Research Proposal: Impact of Energy Management in the Hotel Industry

This research proposal investigates the challenges and benefits of incorporating renewable energy sources in the hotel industry, focusing on Crowne Plaza in Auckland, New Zealand. The research aims to identify the potential for increasing profit margins through renewable energy adoption and to explore the difficulties faced during implementation. The methodology includes quantitative data collection through surveys with employees and qualitative data collection through interviews with hotel managers. Data analysis will involve regression models to identify relationships between variables and statistical description methods to summarize research outcomes. The research also addresses ethical considerations and potential limitations, such as accessibility to employees, which will be mitigated through online survey methods. The ultimate goal is to provide insights into the feasibility and impact of renewable energy sources on hotel operations and sustainability.

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Impact of Energy Management Difficulties in Hotel Industry:
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Research Aim.............................................................................................................................2
1.2 Research Objectives...................................................................................................................2
1.3 Research Question.....................................................................................................................3
2.0 Literature Review......................................................................................................................3
3.0 Research Methodology..............................................................................................................3
Reference.........................................................................................................................................8
Appendix..........................................................................................................................................9

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
1.0 Introduction
Increased competition in hotel industry is directing the hotels to provide greater level of
satisfaction to the customers. This in turn is reducing the profit margin generated through the
operation. Energy management is one of the primary costs incurred, where the organisations are
facing difficulties in managing and reducing energy consumption for their operation (Xu &
Chan, 2013). This requires the hotels to develop eco-friendly and renewable resources that can
help reducing the cost as well as increase sustainability, which in turn will propose greater value
to the customers. This research will focus on award winning hotel Crowne Plaza, which is New
Zealand leading hotel situated in Auckland (auckland.crowneplaza.com, 2018).
1.1 Research Aim
Crowne Plaza wants to identify the challenges in incorporating the eco-friendly and
renewable energy sources. Furthermore, Crowne Plaza would investigate the possibility of
increasing the profit margins with the help of renewable energy sources and measuring the
benefits.
1.2 Research Objectives
 To identify the benefits of renewable energy sources in increasing profit
 To identify the options available to Crowne Plaza in converting into renewable energy
consumer
 To identify the challenges faced by Crowne Plaza in incorporation of renewable energy
 To find the ways for the solutions for the problems regarding the energy management

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
1.3 Research Question
 Can Crowne Plaza introduce renewable and eco-friendly energy sources into its current
operation?
2.0 Literature Review
The literature review aims to develop the theoretical understanding of the significance of
renewable and eco-friendly energy for securing the future. Energy management has a very close
relationship with the performance of the hotels. The hotel authority will have to find out the
important things in the energy management issues. This will be very much effective to provide
the best services to the customers. The literature study would focus especially on the hotel
management industry to present the idea about using renewable energy. The information would
be collected from the authentic secondary sources to evaluate the necessity of such energy
sources for the future use. The role of energy management is also very important indeed because
the impact of technology has to be utilized properly. The concerned hotel for this paper will be
very much benefitted by adopting the most efficient energy management strategies. The obtained
ideas from the literature review section would be helpful for conducting the primary research. In
fact, the extensive knowledge gained from the literature section would help in identifying the
probable functionalities that the company needs to adopt for the betterment of the future.
3.0 Research Methodology
 Sampling
The study is based on the primary data collection process in which the quantifiable data
would be collected. Therefore, the research process would use the probability, simple random
technique to gather ideas from the participants of the survey process. Probability sampling

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
technique helps in deriving the responses from a larger group of population that is participating
in the quantitative survey. In this process, 50 participants would respond to the survey questions.
On the other hand, probability, convenience sampling would be utilized to conduct the
qualitative research. The qualitative research would be conducted by undertaking the interview
session of 3 managers of Crowne Plaza. The profit manager and the facility manager would be
taking the participation in this interview session. The survey and the interview processes would
identify the possible challenges associated with the use of renewable and eco-friendly energy
during the operational process.
 Data Collection
Data for the research will be collected using quantitative research method. This is the
collection of numeric statistical and quantifiable data to support the finding of the research
(Sekaran&Bougie, 2016). This primary method selected for this research is survey method,
which includes the use of questionnaire.
 Data Analysis
Data analysis will be done using regression model that will help identification of the
variables in the research. Regression model is a statistical analytical tool with independent and
dependent variables, which helps in identifying relationship between the variables. Negativity
and positivity of the variables is possible to identify using this tool (Draper & Smith, 2014).
Collected data regarding the affectivity and applicability of renewable energy will be processed
using the regression model to identify the benefits Crowne Plaza will receive. Statistical
description method will be utilized for summarizing the outcome of research.
 Time Frame

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Main activities/ stages Week1 Week2 Week3 Week4 Week5 Week 6
Topic Selection 
Data collection from
secondary sources
 
Framing layout of the
research

Literature review   
Formation of the research
Plan
 
Selection of the Appropriate
Research Techniques
 
Primary data collection  
Analysis & Interpretation of
Data Collection
 
Conclusion of the Study 
Formation of Rough Draft 
Submission of Final Work 
 Ethics

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Prior approval from the organisation will be taken for conducting survey to hold the ethical
stance of the research and avoid chances of data theft. Moreover, the identity of the informants
will be kept confidential for securing their individual interest (Sekaran&Bougie, 2016).
Permission from the individual informant will be collected separately for extracting authentic
data, as the voluntary data are more reliable for the research.
Will data collection involve any of the following Yes No
Access to confidential information without prior consent of participants 
Participants being required to commit an act which might diminish self respect or
cause them to experience shame, embarrassment or regret

Participants being exposed to questions which may be experienced as stressful or
upsetting, or to procedures which may have unpleasant or harmful side effects

The use of stimuli, tasks or procedures which may be experienced as stressful,
noxious or unpleasant

Any form of deception 
Will the autonomy of participants be protected through the use of and informed
consent form?

The nature and purpose/ s of the research 
The identity and institutional association of the researcher and supervisor/ project
leader and their contact details


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The fact that participation is voluntary 
The responses will be treated in a confidential manner 
Any limits on confidentiality which may apply 
The anonymity will be ensured where appropriate [e.g. coded/ disguised names of
participants/ respondents/ institutions]

The fact that participants are free to withdraw from the research at any time
without any negative or undesired consequences to themselves

 Limitation
Accessibility to question the employees is one of the primary limitations the research
might face. This can be resolved using online survey method, where the participants will be
provided questionnaires via online and the communication. This is called online survey that will
help solving the accessibility issue.

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Reference
Auckland.crowneplaza.com. (2018). Crowne Plaza Auckland Hotel. [online] Available at:
https://auckland.crowneplaza.com/ [Accessed 17 Feb. 2018].
Benavides-Velasco, C. A., Quintana-García, C., &Marchante-Lara, M. (2014). Total quality
management, corporate social responsibility and performance in the hotel
industry. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 41, 77-87.
Cheung, M., & Fan, J. (2013). Carbon reduction in a high-density city: A case study of Langham
Place Hotel Mongkok Hong Kong. Renewable energy, 50, 433-440.
Draper, N. R., & Smith, H. (2014). Applied regression analysis(Vol. 326). John Wiley & Sons.
Hsiao, T. Y., Chuang, C. M., Kuo, N. W., & Yu, S. M. F. (2014). Establishing attributes of an
environmental management system for green hotel evaluation. International Journal of
Hospitality Management, 36, 197-208.
Molina-Azorín, J. F., Tarí, J. J., Pereira-Moliner, J., López-Gamero, M. D., &Pertusa-Ortega, E.
M. (2015). The effects of quality and environmental management on competitive
advantage: A mixed methods study in the hotel industry. Tourism Management, 50, 41-
54.
Sekaran, U., &Bougie, R. (2016). Research methods for business: A skill building approach.
John Wiley & Sons.
Xu, P., & Chan, E. H. (2013). ANP model for sustainable Building Energy Efficiency Retrofit
(BEER) using Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) for hotel buildings in
China. Habitat International, 37, 104-112.

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Appendix
Interview Question for the Managers in Qualitative Data Collection
Q.1) What benefits you can avail from using the renewable and eco-friendly energy sources in
the operational function?
Q.2) Do you think that the renewable energy use would bring changes to the future operational
process? Justify your answer
Q.3) What are the recognizable challenges you encounter while using the eco-friendly and
renewable energy in the operational functions?
Survey Questions for employees in quantitative data collection
Q.1) How far do you agree that the operational process can be facilitated by the renewable
energies?
o Strongly Agree
o Agree
o Neutral
o Disagree
o Strongly Disagree
Q.2) How far are you satisfied with the operational process undertaken by your company using
the eco-friendly energy services?
o Highly satisfied

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o Satisfied
o Neutral
o Dissatisfied
o Highly Dissatisfied
Q.3) How far do you agree that the company would be able to save the energy for the future if
they use the renewable energy in its operations?
o Strongly Agree
o Agree
o Neutral
o Disagree
o Strongly Disagree