Environmental Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry

Green practices adopted by
UK hotels and its role in
gaining competitive
advantage: A study on Hilton
Hotel UK

Abstract
This research focuses on Green practices adopted by UK hotels and its role in gaining
competitive advantage: A study on Hilton Hotel UK. At first chapter of this study, the learner has
given research rationale, aim, and objective and research questions. In second chapter of
literature review, researcher has mentioned various relevant theories and models of green
practices. Apart from this concept of Green practices has been detail elaborated in this chapter.
On the other hand, in third chapter of research methodology, learner has stated research
philosophy, approach and design. Data analysis tools and techniques along with sampling
technique have been clearly mentioned in this chapter. Moreover in chapter four of data analysis,
learner has made secondary research method. In secondary research method, qualitative data
analysis has been made on two managers of Hilton Hotel. Thematic analysis has also included in
this chapter. In fifth chapter conclusions and recommendations have been provided.

Acknowledgement
The research work on “Green practices adopted by UK hotels and its role in gaining
competitive advantage” has been able to provide me with the highest level of satisfaction as
this research focuses on the fact of how the green practices and the systems of green accounting
have impacted the performance of the entities engaged in the sector of hotel and hospitality
sector. I hereby declare that I am highly obliged to all my fellow group members who assisted
me in the process of successful completion of this research work.
I would like to present my gratitude to all the people who served as well as guided me in an
effective manner to assist me in the successful and appropriate completion of this research work.
I would like to give regards to the higher authorities, without the guidance of whom the
completion of this work would have remained incomplete. I would like to present thanks to my
group members as well as I also as a researcher would appreciate the patience of the respondents
who responded to my research work as without their co – operation the work would remain
incomplete and in efficient.
Thank You

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
1.1 Background to the Research.............................................................................................1
1.2 Organizational Background..............................................................................................2
1.3 Significance of the problem..............................................................................................2
1.4 Statement of Purpose........................................................................................................3
1.5 Statement of Problem.......................................................................................................4
1.6 Aims and objectives.........................................................................................................4
1.7 Research Questions..........................................................................................................5
1.8 Analysis and framework...................................................................................................5
1.9 Dissertation Structure......................................................................................................6
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................7
2.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................7
2.2 Concept of Green Practices.............................................................................................7
2.3 Relevance of Green Practices in Hospitality Sector.......................................................10
2.4 Green Practices prevalent in hospitality sector..............................................................11
2.5 Role of Green Practices in gaining competitive edge in the market..............................14
2.6 Barriers faced by Hospitality sector in adoption of green practices...............................15
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...........................................................................16
3.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................16
3.2 Research Approach.........................................................................................................16
3.3 Research Philosophy......................................................................................................17
3.4 Research Strategy...........................................................................................................17
3.5 Research Design.............................................................................................................18
3.6 Data Collection Methods................................................................................................18
3.7 Data Collection Instruments...........................................................................................18
3.8 Sampling.........................................................................................................................19
3.9 Reliability and Validity..................................................................................................19
3.10 Ethics............................................................................................................................20
3.11 Limitations of the Research..........................................................................................20

CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS................................................................................................21
4.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................21
4.3 Primary research: Qualitative data analysis...................................................................21
4.3 Secondary research: Thematic analysis..........................................................................23
4.4 Summary.........................................................................................................................28
CHAPTER 5 - CONCLUSION.....................................................................................................29
5.1 Conclusion......................................................................................................................29
5.2 Objective Linking...........................................................................................................29
5.3 Limitations of the Study:................................................................................................32
CHAPTER 6 - RECOMMENDATION.........................................................................................33
6.1 Recommendation 1.........................................................................................................33
6.2 Recommendation 2.........................................................................................................33
6.3 Recommendation 3.........................................................................................................35
6.4 Recommendation 4.........................................................................................................36
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................38

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Research
In the present world, one of the haunting public concerns has been in regards to
sustainability of economic development. The increasing depletion in the environmental
conditions and accelerating deterioration of the natural resources is one of the major factors
behind the increment in such concern among the residents of this universe. It is interesting to
highlight that the need of adopting a 'green movement' was realized by the world in 1960s,
however, the business world has now after passage of almost 20 years realized the obligation to
adopt such practices in its ideology, policies and culture (Dane, 2010). The term 'green business'
has found its inception in the present world. But a universal acceptance of this trend is yet to be
taken place, as the concept in itself is still in the evolving stage and is attached with various
ambiguities. One of the reasons behind this is that the perception of greening changes in every
region. Moreover, it is considered as a liability by the companies both in terms of cost and loss of
revenue.
Each and every entity in the world can realize the effect of changing environmental
conditions, which is primarily caused due to increasing level of pollution and depletion in natural
or non-renewable resources. This in turn has made the public and business houses realize the
harm which has been inflicted on the conditions of our surroundings. A major role is played by
the carbon emissions of businesses and other related activities which take place on a major level.
In pursuance to the same government of all the nations have have mandated large business
houses to adopt green practices and reduce their footprint on the environment. An increasing
trend of introducing policies for protection of the environment has been observed in various parts
for the world (Achieving Sustainable Green Practices, 2011). As it is known large businesses
function on larger level to utilize increasing number of resources and thereby impacting the
environment on a larger level. Hence, businesses adopting sustainable practices can make a huge
impact on the level of protection catered towards the environment. Moreover, it poses a great
benefit for the business units as well, in the form of a direct influence on the performance of the
company. Adoption of sustainable practices has the potential to strengthen the position of a
company in the market, thereby making a positive impact on the goodwill so possessed by the
entity. This in turn also improvises the morale of employees, thereby, leading to a positive drive
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of change in the society. An additional advantage of cost saving may also be realized by the
businesses (Miller and et. al., 2012). It has been observed, that the modern businesses have
increasingly been adopting green practices within their operations in their initiative to pay back
to the environment on the basis of which they have grown.
1.2 Organizational Background
One such entity is Hilton Hotel which has adopted various green practices which its
culture and policies, in their drive to reduce the footprint on the environment. The entity is
functioning in the hospitality industry for a long time and has marked its presence worldwide.
The Hotel has been leading entity in the industry of Hospitality, all over the world. The inception
of the company was laid in the year 1954, by its founder Conrad Hilton, whose vision to fill the
world with light and warmth of hospitality has been successfully working for the entity till date.
In addition, every stakeholder of the Hotel is driven by this vision (About Us – Hilton Hotel,
2016). Moreover, the management of the Hotel also seeks to preserve the environment with the
aid of adopting efficient operations and undertaking innovative partnerships. It is believed by the
Hotel that the challenges posed by the changing environmental conditions heavily impose the
welfare of people as well as the ecosystem of the earth. Hence, in pursuance to the same the
authorities have identified some of the areas which tend to heavily impact the environment and
have adopted a strategy to amend the current practices in order to specifically address the issues.
This identification of specific areas has been undertaken along the entire value chain, for
establishment of operational objectives as well as adoption of efficient policies. This has further
enabled the management to develop measures and tools in furtherance to their objective of
preserving the environment as well as monitor the advancement.
1.3 Significance of the problem
The present study throws light on the green practices adopted by the Hospitality industry
of Britain. It is has been seen in the present era that the footprint of various organizations on the
environment has undergone a major level of escalation. It would not be wrong to say that the
hospitality industry also constitutes to be one of the major contributors to this environmental
deterioration. This industry in particular has been impacting the surroundings by exploiting
energy and emitting carbon in the air. Further, immense amount of waste is generated by the
daily activities of hotels and usage of water is also on a grand scale (Green Business: Challenges
and Practices, 2014.). These highlighted issues constitute to some of the impacts being made by
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this industry on the environment. With the technological advancement and adoption of highly
mechanized system, the level of exploitation and its impact has also increased. Therefore,
adoption of green practices by the components of this industry is the need of the hour and hence,
the instant study focuses on various measures which can be adopted by these entities to go green
in its operations.
1.4 Statement of Purpose
The fundamental rationale behind undertaking this study is “To critically analyze the
green practices adopted by UK Hotels and how these practices support in gaining competitive
advantage – A case study of Hilton”. The increasing awareness of environmental enhancement
can be specifically witnessed in the Hospitality Industry of the UK, and has resulted in large
benefits to the environment. Along with the same, a major impact can also be seen in the form of
benefits which are being extracted by the various hotels of this sector (Rockell and et. al., 2010).
As has been observed in the market of UK, Hilton Hotel has adopted green practices on an
extensive level by taking initiatives in the field of preservation of various natural resources. It
pursuance of the same the Hotel has been awarded with product of the year from Environmental
Leader for its product 'Light Stay'. It is in essence a Corporate Responsibility Measurement
platform which recognizes the innovative approach being applied by them to reduce their
environmental footprint and enhancing their energy management with the aid of 'Light Stay'.
Moreover, Newsweek's 2016 has ranked Hilton among the top entries of the Top Green
Companies list. Hence, the study is being pursued to analyze and understand various measures
being undertaken by the Hotel in its drive to preserve environment.
One of the interesting facts which is worth noting is that Hilton has become the first
global company from the hospitality sector to be certified ISO 50001 for Energy Management.
The company functions to efficiently utilize energy to ensure a low carbon future for all. In
pursuance to the same a reduction of about 14.5 % has been realized by the company. Moreover,
it is also a certified ISO 14001 in relation to the Environmental Management as well as 9001 in
context to Quality Management. It has developed itself as top Green Brand across the world and
has been positioned within top 50 of the of list of Green brands (Preserving Environment, 2016).
It has been observed that green brands are given a leverage over other brands of the
market and hence enable them to attain a competitive edge in the sector. Hilton has proved to be
one of the best living examples of this trend. In today's world the public has become aware about
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