“Think sustainable, act local” – a stakeholder-filter-model for translating SDGs into sustainability initiatives with local impact

Abstract

STRUCTURED ABSTRACTPurpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop and illustrate a comprehensive framework for how hospitality firms can overcome the broad vs. narrow dilemma in sustainable management.We develop a framework for how to break down the United Nations SDGs into actionable and context-specific subsets and select individual sustainability initiatives with maximum impact.Design/methodology/approach: Our framework is based on a comprehensive literature review of sustainable development, sustainable management in hospitality, and the issue-focused stakeholder perspective. Drawing on this research we develop a theoretical framework for the selection of impactful sustainability initiatives in the hospitality industry. In addition, the paper provides a broad range of concrete examples for how different stakeholders can act as barriers or catalysts for the implementation of sustainability initiatives. Findings:The major contribution of this paper is twofold. First, it recognizes that the solutions to the great sustainability challenges ahead involve active participation of the hospitality industry in establishing partnerships with stakeholders. Secondly, it offers an ambitious roadmap for hospitality firms to identify local issues specific to sustainable management actions committed to advancing the social, environmental and economic dimensions of sustainability. Practical implications:Our framework has considerable practical implications in that it is centered on helping hospitality firms select an appropriate set of SDGs for their local context and translate them into specific sustainability initiatives that address these goals. The "stakeholder-filter model" methodology is aligned with an approach that is already being used for the development of sustainability initiatives outside the scope of the hospitality industry. As a result, the framework should have substantial practical value for the hospitality industry.

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

“…Our findings confirm-and are aligned with previous existing literature [104,[177][178][179]] -converging to a greater extent with models with a stakeholder approach for the hospitality industry, such as that proposed by the authors Raub and Martín-Rios and the integrative and participatory one proposed by dos Santos et al However, the novelty and originality of this study are threefold: (1) it provides a joint vision of the academic and business world; (2) it is carried out through a methodological framework of social learning, as it is co-created with the participation of the 4S-SM-HC, the main stakeholders in the territory and academia; and (3) it establishes a coherent thread between the transformative purpose of the company [113] and its contributions to the 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.…”

“…Among these, Fernández-Gámez et al who demonstrate how hotels that apply CSV achieve greater economic profitability [101]; Collins and Saliba point out that an organization alone cannot create sustainability-oriented services but rather 'requires collaboration with its stakeholders', and they add that sustainability has to be directly interrelated with the core business of the company, thus aligning it strategically [102]; and Hsiao has investigated case studies on how a particular hotel chain [103] can involve stakeholders, although in this case, this model is reduced only to "green practices". Other authors, such as Raub and Martin-Rios, provide a sustainable management model for hotel companies with a stakeholder perspective and local impact to translate them into specific initiatives [104]. On the other hand, the Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform suggests that the framework with stakeholders should be purposeful, transformative, and proactive [105,106].…”

The COVID-19 crisis and sustainability in the hospitality industry

“…Stakeholder theory emphasises that sustainability is about meeting the needs of all a company's stakeholders, namely the company itself, customers, employees, suppliers, and society at large. Raub and Rice (2019), for example, emphasised the importance of the hospitality industry forming active partnerships with its stakeholders to tackle the challenges of sustainability. There are also theoretical approaches, which are embedded within political economy.…”

The UK's largest volume housebuilders and the sustainable development goals

“…Stakeholder theory, for example, assumes that satisfying the interests of different stakeholders, namely, all the parties that are directly or indirectly involved in the business activities, will ultimately determine the success of products and services. Raub and Rice (2019), for example, emphasised the importance of companies forming active partnerships with its stakeholders to tackle the challenges of sustainability. Secondly, there have also been attempts to develop theoretical approaches which are embedded within political economy.…”