among Member States. Findings Over the years, the EU’s policies were intended to enhance the European single market whilst supporting the growth of the industrial competitiveness, sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship. This has inevitably led to the development of new policies in the realms of tourism. Originality/value This contribution h...
This article reviews the procedural complexity of tourism policy-making by the European Commissio... more This article reviews the procedural complexity of tourism policy-making by the European Commission leading up to the 2010 Communication. Initially, the European Commission had to present interventions affecting tourism as a community action or measure; intended to assist in the implementation of the Internal Market. Later, integration of the sustainable development principle into European Treaties established a framework for governance and a foundation for tourism policy, and the Lisbon Treaty in 2007 established a European policy that explicitly related to tourism, albeit a complementary competence in character. This article highlights a lack of leadership from the Member States throughout the process and contrasts this with the self-serving, driving force of the Commission in making tourism policy that focuses primarily on promotional actions. Consequently, the Commission has not created a robust, dynamic, flexible European model for tourism, designed in a way to best serve the needs of the Member States.
Tourism marketing has typically been seen as exploitative and fuelling hedonistic consumerism. Su... more Tourism marketing has typically been seen as exploitative and fuelling hedonistic consumerism. Sustainability marketing can, however use marketing skills and techniques to good purpose, by understanding market needs, designing more sustainable products, and identifying more persuasive methods of communication to bring behavioural change. This article summarises the latest research on the theories, methods and results of marketing that seeks to make tourist destinations better places to live in, and better places to visit. It explores sustainability marketing's two fundamental approaches, that of market development, using market segmentation, and that of sustainable product development. It introduces a Special Issue of the journal on sustainable marketing, sharing evidence on the motivations, mechanisms and barriers that businesses encounter, and on successes in changing consumer behaviour and pursuing sustainability goals. Particular attention is given to the methodologies of sustainable tourism marketing, to the subject's breadth and complexity of the subject, and to the many innovations in this area. Further research is called for to fully understand what contextual aspects influence these pro-sustainability interventions to achieve which outcomes in other settings, in order to validate some of the exploratory studies discussed, and establish the feasibility of scaling up pilot studies for more general use.
O objetivo do estudo foi identificar o comportamento responsável de empresas de turismo no Brasil... more O objetivo do estudo foi identificar o comportamento responsável de empresas de turismo no Brasil e seus motivos para implementar tais ações. A pesquisa obteve 1.350 respostas de empresas de turismo pertencentes a diversos segmentos, tais como alojamento, viagens, alimentação e transporte turístico. A metodologia foi composta por coleta de dados quantitativa via internet, seguida de interpretação baseada em estatística descritiva e análise de clusters. Os resultados indicaram que, entre as empresas de turismo do Brasil, as medidas ambientais são as mais frequentemente implementadas, com destaque para aquelas voltadas para a economia de energia ou água. A análise evidenciou dois grupos distintos, respaldados pelo referencial teórico, quando se trata das razões para implementar as práticas responsáveis: um com foco nos negócios e outro com foco nos indivíduos. Enquanto o primeiro apresenta razões inerentes ao negócio, tais como redução de custos e ampliação da competitividade; o outro...
Social-cognitive theory is used to test the argument that the motivations behind sustainable tour... more Social-cognitive theory is used to test the argument that the motivations behind sustainable tourism, and the types of sustainable actions undertaken, depend on one's empathy towards sustainability. Latin American businesses were surveyed about their motivations for acting sustainably and any sustainability actions undertaken. Based on their responses, TwoStep cluster analysis found four clusters (cost, legitimisation, biospheric, and lifestyle). Acceptance of responsibility to be more sustainable depends on one's level of empathy with, and attachment to, sustainability, explained by a beneficiary focus (personal norms that drive one to act to help oneself or others) and a cultural focus (acting in response to individualistic or collectivistic social norms). Lifestyle businesses are argued to be culturally individualistic but self-transcendent in benefit focus.
Turismo Y Sostenibilidad V Jornadas De Investigacion En Turismo Sevilla 17 Y 18 De Mayo De 2012 2012 Pags 583 605, 2012
espanolEste trabajo realiza un analisis de la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC) en las peq... more espanolEste trabajo realiza un analisis de la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC) en las pequenas y medianas empresas (pymes) turisticas en Europa. En dos diferentes estudios hemos analizado las practicas de responsabilidad, las razones y las barreras para la aplicacion de las mismas y su relacion con las caracteristicas de los negocios. Entre los resultados, la mayoria de las empresas encuestadas tienen un perfil avanzado de introduccion de la RSC, confirmandose la introduccion de practicas que van mas alla de las tradicionales medidas de ahorro de costes. Sus principales razones para introducir las medidas no son estrictamente economicas sino altruistas pero el principal obstaculo para introducirlas sigue siendo la falta de presupuesto. Ademas, se demuestra la relacion entre estas practicas y los resultados financieros de la empresa. Palabras clave: Responsabilidad Social Corporativa, Resultados Financieros, Pymes Turisticas, Destinos Maduros, Areas Protegidas, Cataluna, Europa EnglishThis work analyzes Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in tourism small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Europe. In two different studies we have analyzed the relationship between responsibility practices, reasons and barriers to their implementation and their relationship with business characteristics. Among the results, most of the companies surveyed have an advanced profile introducing CSR, confirming the implementation of practices that go beyond traditional ecosavings. Their principal reason for introducing these measures is not strictly economic but altruistic but the main obstacle is the lack of budget. Furthermore, we demonstrate the association between these practices and corporate financial performance. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Financial Performance, Tourism SMEs, Mature Destinations, Protected Areas, Catalonia, Europe
theyhave not always satisfied this intention as CSR reports do not always represent a genuine att... more theyhave not always satisfied this intention as CSR reports do not always represent a genuine attempt to account for negative as well as positive aspects of all material impacts (Adams, 2004). There are different practices that undermine the benefits of transparency and credibility, and a wide range of theories about why and how companies report. Voluntary disclosure theory claims that firms are willing to disclose good news to differentiate themselves following a resource-based view of the firm (Barney, 1991; Branco & Rodrigues, 2006; Healy & Palepu, 2001), often tested by suggesting a positive relation between financial and sustainability performance (Campbell, 2007; Garay & Font, 2012). In contrast, stakeholder and legitimacy theory see disclosure as a response to social and political pressures and is therefore reactive, predicting a negative relation between environmental performance and voluntary environmental disclosure (Adams, Hill, & Roberts, 1998; Deegan, 2002; Hooghiemstra, 2000). Since legitimacy relies on meeting social systems' expectations, this approach lends itself well to explain Carroll's definition in the first paragraph, although there are those claiming that market-driven stakeholder accountability will produce reports that are in the organization's best interests (Gray, et al., 1997). Reputation risk management and impression management are commonly the intended purpose behind corporate social reporting (Bebbington, Larrinaga, & Moneva, 2008; Hooghiemstra, 2000). Evidence suggests that environmental managers determine the contents of their CSR reports based on their understanding of the relative importance of different stakeholders (Cormier, Gordon, & Magnan, 2004). Firms prefer to disclose major environmental events when they feel threatened by stakeholders, and disclose by defending what has been done about it retrospectively as a means of maintaining or restoring legitimacy (Elijido-Ten, Kloot, & Clarkson, 2010). Deegan (2002) summarizes some of the possible reasons for disclosure as economic rationality, acceptance of accountability responsibilities, and meeting requirements of or preventing pressure from various stakeholders including government, lenders, buyers, suppliers, industry associations, amongst others. Companies disclose more according to their size, ownership-publicly traded or government owned-, low levels of debt, age of fixed assets, environmental footprint and risk (Cormier,
What motivates firms to adopt environmental management practices is one of the most significant a... more What motivates firms to adopt environmental management practices is one of the most significant aspects in the contemporary academic debate in which the review of the existing literature yields, with an obvious contextual bias toward developed world, contested theories and inconclusive findings. Providing a unique model that brings together the individual and organizational levels of analysis on firms’ adoption of environmental management practices, this study aims to provide a new insight from the context of developing world. Data from 158 Red Sea hotels reveal two identifiable dimensions of environmental management—planning and organization, and operations—that can be explained as originating from different values. Whereas organizational altruism is a powerful predictor of both dimensions, managers’ personal values and organizational competitive orientation are only relevant to environmental operations. The evidence also indicates that contextual variables such as chain affiliatio...
What is the impact of hotels on local economic development? Applying value chain analysis to indi... more What is the impact of hotels on local economic development? Applying value chain analysis to individual businesses. Anatolia, 26 (3). 347-358.
Tourism marketing has typically been seen as exploitative and fuelling hedonistic consumerism. Su... more Tourism marketing has typically been seen as exploitative and fuelling hedonistic consumerism. Sustainability marketing can, however, use marketing skills and techniques to good purpose, by understanding market needs, designing more sustainable products and identifying more persuasive methods of communication to bring behavioural change. This article summarises the latest research on the theories, methods and results of marketing that seeks to make tourist destinations better places to live in, and better places to visit. It explores sustainability marketing’s two fundamental approaches, that of market development, using market segmentation, and that of sustainable product development. It introduces a Special Issue of the Journal of Sustainable Tourism on sustainable marketing, sharing evidence on the motivations, mechanisms and barriers that businesses encounter, and on successes in changing consumer behaviour and pursuing sustainability goals. Particular attention is given to the methodologies of sustainable tourism marketing, to the subject’s breadth and complexity, and to its many innovations. Further research is called for to fully understand what contextual aspects influence these prosustainability interventions to achieve which outcomes in other settings, in order to validate some of the exploratory studies discussed, and establish the feasibility of scaling up pilot studies for more general use.
This section of the journal encourages discussion between several authors on a policy-related top... more This section of the journal encourages discussion between several authors on a policy-related topic. The same question may, therefore, be addressed from different theoretical, cultural or spatial perspectives. Dialogues may be applied or highly abstract. This Dialogue starts with this contribution and is followed by three comments by Jim Butcher http://dx.
Creating shared value (CSV) involves connecting company success with social progress. This shared... more Creating shared value (CSV) involves connecting company success with social progress. This shared element of CSV resonates with the mandate of destination management organisations to be accountable to all stakeholders for the progress of the destination. This study tests the feasibility of a destination's stakeholders adopting a CSV approach and by doing so, to take responsibility for that destination's future. Semi-structured interviews gathered opinions from 16 members of the General Council, the Executive Committee, and the Steering Committee of the highly acclaimed Turisme de Barcelona (TdB), the official organisation for the promotion of tourism in Barcelona, Spain. The results show that the complexities of changing the organisation's mandate, in a public-private partnership where consensus is needed, would be extremely difficult to navigate. Even if possible, the outcomes would likely step on the toes of other institutions. The feasibility of integrating CSV into the mandate, in order to move destination marketing organisations towards destination management organisations is problematised as a 'wicked' problem using Foucault's notion of power in stakeholder relationships. The results show the inherent difficulties of introducing sustainability values into a multi-stakeholder, public-private partnership, and allow lessons to be drawn about how realistic CSV may be as a guiding philosophy.
Greenhushing selectively communicates fewer pro-sustainability actions by businesses than are pra... more Greenhushing selectively communicates fewer pro-sustainability actions by businesses than are practiced; based on a perception of customers' rights to consumerism. We first studied the gap between the communication of sustainability practices in the audits and websites of 31 small rural tourism businesses in the Peak District National Park (UK). The analysis showed that businesses only communicate 30% of all the sustainability actions practiced. Their websites emphasised customer benefits, using explicit, affective, experiential and active language that legitimises the customers' hedonistic use of the landscape, while downplaying complex issues and normalising sustainability to reduce customer guilt. Just one website mentioned climate change. We found that greenhushing results from a low moral intensity, masking potentially negative consequences of perceived lower competence, whilst protecting business from more cynical consumers who may interpret their statements as hypocritical. Subsequent textual analysis and interviews were used to understand how communication constitutes these organisations. We propose that greenhushing reshapes and constitutes tourism businesses through their communications. Moreover, greenhushing is a form of public moralisation that adopts communication practices similar to greenwashing, reflecting the social norms expected from a business; however, in this case, located in a moral muteness, rather than moral hypocrisy, that businesses accept but resent. Abstract Greenhushing selectively communicates fewer pro-sustainability actions by businesses than are practiced; based on a perception of customers' rights to consumerism. We first studied the gap between the communication of sustainability practices in the audits and websites of 31 small rural tourism businesses in the Peak District National Park (UK). The analysis showed that businesses only communicate 30% of all the sustainability actions practiced. Their websites emphasised customer benefits, using explicit, affective, experiential and active language that legitimises the customers' hedonistic use of the landscape, while downplaying complex issues and normalising sustainability to reduce customer guilt. Just one website mentioned climate change. We found that greenhushing results from a low moral intensity, masking potentially negative consequences of perceived lower competence, whilst protecting business from more cynical consumers who may interpret their statements as hypocritical. Subsequent textual analysis and interviews were used to understand how communication constitutes these organisations. We propose that greenhushing reshapes and constitutes tourism businesses through their communications. Moreover, greenhushing is a form of public moralisation that adopts communication practices similar to greenwashing, reflecting the social norms expected from a business; however, in this case, located in a moral muteness, rather than moral hypocrisy, that businesses accept but resent.
EC tourism policy-making responds to the creation of the Internal Market. The current European st... more EC tourism policy-making responds to the creation of the Internal Market. The current European strategy endows the strategy conceived in the 80'se90's. Tourism is a " tool " for sustainable growth and competitiveness, not a full policy. The sustainable development principle in the Treaties lays the policy foundations. EC competence and EU legislature have eroded Member States' sovereignty. a b s t r a c t This article reviews the procedural complexity of tourism policy-making by the European Commission leading up to the 2010 Communication. Initially, the European Commission had to present interventions affecting tourism as a community action or measure; intended to assist in the implementation of the Internal Market. Later, integration of the sustainable development principle into European Treaties established a framework for governance and a foundation for tourism policy, and the Lisbon Treaty in 2007 established a European policy that explicitly related to tourism, albeit a complementary competence in character. This article highlights a lack of leadership from the Member States throughout the process and contrasts this with the self-serving, driving force of the Commission in making tourism policy that focuses primarily on promotional actions. Consequently, the Commission has not created a robust, dynamic, flexible European model for tourism, designed in a way to best serve the needs of the Member States.
Social-Cognitive Theory is used to test the argument that the motivations behind sustainable tour... more Social-Cognitive Theory is used to test the argument that the motivations behind sustainable tourism, and the types of sustainable actions undertaken, depend on one’s empathy towards sustainability. Latin American businesses were surveyed about their motivations for acting sustainably and any sustainability actions undertaken. Based on their responses, TwoStep cluster analysis found four clusters (cost, legitimisation, biospheric, and lifestyle). Acceptance of responsibility to be more sustainable depends on one’s level of empathy with, and attachment to, sustainability, explained by a beneficiary focus (personal norms that drive one to act to help oneself or others) and a cultural focus (acting in response to individualistic or collectivistic social norms). Lifestyle businesses are argued to be culturally individualistic but selftranscendent in benefit focus.
The impact of mainstream tourist hotels on destination economies is clearly an important question... more The impact of mainstream tourist hotels on destination economies is clearly an important question for public policy-makers wishing to develop robust tourism policy. We adapt the methodology of value chain analysis to measure the local economic impact of a large, single tourism enterprise, to show how to generate commercially realistic data using the example of an analysis of a 1,000 room All-Inclusive resort in Southern Turkey in partnership with TUI UK and Ireland. The data breaks down package revenues according to their beneficiaries and identifies areas for improvement. We further report and reflect on a 6 month evaluation of a tour operator-hotel partnership to deliver on a set of positive recommendations arising from the date to improve future impact.
Sustainability policies and corporate reports demonstrate the impacts cruise companies acknowledg... more Sustainability policies and corporate reports demonstrate the impacts cruise companies acknowledge as their responsibility, and the actions put in place to address them. This paper develops a corporate social responsibility index based on the Global Reporting Initiative, with industry specific additions including labor and human rights, health and safety, and environmental and economic aspects. Companies disclose more management than performance data, which is typical of early stages of development. Companies disclosing less information focus on soft indicators which are easy to mimic and demonstrate posturing. Items disclosed tend to be marginal to the core of the business, have a positive economic impact or preempt sector regulation. Reports echo the voice of the corporations and not the demands of stakeholders. Institutional isomorphism has not influenced a homogenization in reporting, with only the largest firms reporting at this stage.
A survey of around 900 tourism enterprises in 57 European protected areas shows that small firms ... more A survey of around 900 tourism enterprises in 57 European protected areas shows that small firms are more involved in taking responsibility for being sustainable than previously expected, including eco-savings related operational practices but also reporting a wide range of social and economic responsibility actions. Two-step cluster analysis was used to group the firms in three groups based on their motivations to be sustainable. Business driven firms implement primarily eco-savings activities and are commercially oriented. Legitimization driven firms respond to perceived stakeholder pressure and report a broad spectrum of activities. Lifestyle and value driven firms report the greatest number of environmental, social and economic activities. No profile has a higher business performance than average. The study has implications for policy programmes promoting sustainability behaviour change based primarily on a business case argument.
This article analyses the use of mixed methods in papers published in the Journal of Sustainable ... more This article analyses the use of mixed methods in papers published in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism over the 10 years, 2005–2014. First, a content analysis of the articles shows that mixed methods are used primarily for expansion and development of results, and less often for triangulation or complementarity. Sequential designs are slightly more popular than simultaneous designs, with qualitative research preceding the quantitative element. In the majority of cases, both the quantitative and qualitative methods have equivalent importance, yet where one is dominant, this is usually the quantitative part. Second, we contextualise the content analysis by exemplifying the use of mixed methods in selected papers, using commentary from authors who have recently published mixed methods papers. We reflect on the reasons for, strengths and weaknesses of using mixed methods, and we argue that mixed methods provide sustainable tourism academics with more opportunities for pragmatic transformative research for societal change, and increasing research reliability in relation to social desirability bias, stakeholder comparisons and transdisciplinarity. The paper notes the need for greater understanding of mixed methods by researchers, its special value and growing importance in sustainable tourism research, and its challenges and strengths for authors and editors.
Purpose This research uses the institutional theory perspective to better understand the social d... more Purpose This research uses the institutional theory perspective to better understand the social dynamics of the European Union (EU) tourism policy and its directions. The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the processes, content and outcomes of EU tourism policy. Design/methodology/approach A thorough literature review involving a critical discourse analysis on the regulative, normative and cultural elements of institutionalisation improves our understanding of the EU policy, in terms of its processes, content and outcomes. Therefore, this paper explores how the European institutions have incrementally legitimised tourism policy among Member States. Findings Over the years, the EU’s policies were intended to enhance the European single market whilst supporting the growth of the industrial competitiveness, sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship. This has inevitably led to the development of new policies in the realms of tourism. Originality/value This contribution h...
This article reviews the procedural complexity of tourism policy-making by the European Commissio... more This article reviews the procedural complexity of tourism policy-making by the European Commission leading up to the 2010 Communication. Initially, the European Commission had to present interventions affecting tourism as a community action or measure; intended to assist in the implementation of the Internal Market. Later, integration of the sustainable development principle into European Treaties established a framework for governance and a foundation for tourism policy, and the Lisbon Treaty in 2007 established a European policy that explicitly related to tourism, albeit a complementary competence in character. This article highlights a lack of leadership from the Member States throughout the process and contrasts this with the self-serving, driving force of the Commission in making tourism policy that focuses primarily on promotional actions. Consequently, the Commission has not created a robust, dynamic, flexible European model for tourism, designed in a way to best serve the needs of the Member States.
Tourism marketing has typically been seen as exploitative and fuelling hedonistic consumerism. Su... more Tourism marketing has typically been seen as exploitative and fuelling hedonistic consumerism. Sustainability marketing can, however use marketing skills and techniques to good purpose, by understanding market needs, designing more sustainable products, and identifying more persuasive methods of communication to bring behavioural change. This article summarises the latest research on the theories, methods and results of marketing that seeks to make tourist destinations better places to live in, and better places to visit. It explores sustainability marketing's two fundamental approaches, that of market development, using market segmentation, and that of sustainable product development. It introduces a Special Issue of the journal on sustainable marketing, sharing evidence on the motivations, mechanisms and barriers that businesses encounter, and on successes in changing consumer behaviour and pursuing sustainability goals. Particular attention is given to the methodologies of sustainable tourism marketing, to the subject's breadth and complexity of the subject, and to the many innovations in this area. Further research is called for to fully understand what contextual aspects influence these pro-sustainability interventions to achieve which outcomes in other settings, in order to validate some of the exploratory studies discussed, and establish the feasibility of scaling up pilot studies for more general use.
O objetivo do estudo foi identificar o comportamento responsável de empresas de turismo no Brasil... more O objetivo do estudo foi identificar o comportamento responsável de empresas de turismo no Brasil e seus motivos para implementar tais ações. A pesquisa obteve 1.350 respostas de empresas de turismo pertencentes a diversos segmentos, tais como alojamento, viagens, alimentação e transporte turístico. A metodologia foi composta por coleta de dados quantitativa via internet, seguida de interpretação baseada em estatística descritiva e análise de clusters. Os resultados indicaram que, entre as empresas de turismo do Brasil, as medidas ambientais são as mais frequentemente implementadas, com destaque para aquelas voltadas para a economia de energia ou água. A análise evidenciou dois grupos distintos, respaldados pelo referencial teórico, quando se trata das razões para implementar as práticas responsáveis: um com foco nos negócios e outro com foco nos indivíduos. Enquanto o primeiro apresenta razões inerentes ao negócio, tais como redução de custos e ampliação da competitividade; o outro...
Social-cognitive theory is used to test the argument that the motivations behind sustainable tour... more Social-cognitive theory is used to test the argument that the motivations behind sustainable tourism, and the types of sustainable actions undertaken, depend on one's empathy towards sustainability. Latin American businesses were surveyed about their motivations for acting sustainably and any sustainability actions undertaken. Based on their responses, TwoStep cluster analysis found four clusters (cost, legitimisation, biospheric, and lifestyle). Acceptance of responsibility to be more sustainable depends on one's level of empathy with, and attachment to, sustainability, explained by a beneficiary focus (personal norms that drive one to act to help oneself or others) and a cultural focus (acting in response to individualistic or collectivistic social norms). Lifestyle businesses are argued to be culturally individualistic but self-transcendent in benefit focus.
Turismo Y Sostenibilidad V Jornadas De Investigacion En Turismo Sevilla 17 Y 18 De Mayo De 2012 2012 Pags 583 605, 2012
espanolEste trabajo realiza un analisis de la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC) en las peq... more espanolEste trabajo realiza un analisis de la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC) en las pequenas y medianas empresas (pymes) turisticas en Europa. En dos diferentes estudios hemos analizado las practicas de responsabilidad, las razones y las barreras para la aplicacion de las mismas y su relacion con las caracteristicas de los negocios. Entre los resultados, la mayoria de las empresas encuestadas tienen un perfil avanzado de introduccion de la RSC, confirmandose la introduccion de practicas que van mas alla de las tradicionales medidas de ahorro de costes. Sus principales razones para introducir las medidas no son estrictamente economicas sino altruistas pero el principal obstaculo para introducirlas sigue siendo la falta de presupuesto. Ademas, se demuestra la relacion entre estas practicas y los resultados financieros de la empresa. Palabras clave: Responsabilidad Social Corporativa, Resultados Financieros, Pymes Turisticas, Destinos Maduros, Areas Protegidas, Cataluna, Europa EnglishThis work analyzes Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in tourism small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Europe. In two different studies we have analyzed the relationship between responsibility practices, reasons and barriers to their implementation and their relationship with business characteristics. Among the results, most of the companies surveyed have an advanced profile introducing CSR, confirming the implementation of practices that go beyond traditional ecosavings. Their principal reason for introducing these measures is not strictly economic but altruistic but the main obstacle is the lack of budget. Furthermore, we demonstrate the association between these practices and corporate financial performance. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Financial Performance, Tourism SMEs, Mature Destinations, Protected Areas, Catalonia, Europe
theyhave not always satisfied this intention as CSR reports do not always represent a genuine att... more theyhave not always satisfied this intention as CSR reports do not always represent a genuine attempt to account for negative as well as positive aspects of all material impacts (Adams, 2004). There are different practices that undermine the benefits of transparency and credibility, and a wide range of theories about why and how companies report. Voluntary disclosure theory claims that firms are willing to disclose good news to differentiate themselves following a resource-based view of the firm (Barney, 1991; Branco & Rodrigues, 2006; Healy & Palepu, 2001), often tested by suggesting a positive relation between financial and sustainability performance (Campbell, 2007; Garay & Font, 2012). In contrast, stakeholder and legitimacy theory see disclosure as a response to social and political pressures and is therefore reactive, predicting a negative relation between environmental performance and voluntary environmental disclosure (Adams, Hill, & Roberts, 1998; Deegan, 2002; Hooghiemstra, 2000). Since legitimacy relies on meeting social systems' expectations, this approach lends itself well to explain Carroll's definition in the first paragraph, although there are those claiming that market-driven stakeholder accountability will produce reports that are in the organization's best interests (Gray, et al., 1997). Reputation risk management and impression management are commonly the intended purpose behind corporate social reporting (Bebbington, Larrinaga, & Moneva, 2008; Hooghiemstra, 2000). Evidence suggests that environmental managers determine the contents of their CSR reports based on their understanding of the relative importance of different stakeholders (Cormier, Gordon, & Magnan, 2004). Firms prefer to disclose major environmental events when they feel threatened by stakeholders, and disclose by defending what has been done about it retrospectively as a means of maintaining or restoring legitimacy (Elijido-Ten, Kloot, & Clarkson, 2010). Deegan (2002) summarizes some of the possible reasons for disclosure as economic rationality, acceptance of accountability responsibilities, and meeting requirements of or preventing pressure from various stakeholders including government, lenders, buyers, suppliers, industry associations, amongst others. Companies disclose more according to their size, ownership-publicly traded or government owned-, low levels of debt, age of fixed assets, environmental footprint and risk (Cormier,
What motivates firms to adopt environmental management practices is one of the most significant a... more What motivates firms to adopt environmental management practices is one of the most significant aspects in the contemporary academic debate in which the review of the existing literature yields, with an obvious contextual bias toward developed world, contested theories and inconclusive findings. Providing a unique model that brings together the individual and organizational levels of analysis on firms’ adoption of environmental management practices, this study aims to provide a new insight from the context of developing world. Data from 158 Red Sea hotels reveal two identifiable dimensions of environmental management—planning and organization, and operations—that can be explained as originating from different values. Whereas organizational altruism is a powerful predictor of both dimensions, managers’ personal values and organizational competitive orientation are only relevant to environmental operations. The evidence also indicates that contextual variables such as chain affiliatio...
What is the impact of hotels on local economic development? Applying value chain analysis to indi... more What is the impact of hotels on local economic development? Applying value chain analysis to individual businesses. Anatolia, 26 (3). 347-358.
Tourism marketing has typically been seen as exploitative and fuelling hedonistic consumerism. Su... more Tourism marketing has typically been seen as exploitative and fuelling hedonistic consumerism. Sustainability marketing can, however, use marketing skills and techniques to good purpose, by understanding market needs, designing more sustainable products and identifying more persuasive methods of communication to bring behavioural change. This article summarises the latest research on the theories, methods and results of marketing that seeks to make tourist destinations better places to live in, and better places to visit. It explores sustainability marketing’s two fundamental approaches, that of market development, using market segmentation, and that of sustainable product development. It introduces a Special Issue of the Journal of Sustainable Tourism on sustainable marketing, sharing evidence on the motivations, mechanisms and barriers that businesses encounter, and on successes in changing consumer behaviour and pursuing sustainability goals. Particular attention is given to the methodologies of sustainable tourism marketing, to the subject’s breadth and complexity, and to its many innovations. Further research is called for to fully understand what contextual aspects influence these prosustainability interventions to achieve which outcomes in other settings, in order to validate some of the exploratory studies discussed, and establish the feasibility of scaling up pilot studies for more general use.
This section of the journal encourages discussion between several authors on a policy-related top... more This section of the journal encourages discussion between several authors on a policy-related topic. The same question may, therefore, be addressed from different theoretical, cultural or spatial perspectives. Dialogues may be applied or highly abstract. This Dialogue starts with this contribution and is followed by three comments by Jim Butcher http://dx.
Creating shared value (CSV) involves connecting company success with social progress. This shared... more Creating shared value (CSV) involves connecting company success with social progress. This shared element of CSV resonates with the mandate of destination management organisations to be accountable to all stakeholders for the progress of the destination. This study tests the feasibility of a destination's stakeholders adopting a CSV approach and by doing so, to take responsibility for that destination's future. Semi-structured interviews gathered opinions from 16 members of the General Council, the Executive Committee, and the Steering Committee of the highly acclaimed Turisme de Barcelona (TdB), the official organisation for the promotion of tourism in Barcelona, Spain. The results show that the complexities of changing the organisation's mandate, in a public-private partnership where consensus is needed, would be extremely difficult to navigate. Even if possible, the outcomes would likely step on the toes of other institutions. The feasibility of integrating CSV into the mandate, in order to move destination marketing organisations towards destination management organisations is problematised as a 'wicked' problem using Foucault's notion of power in stakeholder relationships. The results show the inherent difficulties of introducing sustainability values into a multi-stakeholder, public-private partnership, and allow lessons to be drawn about how realistic CSV may be as a guiding philosophy.
Greenhushing selectively communicates fewer pro-sustainability actions by businesses than are pra... more Greenhushing selectively communicates fewer pro-sustainability actions by businesses than are practiced; based on a perception of customers' rights to consumerism. We first studied the gap between the communication of sustainability practices in the audits and websites of 31 small rural tourism businesses in the Peak District National Park (UK). The analysis showed that businesses only communicate 30% of all the sustainability actions practiced. Their websites emphasised customer benefits, using explicit, affective, experiential and active language that legitimises the customers' hedonistic use of the landscape, while downplaying complex issues and normalising sustainability to reduce customer guilt. Just one website mentioned climate change. We found that greenhushing results from a low moral intensity, masking potentially negative consequences of perceived lower competence, whilst protecting business from more cynical consumers who may interpret their statements as hypocritical. Subsequent textual analysis and interviews were used to understand how communication constitutes these organisations. We propose that greenhushing reshapes and constitutes tourism businesses through their communications. Moreover, greenhushing is a form of public moralisation that adopts communication practices similar to greenwashing, reflecting the social norms expected from a business; however, in this case, located in a moral muteness, rather than moral hypocrisy, that businesses accept but resent. Abstract Greenhushing selectively communicates fewer pro-sustainability actions by businesses than are practiced; based on a perception of customers' rights to consumerism. We first studied the gap between the communication of sustainability practices in the audits and websites of 31 small rural tourism businesses in the Peak District National Park (UK). The analysis showed that businesses only communicate 30% of all the sustainability actions practiced. Their websites emphasised customer benefits, using explicit, affective, experiential and active language that legitimises the customers' hedonistic use of the landscape, while downplaying complex issues and normalising sustainability to reduce customer guilt. Just one website mentioned climate change. We found that greenhushing results from a low moral intensity, masking potentially negative consequences of perceived lower competence, whilst protecting business from more cynical consumers who may interpret their statements as hypocritical. Subsequent textual analysis and interviews were used to understand how communication constitutes these organisations. We propose that greenhushing reshapes and constitutes tourism businesses through their communications. Moreover, greenhushing is a form of public moralisation that adopts communication practices similar to greenwashing, reflecting the social norms expected from a business; however, in this case, located in a moral muteness, rather than moral hypocrisy, that businesses accept but resent.
EC tourism policy-making responds to the creation of the Internal Market. The current European st... more EC tourism policy-making responds to the creation of the Internal Market. The current European strategy endows the strategy conceived in the 80'se90's. Tourism is a " tool " for sustainable growth and competitiveness, not a full policy. The sustainable development principle in the Treaties lays the policy foundations. EC competence and EU legislature have eroded Member States' sovereignty. a b s t r a c t This article reviews the procedural complexity of tourism policy-making by the European Commission leading up to the 2010 Communication. Initially, the European Commission had to present interventions affecting tourism as a community action or measure; intended to assist in the implementation of the Internal Market. Later, integration of the sustainable development principle into European Treaties established a framework for governance and a foundation for tourism policy, and the Lisbon Treaty in 2007 established a European policy that explicitly related to tourism, albeit a complementary competence in character. This article highlights a lack of leadership from the Member States throughout the process and contrasts this with the self-serving, driving force of the Commission in making tourism policy that focuses primarily on promotional actions. Consequently, the Commission has not created a robust, dynamic, flexible European model for tourism, designed in a way to best serve the needs of the Member States.
Social-Cognitive Theory is used to test the argument that the motivations behind sustainable tour... more Social-Cognitive Theory is used to test the argument that the motivations behind sustainable tourism, and the types of sustainable actions undertaken, depend on one’s empathy towards sustainability. Latin American businesses were surveyed about their motivations for acting sustainably and any sustainability actions undertaken. Based on their responses, TwoStep cluster analysis found four clusters (cost, legitimisation, biospheric, and lifestyle). Acceptance of responsibility to be more sustainable depends on one’s level of empathy with, and attachment to, sustainability, explained by a beneficiary focus (personal norms that drive one to act to help oneself or others) and a cultural focus (acting in response to individualistic or collectivistic social norms). Lifestyle businesses are argued to be culturally individualistic but selftranscendent in benefit focus.
The impact of mainstream tourist hotels on destination economies is clearly an important question... more The impact of mainstream tourist hotels on destination economies is clearly an important question for public policy-makers wishing to develop robust tourism policy. We adapt the methodology of value chain analysis to measure the local economic impact of a large, single tourism enterprise, to show how to generate commercially realistic data using the example of an analysis of a 1,000 room All-Inclusive resort in Southern Turkey in partnership with TUI UK and Ireland. The data breaks down package revenues according to their beneficiaries and identifies areas for improvement. We further report and reflect on a 6 month evaluation of a tour operator-hotel partnership to deliver on a set of positive recommendations arising from the date to improve future impact.
Sustainability policies and corporate reports demonstrate the impacts cruise companies acknowledg... more Sustainability policies and corporate reports demonstrate the impacts cruise companies acknowledge as their responsibility, and the actions put in place to address them. This paper develops a corporate social responsibility index based on the Global Reporting Initiative, with industry specific additions including labor and human rights, health and safety, and environmental and economic aspects. Companies disclose more management than performance data, which is typical of early stages of development. Companies disclosing less information focus on soft indicators which are easy to mimic and demonstrate posturing. Items disclosed tend to be marginal to the core of the business, have a positive economic impact or preempt sector regulation. Reports echo the voice of the corporations and not the demands of stakeholders. Institutional isomorphism has not influenced a homogenization in reporting, with only the largest firms reporting at this stage.
A survey of around 900 tourism enterprises in 57 European protected areas shows that small firms ... more A survey of around 900 tourism enterprises in 57 European protected areas shows that small firms are more involved in taking responsibility for being sustainable than previously expected, including eco-savings related operational practices but also reporting a wide range of social and economic responsibility actions. Two-step cluster analysis was used to group the firms in three groups based on their motivations to be sustainable. Business driven firms implement primarily eco-savings activities and are commercially oriented. Legitimization driven firms respond to perceived stakeholder pressure and report a broad spectrum of activities. Lifestyle and value driven firms report the greatest number of environmental, social and economic activities. No profile has a higher business performance than average. The study has implications for policy programmes promoting sustainability behaviour change based primarily on a business case argument.
This article analyses the use of mixed methods in papers published in the Journal of Sustainable ... more This article analyses the use of mixed methods in papers published in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism over the 10 years, 2005–2014. First, a content analysis of the articles shows that mixed methods are used primarily for expansion and development of results, and less often for triangulation or complementarity. Sequential designs are slightly more popular than simultaneous designs, with qualitative research preceding the quantitative element. In the majority of cases, both the quantitative and qualitative methods have equivalent importance, yet where one is dominant, this is usually the quantitative part. Second, we contextualise the content analysis by exemplifying the use of mixed methods in selected papers, using commentary from authors who have recently published mixed methods papers. We reflect on the reasons for, strengths and weaknesses of using mixed methods, and we argue that mixed methods provide sustainable tourism academics with more opportunities for pragmatic transformative research for societal change, and increasing research reliability in relation to social desirability bias, stakeholder comparisons and transdisciplinarity. The paper notes the need for greater understanding of mixed methods by researchers, its special value and growing importance in sustainable tourism research, and its challenges and strengths for authors and editors.
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Papers by Xavier Font
called for to fully understand what contextual aspects influence these prosustainability interventions to achieve which outcomes in other settings, in order to validate some of the exploratory studies discussed, and establish the feasibility of scaling up pilot studies for more general use.
one’s level of empathy with, and attachment to, sustainability,
explained by a beneficiary focus (personal norms that drive one
to act to help oneself or others) and a cultural focus (acting in
response to individualistic or collectivistic social norms). Lifestyle businesses are argued to be culturally individualistic but selftranscendent in benefit focus.
more management than performance data, which is typical of early stages of development. Companies disclosing less information focus on soft indicators which are easy to mimic and demonstrate posturing. Items disclosed tend to be marginal to the core of the business, have a positive economic impact or preempt sector regulation. Reports echo the voice of the corporations and not the demands of stakeholders.
Institutional isomorphism has not influenced a homogenization in reporting, with only the largest firms reporting at this stage.
called for to fully understand what contextual aspects influence these prosustainability interventions to achieve which outcomes in other settings, in order to validate some of the exploratory studies discussed, and establish the feasibility of scaling up pilot studies for more general use.
one’s level of empathy with, and attachment to, sustainability,
explained by a beneficiary focus (personal norms that drive one
to act to help oneself or others) and a cultural focus (acting in
response to individualistic or collectivistic social norms). Lifestyle businesses are argued to be culturally individualistic but selftranscendent in benefit focus.
more management than performance data, which is typical of early stages of development. Companies disclosing less information focus on soft indicators which are easy to mimic and demonstrate posturing. Items disclosed tend to be marginal to the core of the business, have a positive economic impact or preempt sector regulation. Reports echo the voice of the corporations and not the demands of stakeholders.
Institutional isomorphism has not influenced a homogenization in reporting, with only the largest firms reporting at this stage.