Why are Some Engaged and Not Others? Explaining Environmental Engagement among Small Firms in Tourism

Abstract

This paper examines the reasons for different levels of environmental engagement among small firms in tourism. Drawing on theories of motivation, notably Social Cognitive Theory, Motivation Systems Theory and Goal Orientation Theory, as well as the literature on environmental sensitivity, it proposes a novel conceptual framework that is subsequently used to inform an empirical study. The findings of the research suggest that varying levels of environmental engagement may be explained by differences in worldviews, levels of self-efficacy beliefs, context beliefs and goal orientation. The paper concludes by considering the policy implications of the results.

Appealing to Goodwill or YOLO-Promoting Conservation Volunteering to Millennials

“…This could further be tested, for example, in terms of different groups of volunteers categorized according to expressed environmental attitudes or relationship between different attitudes and participation in conservation volunteering. This part of our research was guided by studies of the relationship between environmental attitudes and pro-environmental behaviors which employed the NEP theory and our findings are in line with this past research (e.g., Eagles and Higgins 1998;Luo and Jinyang 2008;Sampaio et al 2012). Moreover, not only does it contribute to the explanation of what factors affect reception of pro-environmental promotional messages, but also it provokes further discussion of the relevance of environmental attitudes, and hedonic desires.…”

“…Past research has applied the NEP scale mainly to predict various proenvironmental behaviors (e.g., Eagles and Higgins 1998;Luo and Jinyang 2008;Voluntas (2017) 28:288-306 293 Sampaio et al 2012). For instance, Eagles and Higgins (1998) demonstrated positive association between pro-environmental attitudes and one's engagement in pro-environmental behaviors.…”

“…For instance, Eagles and Higgins (1998) demonstrated positive association between pro-environmental attitudes and one's engagement in pro-environmental behaviors. In a business context, Sampaio et al (2012) examined how environmental attitudes affect a business organizations' commitment to environmental solutions. Notably, environmental attitudes appear to affect businesses' selection of practices and sensitivity to environmental issues.…”

Corporate social responsibility in tourism small and medium enterprises evidence from Europe and Latin America

“…Early studies identified the introduction of basic environmental practices for ecosavings (Kirk, 1995;Knowles, et al, 1999), tax incentives or subsidies (Bonilla-Priego, Najera, & Font, 2011) and lifestyle habits founded on ethical and social reasons (Sampaio, Thomas, & Font, 2012;Tzschentke, et al, 2004). The latter authors found that despite SMEs producing significant savings from improved energy management and recycling, most respondents lacked control methods to be fully aware of this, or were not particularly interested in controlling the outcome of such measures.…”

“…The latter authors found that despite SMEs producing significant savings from improved energy management and recycling, most respondents lacked control methods to be fully aware of this, or were not particularly interested in controlling the outcome of such measures. Those owners less profit oriented were the least likely innovate (including CSR measures), while those who are willing to adopt CSR also have financial expectations from its adoption (Sampaio, et al, 2012). In summary, how SMEs respond to taking responsibility for being sustainable differs from large firms based on how they acquire resources, develop their skills, implement strategies and deliver the resulting product (J.A.…”