Research Proposal: Sustainability's Impact on Supply Chain Management

This document presents a comprehensive research proposal and ethical approval form, focusing on the impact of sustainability on supply chain management within the hospitality industry. The proposal outlines the project's aims, objectives, and the rationale for selecting this topic, emphasizing the integration of environmentally and financially viable practices. It details the research methodology, including the research onion framework, research philosophy (positivism), approach (deductive), choice (quantitative), and strategy (survey). Data collection methods involve primary data through questionnaires, analyzed using thematic analysis. The sampling strategy employs random sampling with 40 respondents. The proposal also provides a review of key literature sources, discussing the importance of sustainability in the hospitality sector, the significance of supply chain management, and ways to promote sustainability within the industry. The document includes timelines, ethical considerations, and references to support the research. The ethical approval form confirms the research involves human participants and outlines the recruitment, consent, and data handling processes.

Research proposal and
ethical forms

Table of Contents
Project proposal form..................................................................................................................1
Research Ethical Approval form..................................................................................................7

Project proposal form
Centre Name
Tutor
Proposed Title: The effects of
sustainability on supply chain management
Section One: Title, aims, objectives
Title or working title of project (in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
Project aims and objectives (e.g. what do you wish to achieve? What do you want to learn to do?
What do you want to find out?)
Aim
“To identify the significance of sustainability in improving supply chain management within
hospitality industry.” A study on Holiday in
Objectives
 To develop basic understanding regarding the sustainability in context of hospitality
industry.
 To identify the significance of supply chain management within Holiday in.
 To determine the ways for promoting sustainability within hospitality industry.
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g. links to other subjects you are studying, personal interest,
future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why you feel the topic is important)
Student Details
Student Name Student Number

The present investigation has been taken into consideration on identify the significance of
sustainability in improving supply chain management within hospitality industry. The sustainability
supply chain management consists integrating financially and environmentally viable practices in to
the supply chain lifecycle. The present consideration is related to examine the importance about
sustainability regarding improving the supply chain management. In context to the personal, the
understanding of a learner regarding sustainability in the supply chain management enhanced.
Learner can able to know about the sustainability in context to hospitality sector. On the other
hand, in the professional context, learner can able to determine the different issues facing by the
hospitality industry in context to supply chain management (Al-Aomar and Hussain, 2018). The
research and analytical skills of an investigator enhanced for conducting similar kind of investigation
in the future.
Section Three: Precedents and sources
Research is explained as the careful consideration of the study related to specific issue by using the
effective methods. In conducting the research methodology, research onion is considering. It was
developed through Saunders et. al. in year 2007 to explain different stages by which an investigator
must when developing the methodology in better manner. Different stages included in research
onion mention below:
Research philosophy
This is defined as set of the principles concerning worldview from which an investigation is to be
conducted. The interpretivism and positivism are two different types of research philosophies. In
conducting the present investigation, there will be positivism research philosophy considering. The
main reason behind selecting this philosophy is that knowledge about the sustainability in supply
chain management in hospitality sector is based on theoretical basis (Ansari and Kant, 2017).
Research Approach
The research approaches are of different kinds such as inductive and deductive research approach.
In this, deductive research approach will be using because it consists making use of theory before
examining any issue. This is characterised as development from general to the specific. This
research approach is using the questionnaire to develop observation understanding that permits to
compare understanding of people.

Research Choice
This layer of the research onion helps to know whether combine the one methodology or use
quantitative and qualitative both. In conducting the investigation, there will be quantitative
research choice including. The main reason behind selecting this research choice is that it provides
the accurate facts and figures related to sustainability in supply chain management in hospitality
(Babu, Kaur and Rajendran, 2018).
Research Strategy
It is mainly explain approached to conduct an investigation. There will be considering the survey
research strategy. It consists gathering information concerned to subject from wider range of the
respondents. this is helpful in determining the patterns om collected information and data
regarding particular subject area.
Figure 1: Research Onion
(Source: Research Onion, 2021)
Data collection methods
In this investigation, there will be primary method of data collection using. The main reason behind

using this method is that it provides the new and fresh information regarding the specific subject
area. In this, questionnaire will be developing regarding sustainability in supply chain management
in hospitality (Govindan and et. al., 2020).
Data analysis
For analysis of collected data by using questionnaire, there will be thematic analysis method used.
In this analysis, themes, tables and graphs will be considering on the basis of questions mentioned
in the questionnaire regarding specific subject area.
Sampling
It is related to collect the sample size from while population to collect the information and data. 40
respondents will be selecting by using the random sampling method. The main reason behind using
this method is that it provides the equal chance to selected respondents (Modica and et. al., 2020).
Time horizon
In this investigation, cross sectional time horizon will be using because data is collected within
limited period of time. It is used when research is related with study of specific phenomenon at
particular time.
Use of key literature sources and precedents to support your project objectives
Understanding regarding the sustainability in context of hospitality industry.
On the basis of Tracy Stottler (2021) Sustainability stated that natural ecosystem can be continue to
support the life and give resources in order to meet requirements of present as well as future
generations. Sustainability is hospitality sector has come longer way since arrival of the in- room
suggestion to save water and reuse towels. Hotels and some of the other hospitality related
businesses are taking mature approach that mainly incorporates responsible practices and better
environmental policies. Hospitality industry puts enhanced pressure on environment and
demanding on natural resources. There are some of the concerns arise related to sustainability for
an enhance enhanced the government pressure, rising cost and actions of competitors have
motivated the hoteliers in order to embrace the sustainability. The visitors are aware of
sustainability issues, expecting the hotels to undertake responsibility and conduct business

sustainably. It is more than the environmental management but this is all about the social
development and economic progress. The social concerns for an instance promoting the work life
balance, promoting health of staff members and also stimulating the entrepreneurship all are part
of sustainability agenda (Richards and Font, 2019). Other than this, there are some of the current
trends in sustainable hospitality for an instance eliminating plastic, reducing water use beyond
hotel room, conserving energy, creating paperless hotel and others.
Significance of supply chain management within Holiday in.
According to viewpoint of ARE MORCH (2021) In this present time period, there is more focus on
providing value to consumers at minimum costs. There has been more interest in the supply chain
management and logistics practices as the performance is not identified through decision and
actions. It is also related to improvement on the return on investment and enhance profitability.
supply chain management and well established logistics system can aid hospitality sector provides
the hotels competitive benefits. Use of right supply chain strategies not only focus on improving the
service quality of hotel but also down the costs. Effective supply chain management is helpful in
minimize cost through creating as well as implementing the contracts with hospitality products
suppliers. Other than this, technology plays necessary role in changing the supply chain
management with hotel is changing way of working. the main importance of supply chain
management is that suppliers appreciate the positive relationships. Bonus of becoming successful
hotel manager is getting know to suppliers personally. They might give special rates or emergency
supplied off schedule.
Determine the ways for promoting sustainability within hospitality industry.
As per perspective of Erich Lawson (2021) large number of the people are willing to reward the
businesses seen sustainable through purchasing services and products from them. There is a need
to hospitality sector to respond quickly to changes and turning green. Practices and policies have
been put into the place to re-use grey water, recycling, minimize energy use and prevent wastages.
Hotels can find balance among minimizing cost and also improving the efficiency through executing
effective working procedures and developing the environmental technologies. On the other hand,
embracing sustainable business culture can help in make more difference in order to attracting as
well as sustaining the guests. Younger staff members are drawn to hospitality industry that look the
profitability and focus on advantages of community. In regards to this, aim of environmental
regulation of hospitality industry focus on handling hazardous materials, storm water management
and environmental health and safety. Changes of all the hospitality aspects will impact
construction, design and also operational methods of the hostels going forward.
REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Al-Aomar, R. and Hussain, M., 2018. An assessment of adopting lean techniques in the construct of
hotel supply chain. Tourism Management, 69, pp.553-565.
Ansari, Z. N. and Kant, R., 2017. Exploring the framework development status for sustainability in
supply chain management: A systematic literature synthesis and future research

directions. Business Strategy and the Environment, 26(7), pp.873-892.
Babu, D. E., Kaur, A. and Rajendran, C., 2018. Sustainability practices in tourism supply
chain. Benchmarking: An International Journal.
Govindan, K. and et. al., 2020. Supply chain sustainability and performance of firms: A meta-analysis
of the literature. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 137,
p.101923.
Modica, P. D. and et. al., 2020. Consumer perceptions towards sustainable supply chain practices in
the hospitality industry. Current Issues in Tourism, 23(3), pp.358-375.
Richards, P. and Font, X., 2019. Sustainability in the tour operator–ground agent supply
chain. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 27(3), pp.277-291.
Online
Lawson,E., 2021. 6 ways sustainability is changing hotels. [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.hotelmanagement.net/design/6-ways-sustainability-changing-hotels>.
MORCH, A., 2021. Significance of Supply Chain Management and Security in the Hospitality Industry.
[Online]. Available through: < https://aremorch.com/significance-of-supply-chain-management-
and-security-in-the-hospitality-industry/>.
Stottler, T., 2021. The importance of Sustainability in the hospitality industry. [Online]. Available
through: < https://www.danacommunications.com/importance-of-sustainability-in-the-hospitality-
industry/ >.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the project How
long
will
this
take
:

Milestone one:
Target date (set by tutor):
Milestone two:
Target date (set by tutor):
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments:
I confirm that the project is not work that has been or will be submitted for another qualification
and is appropriate:
Agreed: (name) (date)
Comments and agreement from project proposal reviewer (if applicable)
Comments:
I confirm that the project is not work that has been or will be submitted for another qualification
and is appropriate:

Agreed: (name) (date)

Research Ethical Approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data
collected form human participants are required to gain ethical approval before commencing
their research. Please answer all relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if
incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with your
unit tutor. Please complete this form in good time before your research project is due to
commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title: The effects of sustainability on supply chain management.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) :
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.

Will your research involve human participants?
Yes
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults: 20-30
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
The participants will be recruited by using random data sampling method.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
To inform the participants, email has been used.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be made
clear to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at any time?
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting questions
that do not wish to answer?
Yes No
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for their
informed consent to be observed.
Yes No
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief
explanation of the study)?
Yes No