Sustainability strategy as a source of competitive advantages in the tourism industry. A model for the integration of natural resources

Abstract

Goal and objectives of the dissertationGoalTo develop a model that will allow the identification of a route for achieving competitiveness through the incorporation of environmental strategies and an optimal management of natural resources in the accommodation industry, as a strategy for sustainability at the same time.ObjectivesThe empirical study aims to determine to what extent an orientation towards natural resources can offer competitive advantages for hotels in the Spanish province of Huelva.* Objective 1: Determining to what extent the degree of integration of natural resources (environmental performance) influences the economic results of the company.* Objective 2: Identifying the strategies followed by the hotels in the province of Huelva to integrate natural resources into their management model.* Objective 3: Identifying the variables capable of accelerating the insertion of sustainable/environmental strategies in hotels.* Objective 4: Identifying the variables liable to hinder the insertion of sustainable/environmental strategies in hotels.* Objective 5: Observing the results obtained by hotels as a result of having incorporated the management of natural resources into their business models.MethodologyFrom a methodological point of view, first of all a comprehensive review of the scientific literature was carried out, presenting the most recent advances into the topic under study. Based on this review a model was created, to be tested empirically. More specifically, a review of a number of approaches widely accepted in the scientific community was conducted, based on the theory of strategy and its approach to resources and capabilities (namely the theory of dynamic capabilities) and particularly the natural-resource-based view of the firm proposed by Hart in 1995. In fact, the latter is considered the backbone of this research, although it has been completed by integrating elements from institutional theory, stakeholders' theory and the proactive environmental management perspective.Concerning the empirical testing of the proposed research model:* For its validation, the questionnaire designed (of structured type) was pre-tested using industry experts (managing directors in a couple of hotels).* A sample of the selected population was taken, as indicated in the table below.* The unidimensionality of each scale was verified.* The measurement models were analysed: individual reliability of each item was checked, as well as the composite reliability of each construct. Convergent and discriminant validity of each construct were also confirmed.* With regard to the structural model, its path coefficients and corresponding Student's T values (through bootstrapping) were calculated, as well as its predictive power (through the coefficients R2 and Q2).* The Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique was used for hypotheses testing. The final model was composed of 12 constructs and 32 hypotheses.The characteristics of the survey conducted are presented with more details in the following table.ResultsUnder the above mentioned theoretical framework, this research tries to provide an answer to the questions posed, considering the various motivations for the integration of natural resources into the strategy of tourist accommodation companies, as well as the main results these organizations can accrue as a consequence of the implementation of this strategy.Mainly, the empirical results gathered shown that normative and mimetic pressures explain the adoption of proactive environmental strategies, as reflected by Student's T values of 2.700 and 2.054 respectively; and β coefficients of 0.294 and 0.335 respectively. At the same time, the orientation to sustainable development is clearly impacted by the level of internationalization of clients, with a Student's T value of 3.756 and a β coefficient of 0. …