Drivers of eco-innovation in the Spanish hospitality industry

Magadán-Díaz, Marta and Sotiriadis, Marios and Rivas-García, Jesús (2019): Drivers of eco-innovation in the Spanish hospitality industry. Published in: Tourismos: An International Multidisciplinary Journal of Tourism , Vol. 1, No. 14 (15 April 2019): pp. 119-136.

Abstract

The main goal of this research is to determine whether the accommodation capacity and the financial performance can be considered as the main driving forces of eco-innovation in the context of Spanish hotel industry. Eco-innovation is a challenge for tourism industry, given the connection and interrelationship between environmental quality and business performance. The eco-innovation plans represent a new field of research in its infancy. This paper addresses the conceptual evolution of eco-innovation to subsequently develop an analytical framework that tentatively explores this concept and its implementation in Spanish hotel companies through two basic internal characteristics of these organizations: their business performance and their respective size, measured in terms of accommodation capacity. The case study method was applied -through documentary evidence and structured interviews- to the 10 companies leading -in terms of turnover- the national hotel offering and have a remarkable international presence. All these interviews were conducted between November 6th, 2017 and February 28th, 2018.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Eco-innovation; environmental responsibility; hospitality industry; drivers; organizational change; Spain
• Subjects: L - Industrial Organization > L8 - Industry Studies: Services > L83 - Sports ; Gambling ; Restaurants ; Recreation ; Tourism; M - Business Administration and Business Economics ; Marketing ; Accounting ; Personnel Economics > M1 - Business Administration > M14 - Corporate Culture ; Diversity ; Social Responsibility; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q2 - Renewable Resources and Conservation

References

Agarwal, S., (2002). Restructuring seaside tourism: The Resort Lifecycle. Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 25-55.

Aguiló, E., Alegre, J. & Sard, M., (2005). The persistence of the sun and sand tourism model. Tourism Management, Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 219-231.

Alonso, M., Bagur, L., Llach, J. & Perramon, J., (2015). Sustainability in small tourist businesses: the link between initiatives and performance. Current Issues in Tourism, Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 1-20.

Alonso, M., Rocafort, A. & Borrajo, F., (2016). Shedding light on eco-innovation in tourism: a critical analysis. Sustainability, Vol. 8, No. 12, pp. 1262-1274.

Bagur, L., Llach, J. & Alonso, M., (2013). Is the adoption of environmental practices a strategical decision for small service companies? An empirical approach. Management Decision, Vol. 51, No, pp. 41-62.

Bastič, M. & Gojčič, S., (2012). Measurement scale for eco-component of hotel service quality. International Journal of Hospitality Management, Vol. 31, No. 3, pp. 1012-1020.

Beise, M. & Rennings, K., (2005). Lead markets and regulation: a framework for analyzing the international diffusion of environmental innovations. Ecological Economics, Vol. 52, No. 1, pp.5-17.

Bell, C. & Ruhanen, L., (2016). The diffusion and adoption of eco-innovations amongst tourism businesses: the role of the social system. Tourism Recreation Research, Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 291-301.

Best, M. N. & Thapa, B., (2013). Motives, facilitators and constraints of environmental management in the Caribbean accommodations sector. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 52, No. 1, pp. 165-175.

Bossle, M. B., de Barcellos, M., Vieira, L. & Sauvée, L., (2016). The drivers for adoption of eco-innovation. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 113, pp. 861-872.

Bowen, F. E., (2000). Environmental visibility: A trigger of green organizational response? Business Strategy and the Environment, Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 92-107.

Brunnermeier, S. & Cohen, M., (2003). Determinants of environmental innovation in US manufacturing industries. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Vol. 45, pp. 278-293.

Buhl, A., Blazejewski, S. & Dittmer, F., (2016). The more, the merrier: Why and how employee-driven eco-innovation enhances environmental and competitive advantage. Sustainability, Vol. 8, No. 9, pp. 2-17.

Chatzigeorgiou, C. (2017). Modelling the impact of social media influencers on behavioural intentions of millennials: The case of tourism in rural areas in Greece. Journal of Tourism, Heritage & Services Marketing, 3(2), 25-29.

Chatzigeorgiou, C. & Christou, E. (2016). Destination branding and visitor brand loyalty: Evidence from mature tourism destinations in Greece. Tourismos: An International Multidisciplinary Journal of Tourism, 11(5), 102-123.

Chatzigeorgiou, C., Christou, E. & Simeli, I. (2017). Delegate satisfaction from conference service quality and its impact on future behavioral intentions. 5th International Conference on Contemporary Marketing Issues, ICCMI, June 21-23, 2017 Thessaloniki, Greece, pp. 532-544.

Chen, Y. S., (2008). The driver of green innovation and green image–green core competence. Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 81, No. 3, pp. 531-543.

Christou, E. (2002). Examining the impact of tourism destination image and reputation on visitor loyalty likelihood. Tourism Today, 2(1), 34-46.

Christou, E. (2003). Guest loyalty likelihood in relation to hotels’ corporate image and reputation. Journal of Hospitality & Leisure Marketing, 10(3/4), 85-100. https://doi.org/10.1300/J150v10n03_0544

Christou, E. (2010). Relationship Marketing Practices for Retention of Corporate Customers in Hospitality Contract Catering. Tourism & Hospitality Management, 16(1), 1-10.

Christou, E. (2011). Exploring online sales promotions in the hospitality industry. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & management, Vol. 20, No. 7 pp 814-829. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2011.605038

Creswell, J., (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Los Angeles: Sage.

Daim, T. U., Basoglu, A., Gunay, D., Yildiz, C. & Gomez, F., (2013), Exploring technology acceptance for online food services. International Journal of Business Information Systems, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 383-403.

De Almeida Ramos, G.M. & Fernandes, J.L.J. (2016). Tourism territories in low density areas: The case of Naturtejo geopark in Portugal. Journal of Tourism, Heritage & Services Marketing, 2(1), 14–21. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.376330

De Marchi, V. & Grandinetti, R., (2012), Who are the green innovators? An empirical analysis of firm’s level factors driving environmental innovation adoption. Copenhagen: Druid Conference.

Del Chiappa, G., Usai, S., Cocco, A. & Atzeni, M. (2018). Sustainable Tourism Development and Climate Change: A Supply-Side Perspective. Journal of Tourism, Heritage & Services Marketing, 4(2), 3–9. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1490348

Del Río, P., (2005). Analysing the factors influencing clean technology adoption: a study of the Spanish pulp and paper industry. Business Strategy and the Environment, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 20-37.

Demirel, P. & Kesidou, E., (2011). Stimulating different types of eco-innovation in the UK: Government policies and firm motivations. Ecological Economics, Vol. 70, No 8, pp. 1546-1557.

Díaz, C., González, Á., & Sáez, F. J. (2015). Eco-innovation: insights from a literature review. Innovation, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 6-23.

Doran, J. & Ryan, G., (2012). Regulation and firm perception, eco-innovation and firm performance. European Journal of Innovation Management, Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 421-441.

Esty, D. and Winston, A., (2009). Green to Gold: How Smart Companies use Environmental Strategy to Innovate, Create Value, and Build Competitive Advantage. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Freeman, C., (1996). The greening of technology and models of innovation. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Vol. 53, No. 1, pp. 27-39.

Fotiadis, A. (2018). Modelling wedding marketing strategies: An fsQCA Analysis. Journal of Tourism, Heritage & Services Marketing, 4(1), 23-26.

Fotiadis, A., Nuryyev, G., Achyldurdyyeva, J., & Spyridou, A. (2019). The Impact of EU Sponsorship, Size, and Geographic Characteristics on Rural Tourism Development. Sustainability, 11(8). doi:10.3390/su11082375

Fotiadis, A., & Williams, R. (2018). “TiCoSa” a 3d matrix conceptual model to investigate visitors’ perceptions in an athletic event. Journal of Tourism, Heritage & Services Marketing, 4(2), 32-36.

Fussler, C. and James, P. (1996). Driving Eco-Innovation: A Breakthrough Discipline for Innovation and Sustainability. London: Pitman Publishing.

Garcia, A., Gemar, G., & Sevilla, C., (2016). Determinants of eco-innovation: comparative analysis of the industrial and services sectors. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, Vol. 15, No.7, pp. 1473-1479.

García, A., Sánchez, J. & Marchante, M., (2015). Eco-innovation and management: An empirical analysis of environmental good practices and labour productivity in the Spanish hotel industry. Innovation, Vol. 17, pp. 58-68.

González, A., Díaz, C., & Saez, F. J. (2016). Environmental responsibility among SMEs in the hospitality industry: performance implications. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, Vol. 15, No. 7, pp. 1527-1532.

González, Á., Sáez, F. J., & Díaz, C., (2013). Drivers of eco-innovation in chemical industry. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, Vol 12, No. 10, pp. 2001-2008.

Hitchens, D., Thankappan, S., Trainor, M., Clausen, J. & De Marchi, B., (2005). Environmental performance, competitiveness and management of small businesses in Europe. Royal Dutch Geographical Society, Vol. 96, No. 5, pp. 541-557.

Hojnik, J. & Ruzzier, M., (2016). What drives eco-innovation? A review of an emerging literature. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 31-41.

Hong, C. & Shuai, S., (2008). Research of local government behavior in eco-technological innovation process. Management Science and Engineering, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 86-96.

Horbach, J., Rammer, C. & Rennings, K., (2012). Determinants of eco-innovations by type of environmental impact—the role of regulatory push/pull, technology push and market pull. Ecological Economics, Vol. 78, pp. 112-122.

Horng, J. S., Chou, S., Liu, C. & Tsai, C., (2013). Creativity, aesthetics and eco-friendliness: A physical dining environment design synthetic assessment model of innovative restaurants. Tourism Management, Vol. 36, pp. 15-25.

Horng, J. S., Wang, C., Liu, C., Chou, S. & Tsai, C., (2016). The role of sustainable service innovation in crafting the vision of the hospitality industry. Sustainability, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 1-18.

Hsiao, T. Y. & Chuang, C., (2016). Creating shared value through implementing green practices for star hotels. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, Vol. 21, No. 6, pp. 678-696.

Hunter, C. & Shaw, J., (2007). The ecological footprint as a key indicator of sustainable tourism. Tourism Management, 28(1): 46-57.

Jänicke, M., (2008). Ecological modernisation: new perspectives. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 16, No. 5, pp. 557-565.

Johnston, W., Leach, M. & Liu, A., (1999). Theory testing using case studies in business-to-business research. Industrial Marketing Management, Vol. 28, pp. 201-213.

Karakaya, E., Hidalgo, A. & Nuur, C., (2014). Diffusion of eco-innovations: a review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 33, pp. 392-399.

Kemp, R. & Horbach, J., (2007), Measurement of competitiveness of eco-innovation. Measuring Eco-innovation Project (MEI).

Kemp, R., (2010), Eco-Innovation: definition, measurement and open research issues. Economia Politica, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 397-420.

Klewitz, J. & Hansen, E., (2014). Sustainability-oriented innovation of SMEs: a systematic review. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 65, No. 1, pp. 57-75.

Lazaric, N. & Dennis, B., (2005). Routinisation and memorisation of tasks inside a workshop: an illustration through a case study. Industrial and Corporate Change, Vol. 14, No. 5, pp. 873–896.

Little, A. D. (2005). How Leading Companies are using Sustainability-driven Innovation to win Tomorrow’s Customers. Innovation High Ground Report.

Magadán, M., & Rivas, J., (2011). The impact of energy consumption on the benefit functions of enterprises: proposal of an energy efficiency indicator. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, Vol. 10, No 12, pp. 1831-1834.

Moise, М. S., Gil-Saura, I., & Ruiz-Molina, M. E. (2018). Effects of green practices on guest satisfaction and loyalty. European Journal of Tourism Research, Vol. 20, No. 20, pp. 92-104.

Molero, J. & Garcia, A. (2008). The innovative activity of foreign subsidiaries in the Spanish Innovation System: an evaluation of their impact from a sectoral taxonomy approach. Technovation, Vol. 28, pp. 739-757.

Nella, A. & Christou, E. (2014) Linking Service Quality at the Cellar Door with Brand Equity Building, Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 23:7, 699-721. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2014.891959

Nella, A. & Christou, E. (2016). Extending tourism marketing: Implications for targeting the senior tourists' segment. Journal of Tourism, Heritage & Services Marketing, 2(1), 36–42. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.376336

Ouyang, Z., Wei, W., & Chi, C. G. (2019). Environment management in the hotel industry: does institutional environment matter? International Journal of Hospitality Management, Vol. 77, pp. 353-364.

Peiró, A., Segarra, M. & Verma, R., (2014). The impact of environmental certification on hotel guest ratings. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, Vol. 55, pp. 40-51.

Peiró, Á., Segarra, M. D. V., Miret, L., & Verma, R., (2011). Eco-innovation attitude and industry's technological level-an important key for promoting efficient vertical policies. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, Vol. 10, No. 12, pp. 1893-1901.

Perramon, J., Alonso, M. & Llach, J., (2014). Green practices in restaurants: impact on firm performance. Operations Management Research, Vol. 7, No. (1-2), pp. 2-12.

Przychodzen, J. & Przychodzen, W. (2015). Relationships between eco-innovation and financial performance–evidence from publicly traded companies in Poland and Hungary. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 90, pp. 253-263.

Rennings, K., (2000). Redefining innovation—eco-innovation research and the contribution from ecological economics. Ecological Economics, Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 319-332.

Rodgers, S., (2007). Innovation in food service technology and its strategic role. International Journal of Hospitality Management, Vol. 26, No 4, pp. 899-912.

Rosen, C. M., (2001). Environmental strategy and competitive advantage: an introduction. California Management Review, Vol. 43, No 3, pp. 8-10.

Sáez, F. J., Avellaneda, L., & González, Á. (2016). Open and green innovation in the hospitality industry. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 15(7): 1481-1487.

Samy, H. (2016). Exploring Factors that Influence Domestic Tourists' Satisfaction with Budget Hotel Services in Egypt. Journal of Tourism, Heritage & Services Marketing, 2(2), 17–22. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.376344

Segarra, M. D., Peiró, A., Mondéjar, J. & Vargas, M., (2014). Service vs. manufacturing: how to address more effectively eco-innovation public policies by disentangling the different characteristics of industries. Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 134-151.

Tarí, J. J., Claver, E., Pereira, J. & Molina, J., (2010). Levels of quality and environmental management in the hotel industry: Their joint influence on firm performance. International Journal of Hospitality Management, Vol. 29, No 3, pp. 500-510.

Teng, C.C. and Chang, J. (2014). Effects of temporal distance and related strategies on enhancing customer participation intention for hotel eco-friendly programs. International Journal of Hospitality Management, Vol. 40, No. 1, pp. 92-99.

Tzschentke, N. A., Kirk, D. & Lynch, P., (2008). Going green: decisional factors in small hospitality operations. International Journal of Hospitality Management, Vol. 27, No. 1: pp. 126-133.

UNWTO (2018). Yearbook of Tourism Statistics, Data 2012 –2016. Madrid: OMT. Van Berkel, R., (2007). Eco-Innovation: opportunities for advancing waste prevention. International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, Vol. 7, No. (5-6), pp. 527-550.

Volgger, M., Pechlaner, H., & Pichler, S. (2017). The practice of destination governance: A comparative analysis of key dimensions and underlying concepts. Journal of Tourism, Heritage & Services Marketing, 3(1), pp. 18-24. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.401371