Responses to vignettes as a methodology to reveal hoteliers’ sustainability practices, knowledge and competencies

Abstract

This study analyzes the competencies of hoteliers in handling sustainability dilemmas through the proxy of their responses to vignettes. It uses a practice-based lens to develop a novel methodology to study the reasoning behind sustainability decisions. Vignettes were compiled from stories submitted by hoteliers and tourism specialists that address both social and environmental issues, then validated by university students and researchers. Forty-three hotel professionals from Brazil responded to the six real-world vignettes which asked them to project themselves into different situations with sustainability challenges. Using an interpretive approach of those hoteliers’ lived world responses, researchers uncovered what practices they adopted in the hospitality sector. Analysis of the subjects’ competencies showed that triggered practices erred more towards hotel interests than to social and environmental ends. These results contribute to understanding the factors that prevent advances in organizational learning processes around sustainability. They also point to the need for a shift in sustainability research towards the lived world practice of professionals, through vignettes or other methodology, and to professional development that directs workers to consider long-term consequences of decisions.