Abstract
Abstract This paper aims to investigate students’ perceptions about sustainability curricula in hospitality management degree programmes. Sustainability, a prime business concern, is now a prominent agenda in higher education, and also in hotel management courses. The study is located in India and adopts a positivist epistemological position. Quantitative data was collected through structured questionnaires from 250 undergraduate students undergoing hospitality degree programmes in the states of Jammu and Kashmir. Data analysis was done through descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS. The findings establish that students are engaged in environmental literacy and view this as an important concern for their future. Respondents who demonstrate greater awareness and concerns in everyday life attach greater importance to such issues in a business context also. Lastly, the mode of delivery of sustainability-related modules deeply impacts students’ attitudes toward this all-important agenda. Sustainability education is most effective when it is embedded into all aspects of the course or forms the overall context within which hospitality management courses are delivered.
Highlights
Since its ascension to international platforms through the Brundlandt Commission Report (World Commission for Environment and Development, 1987), sustainability has become the most prominent socio-political agenda at the global level
Adopting a positivist research tradition, our research demonstrates that students are aware of sustainability, but are keenly interested in learning about it
There is evidence that the sustainability curriculum is more effective when it is well integrated throughout the course, rather than taught as a stand-alone module
Summary
Since its ascension to international platforms through the Brundlandt Commission Report (World Commission for Environment and Development, 1987), sustainability has become the most prominent socio-political agenda at the global level. As the concern for prudent management of non-renewable resources grew, sustainability was embraced as a prime concern for federal and local governments, media, customers, local communities, academics and businesses alike (Bader, 2005; Nichols, 2007). Many other commentators agree that sustainability is finding its place within mainstream curricula in hospitality management courses, rather than being just an interesting alternative (Boley, 2011) This is crucial for the future viability of the industry itself, as the hospitality and tourism sector shares a unique, symbiotic relationship with natural and cultural resources (Office for National Statistics, 2011). Sustainability, is a key business imperative for the industry’s viability and continued growth
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