Application of Ecosophical Perspective to Advance to the SDGs: Theoretical Approach on Values for Sustainability in a 4S Hotel Company

Abstract

Fourth Sector Small and Medium-sized Hotel companies (4S-SM-HCs) that already have a purpose and wish to contribute effectively to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) need to base their sustainability policies on universal values that deepen the individual-society-planet interrelations. “The Three Ecologies” essay (Guattari, 1989) provides a suitable theoretical approach to reflect on which values for sustainability are implicit in the purpose of the 4S-SM-HCs under study. This conceptual paper proposes an ecosophical reflection about the relationships between the mental, social, and environmental ecologies, and the company’s values for sustainability, establishing direct interrelations between the company’s purpose and the five dimensions of the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development (UN2030A), bringing a holistic vision to hotel management and, as a result, to the entire ecosystem, something which has not been addressed by the social sciences and business management literature yet. Through qualitative research methodology consisting of a focus group discussion in which the board of directors of a 4S-SM-HC took part, they delved into the ecosophical values for sustainability that moves them to create economic benefits while contributing to a better quality of life and a better environment. The contribution of this paper is twofold: firstly, to provide an in-depth reflection with an ecosophical approach on which company’s values are meaningful to sustainability, and secondly, to propose a theoretical framework with an ecosophical approach for 4S-SM-HCs to advance from their purpose to the SDGs and thus, to contribute to a Triple Wellbeing of people, the community and the planet.

Sustainable Strategic Management Model for Hotel Companies: A Multi-Stakeholder Proposal to “Walk the Talk” toward SDGs

“…Additionally, basing the SSMM structure and principles on the GSTC criteria and internationally recognized indicators that are accepted by the travel and tourism industry facilitates its accessibility, understanding, and implementation to SMEs in the sector. For many SMEs, opting for sustainability certifications may be inaccessible due to their audit and certification costs; in this case, the proposed SSMM, based on the GSTC criteria, can guide them to advance in line with the international acceptance of the industry in terms of sustainability, allowing the 4S companies to move from the triple bottom line [38] to a triple wellbeing [84], and thus contribute to the seventeen goals of the SDGs.…”

“…As a consequence, the objective of this paper is twofold: (1) To develop an ecosystemic proposal of a Sustainable Strategic Management Model (SSMM) for Fourth Sector (4S), Small-and Medium-sized (SMEs) Hotel companies (4S-SM-HC) to facilitate their effective contribution to the SDGs, and (2) to provide a methodological framework with a multi-stakeholder approach to make practical contributions to the triple wellbeing of people, the community and the planet [84], transitioning from a purpose-driven company into a sustainable strategic management hotel company. Figure 1 reflects the synthesis of this paper.…”

“…Figure 1 reflects the synthesis of this paper. contributions to the triple wellbeing of people, the community and the planet [84], transitioning from a purpose-driven company into a sustainable strategic management hotel company. Figure 1 reflects the synthesis of this paper.…”

Responsible Management in the Hotel Industry: An Integrative Review and Future Research Directions

“…Much of the literature focuses on sustainable development goals (SDG) [139][140][141][142][143] and ESG [144][145][146][147] which have served as a form of informal regulation for large hotel chains that rely on institutional investors. However, hotel image and marketing are greater concerns for independent hotels and smaller chains that are not seeking to attract institutional money, as these hotels face pressure from different stakeholders.…”

Corporate Social Responsibility and Family Business in the Time of COVID-19: Changing Strategy?

“…The answers are also justified from the theoretical SEW approach. We propose a reflection about changes in the CSR strategies carried out by family businesses, specifically in emergency situations [51].…”