Abstract
This study draws on the natural resource-based view and the dynamic capabilities theory to analyse the effects of green technology, proactive environmental management and business strategy on environmental performance. This paper offers a novel analysis of the direct effect of the integrated use of green technology on environmental performance, considering a non-linear relationship between them, and how this impact can be leveraged through a formal proactive environmental planning, coordination and control system, and a defined business strategy. In order to test the research hypotheses, multiple linear regression was used on a sample of 446 Spanish tourism firms. The results confirm a non-linear relationship between green technology and environmental performance. They also indicate the importance of defining a clear, proactive environmental management and prospector strategy to achieve more efficient products/services, processes and technologies, with minimal environmental impact. This research also provides some insights into the moderating effect exerted by proactive environmental management in terms of strengthening the relationship between green technology and environmental performance. In addition, the analysis confirms that whereas defender strategies reduce the impact of green technology on environmental performance, analyser and prospector strategies enhance its influence. These results can be used to offer a series of guidelines for both private and public agents in the tourism sector.
Highlights
In recent decades, the natural environment has changed the global competitive arena, and organisations have been prompted to reconsider their environmental impact [1]
The study by Lenzen et al [4] on 160 countries estimates that tourism accounts for approximately 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, of which 12% are from air travel; this amount is expected to rise by 40% by 2025 if there are no changes in politics or personal habits
In a context that requires firms to be both increasingly competitive and more environmentally-responsible, the creation of competitive advantages associated with environmental performance is paramount for the survival of firms in general [1,3], and tourism firms in particular [6,7], as the latter tend to be heavily dependent on the natural environment [29]
Summary
The natural environment has changed the global competitive arena, and organisations have been prompted to reconsider their environmental impact [1]. Growing demands from diverse stakeholders, such as customers or non-profit organisations, along with new environmental regulations, have encouraged managers to adopt more sustainable practices in order to preserve natural resources and mitigate climate change [2]. The study by Lenzen et al [4] on 160 countries estimates that tourism accounts for approximately 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, of which 12% are from air travel; this amount is expected to rise by 40% by 2025 if there are no changes in politics or personal habits Another factor that makes the tourism industry worthy of analysis in the environmental performance literature is the high dependence on natural resources and the surrounding environment of competing tourism products [10]. Zhu et al [11] point out that most energy use in the tourism industry is still reliant on traditional fossil fuels
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