Blue Orchid Hotel: Sustainability in Supply Chain Management

This research report investigates the significance of sustainability in improving supply chain management within the hospitality industry, with a specific focus on the Blue Orchid Hotel. The study begins with a comprehensive literature review to define sustainability and its relevance to hotel operations, supply chain management, and market promotion. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, including primary and secondary research, to gather data on the hotel's current practices and the impact of sustainability initiatives. The methodology incorporates an 'onion framework' to outline research philosophies, approaches, strategies, and instruments, including the use of questionnaires and random sampling of employees. The report analyzes the findings, applying appropriate analytical tools to assess the impact of sustainability on the hotel's supply chain. Furthermore, the report evaluates the effectiveness of the research methods, discusses alternative methodologies, and offers recommendations for enhancing sustainability practices and supply chain management within the Blue Orchid Hotel.

Research project

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Produce a research proposal that clearly defines a research question or hypothesis,
supported by a literature review...........................................................................................3
Research Rationale.................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................4
To understand the concept of sustainability within hospitality industry................................4
The importance of sustainability in supply chain management of Blue Orchid Hotel..........5
The effective ways company can use to promote sustainability at market place...................5
P2 Examine appropriate research methods and conduct primary and secondary research.6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................9
P3 Conduct primary and secondary research using appropriate methods for a business
research project that consider costs, access and ethical issues..........................................9
P4 Apply appropriate analytical tools to analyse research findings and data................11
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................13
P5 Communicate research outcomes in an appropriate manner for the intended audience13
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................13
P6 Reflect on the effectiveness of research methods applied for meeting objectives of the
hospitalityresearch project..................................................................................................13
P7 Consider alternative research methodologies and lessons learnt in view of the
outcomes..............................................................................................................................13
Recommendations..........................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15
Online...................................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Sustainability is defined as the choice of being able to continue over a particular time period.
It focuses on fulfilling the requirements of current without compromising the capability of future
generations to satisfy their requirements. In addition to this, the concept of sustainability is
mainly based on three pillars that is social, environmental and economic that is known as people,
planet and profit (Ansari and Kant, 2017). It is a significant function as it assists in performing as
per the needs and also help in enhancing supply chain management. The branch of management
that deals with the flow of products and services from one place to another is known as supply
chain management. It is an effective way to transfer goods and services within objective to attain
business objectives. It is important for an organization to have an effective supply chain
management as it helps in long term sustainability and retention at marketplace. For the present
investigation, blue orchid hotel is taken into consideration it is a luxury independent hotels that is
located in London. It provides a wealth of local and history tradition, skilfully combined with
contemporary luxury. The report will cover the importance of sustainability enhancing supply
chain management. In addition to this, it analyse the various ways that an organization used to
promote sustainability at marketplace. Moreover, primary and secondary research is conducted
in order to gather reliable and valid information. Furthermore, reflection is given on the
effectiveness of investigation method to meeting the goals. In the last, alternative research
methodology and the lessons learnt in view of the outcomes is covered in this research.
TASK 1
P1 Develop a research proposal that clearly defines a question of research or hypothesis,
backed up by a literature review.
Research Aim: “To examine the importance of sustainability in improving supply chain
management of an organization”. A study on Blue Orchid Hotel.
Research Objectives:
 To know about concept of sustainability within hospitality industry.
 To explore the importance of sustainability within supply chain management of Blue
Orchid hotel.
 To analyses the effective ways company can use to promote sustainability at market
place.

Research Questions:
 What are the concept of sustainability within hospitality industry?
 What are the importance of sustainability in supply chain management of Blue Orchid
hotel?
 What are the effective ways company can use to promote sustainability at market place?
Research Rationale
One of the main reason of choosing this topic is to gain knowledge about the impact of
sustainability on supply chain management. It is analyzed that many business entities facing
issue associated to ineffective supply chain management. Sustainability plays vital role in
managing supply chain and also assist in attaining business object (Babu and Mohan, 2018). This
research will help in gaining understanding about the various ways that a business entity can opt
in order to promote sustainability at marketplace. Moreover, it also help researcher in enhancing
various skills that assist in gaining better opportunity in future. With the help of this research, the
communication skills, research skills, time management and many more skills is improved.
Furthermore, the investigator gain knowledge about the importance of sustainability and also
about various topics such as results methodology, literature review that help in performing
activities and complete it on time period.
LITERATURE REVIEW
To understand the concept of sustainability within hospitality industry.
According to Tracy stottler, (2018), It is determined that over the last past several years,
hoteliers have shift their emphasis to the significance of sustainability within the hospital
industry as it is associated to hotel development as well as operations, involving economic,
environmental and the social impact. In the present time, sustainability is one of the vital
problem that is currently facing in hospitality industry (Zaid, Jaaron and Bon, 2018). It has been
analyzed that hospitality sector had a dramatic environmental influence by water & energy
consumption, solid & hazardous waste creation as well as the use of consumable & durable
goods. Most of the hotels being realized that they can provide an improve guest experience
through integrating natural elements and is come with a “green thought” within the community
inspired by various factors that is as regulatory affairs, cost saving, economic incentives, brand
image and many more. Moreover, it is stated that the concept of sustainability is enhancing

continuously and there are number of hospitality organizations that are taking responsibility and
perform in a proper manner. Sustainability not only help an organization to protect environment
and gain social development but it also helps in enhancing supply chain management which in
turn leads to increase in productivity and profitability of an organization (Croom, 2018).
Furthermore, it is important for an organization to adopt sustainable strategy for performing their
activities as it helps in enhancing brand image and also assist in meeting with the demands of
customers in an effective manner. It is determined that sustainability within the hospitality
industry help in gaining higher success and growth at marketplace.
The importance of sustainability in supply chain management of Blue Orchid Hotel
As per the view of Beckwith S. (2019), the sustainable SCM considers assimilating
ecologically & fiscally viable practices into the complete supply chain management, from good
or service design & development, to material selection, production, packaging and many more.
In context of hospitality sector, suitability in supply chain management is essential and
significant as the dealers and hotel benefit from a well designed system of supply chain
management, Also, the relation among suppliers and hotel becomes intense due to professional
administration within the form of creation of proper purchasing policies. It could also direct to
focusing on a few trusted suppliers, instead than have a large & incompetent dealer base
(Significance of supply chain management in Hospitality industry. 2020). Along with this, new
and more effective suppliers can be found out, leading to maximised effectiveness. In addition
this, sustainability in supply chain management is crucial because it leads to significant reduction
in costs and also enables constant assessment and development in purchasing process. It could
maximise the product and service range as well as reduce it too due to intensive market research
undertaken. Sustainability in supply chain management also improves management information
to future needs.
The effective ways company can use to promote sustainability at market place
As per the view of Jain S. (2015), there are different ways and strategies which can be
considered by a firm in order to promote sustainability in the market. In context of hospitality
sector, hospitality sector venture offer different services, and food services is one of them. In
hotel, effective waste management or recycling activity play an effective role in the sustainable
development as well as it can be considered by business establishment in context of promoting
sustainability at market place. Focus on creating value proposition is another way which can be

considered by enterprise in term of endorsing sustainability. With this, the firm can offer
valuable services to its consumers as well as make focus on creating high value, high capabilities
beneficial for individual. Also, support of green vendors will beneficial for the firm as it will
assist in getting attention of large of consumer in order to take the benefits of services and
promoting appropriateness of form in market.
P2 Examine appropriate research methods and conduct primary & secondary research.
Research methodology is mainly an essential aspect of an investigation as it assist in
collecting appropriate an accurate data about the effect of sustainability on supply chain
management. Along with this, the main objective of this section is to gather valid as well as
reliable data about the particular topic. The researcher make use of onion framework in order to
identify the best approaches for conducting the research. The research onion framework involves
various layers that is given below:
Research philosophy: it is mainly of two types that is interpretivism and positivism. it is
analyzed that both the research philosophy are important for analyzing the influence of
sustainability on supply chain management (Das, 2018)(Feitó-Cespón, 2017). For the present
investigation, positivism research philosophy is taken into consideration as it assist researcher to
evaluate the data in a proper manner due to which valid conclusion is developed.
Research approach: it is the important part of an investigation and is categorized into two
different forms that is inductive as well as deductive research approach. For the research,
deductive approach is used by investigator as it assist in performing task and also helpbin
evaluating quantitative data in less time and cost. On the other hand, inductive approach is not
feasible because it does not provide accurate information about the topic.
Research strategy: There are various forms of research strategy such as action oriented,
quantitative survey case study, qualitative survey and many more (Wang and Dai, 2018). It is
analyzed at all these research strategy is important but as for the topic, survey will be used by
investigator as it help in providing reliable and accurate information in a proper manner.
Research choice: it is of two types that is quantitative as well as qualitative. Both the
research choice is significant for analyzing the effect of sustainability on supply chain
management. But according to the topic, quantitative research choice is appropriate and feasible
as it assist in performing investigation that is based on facts, figures and statistics.

Research instrument: There are various results instruments such as survey, interview,
questionnaire and many more. Questionnaire is undertaken as one of the effective research
instrument that will help investigator to gather primary information which leads to attainment of
valid and reliable results (Green, 2019). Along with this, it is analyzed that it is the best
technique and procedure for which researcher can easily gather proper information about the
topic.
Data sources: There are mainly two forms of data collection that is primary as well as
secondary source . In context to secondary source, there are various sources to collect such as
books, journals, articles, websites, Internet and many more. In order to collect primary
information, questionnaire will be used by researcher as it help in collecting valid and reliable
information about the study. In the present investigation, both the primary and secondary sources
of data collection is used in order to draw valid and appropriate conclusion.
Research sampling: it is undertaken as one of the important aspects of research and is
mainly of two types that is probability sampling and non probability sampling. For conducting
the investigation, random sampling method is used by researcher which is a part of probability
sampling. The main reason for choosing random sampling method is to give equal chance to
people. Therefore with the help of random sampling method, 50 employees of blue Orchid hotel
are taken into consideration.
Research limitation: it is a stated that every research is associated with some kind of
limitations that is funds, time, data analysis and so on which impact on investigator at the time
of conducting research activities (Hong, Zhang and Ding, 2018). In addition to this, time is one
of the main limitation because for completing every activity of investigation, an appropriate time
period is required by researcher.
Research reliability and validity: The reliability as well as validity of an investigation is
highly based on the instrument of primary sources. Along with this, questionnaire is consider as
best instrument as it will support researcher to collect valid and reliable information about the
effect of sustainability on supply chain management.
Time horizon: it is another significant portion of investigation in order to identify the initial
and the completion time period of resources activities. For this, Gantt chat is taken into
consideration as it is a graphical tool that will assist researcher to identify or analyzed starting
and closing time duration for completing activities of research.

Gantt Chart

TASK 2
P3 Conduct primary & secondary research using appropriate methods for investigation that
consider ethical issues, costs andaccess.
In order to conduct both form of research that is primary as well as secondary, certain
methods will be needed by investigator. These methods are mentioned below:
Cost: it is one of the valuable and important aspect because without this, secondary and
primary research cannot be conducted properly. For conducting and performing secondary and
primary study accurate amount of capital will be needed that help in completion of investigation
timely and effectively.
Access: it is undertaken as another method used for conducting secondary and primary study
systematically. Here in, investigator have full access to gather information from the participants
and they also have assess to store data in computer system for longer time (Hou, Wang and Xin,
2019). It is analyzed that this method assist investigator in completion of both primary and
secondary investigation in a proper way.
Ethical issue: it is important for researcher to ensure that all the ethical principles is
followed while conducting the research. In order to perform every task of primary as well as
secondary research, ethical issues must be followed. The ethical issues are respect for anonymity,
informed consent, respect for confidentiality, respect for privacy and so on. For overcoming such
issues, researchers must do each and every activity of investigation in an ethical manner.
Questionnaire:
Questionnaire
Q1.) Do you have understanding about the concept of sustainability? Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
Q2.) As per your view point, what is the impact of sustainability on supply
change management?
Frequency
a) Positive impact 25
b) Negative impact 13

c) Neutral 12
Q3.) Do you think that sustainable supply chain management make
contribution in the development of the firm?
Frequency
a) Yes 35
b) No 15
Q4 What is the significant of the sustainability in supply chain management? Frequency
a) Improve productivity 15
(b) Save money 15
(C) Provide a public relation advantage 20
Q 5.) What the appropriate ways which can be considered by organisation in
order to promote sustainability at the market place?
Frequency
(a) Support green vendors 20
(b) Focus on creating a value proposition 15
(c) Reducing waste 15
Q6) Do you agree that improvement in the efficiency of company is main
importance of suitable supply chain management?
Frequency
(a) Agree 40
(b) Disagree 10
Q7) According to you, is it important for an organisation to adopt sustainable
strategies for making improvements in supply chain management?
Frequency
a)Yes 38
b)No 12
Q8) Do you think that reduce by reusing is the effective way which can be
used by in term of promoting sustainability of firm?
a) Yes 33

b) No 17
Q9) Provide recommendations to the higher authorities of Blue Orchid hotel
to promote sustainability at marketplace?
P4 Apply appropriate analytical tools to analyse research findings and data.
Q1.) Do you have understanding about the concept of sustainability? Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
Interpretation: By analyzing the above graph, it is analyze that out of total 50 respondents, 40
participants have the idea about sustainability where is the remaining 10 participants have no
idea about this.
Q2.) According to you, what is the impact of sustainability on supply change Frequency

management?
a) Positive impact 25
b) Negative impact 13
c) Neutral 12
Interpretation: By analyzing the above graph, it is stated that from the total 50 respondents, 25
participants that there is positive impact of sustainability on supply chain management whereas
the 13 participants perceive that there is negative influence. The remaining 12 respondent think
that there is no influence of sustainability on supply chain management.
Q3.) Do you think that sustainable supply chain management make
contribution in the development of the firm?
Frequency
a) Yes 35
b) No 15

Interpretation: The above graph state that sustainable supply chain management contributes
towards the development of an organization, which is stated by 35 respondent from the total 50.
In addition to this, 15 participants is not agree with the point.
Q4 What is the significant of the sustainability in supply chain management? Frequency
a) Improve productivity 15
(b) Save money 15
(C) Provide a public relation advantage 20

Interpretation: From the above graph, it is just determined that sustainability within the supply
chain management is significant as it helps in improving productivity and save money which is
said by 15 respondents respectively. Along with this, 20 participants think that it helps in
developing in developing Brand image marketplace.
Q 5.) What the appropriate ways which can be considered by organisation in
order to promote sustainability at the market place?
Frequency
(a) Support green vendors 20
(b) Focus on creating a value proposition 15
(c) Reducing waste 15

Interpretation: It is analyze from the above graph that there are various ways that can be
undertaken by company for promoting sustainability at marketplace that is support green vendors
and focusing on developing value proposition, which is stated by 20 and 15 participants
respectively. The remaining 15 participants said that reducing waste is an effective way to
promote sustainability in market.
Q6) Do you agree that improvement in the efficiency of company is main
importance of suitable supply chain management?
Frequency
(a) Agree 40
(b) Disagree 10

Interpretation: By analyzing the above graph, it is said that improvement in the efficiency of
organization is important for supply chain management and is stated by 40 respondents from the
total 50 participants. The remaining 10 participants is not agree with the point
Q7) According to you, is it important for an organisation to adopt sustainable
strategies for making improvements in supply chain management?
Frequency
a)Yes 38
b)No 12

Interpretation: It is interpreted from the above graph that out of total 50 participants, 38
respondents said that it is significant for a business entity to adopt sustainable strategies for
making improvements within the supply chain management Whereas the 12 participants is said
no for the point.
Q8) Do you think that reduce by reusing is the effective way which can be
used by in term of promoting sustainability of firm?
a) Yes 33
b) No 17

Interpretation: From the above graph, it is interpreted that reduce by reusing is an appropriate
for promoting sustainability of organization, which is said by 33 participants. The remaining 17
participants from the total 50 respondents is not agree with the point.
TASK 3
P5 Communicate the investigation outcomes in an proper manner for the intended audience
It is analyze that sustainability has positive influence on the supply chain management. In
addition to this, it is determined that sustainability in supply chain management is significant as
hotel and dealers benefit from a well design system in order to provide services. Sustainability
help in declining the cost and enable a business entity to assist and develop the purchasing
procedure (Kshetri, 2018). It is stated that sustainability within the supply chain management
help in giving information to future requirements. There are various ways by which a hotel can
promote sustainability at marketplace such as effective waste management, recycling activity,
emphasize and developing value propositions, support green vendors and so on. All this aid
business entity to improve their supply chain and increase its brand image at marketplace. On the
basis of results, it has been pulled out that an organization such as blue Orchid hotel is required
to focus on adopting sustainable strategies as it will help in improving supply chain management
due to which an effective services provided to the customers. It will also help company to retain
in market for longer time and achieve objectives effectively.

TASK 4
P6 Reflection on effectiveness of investigation methods applied for fulfilling goals and
objectives of the hospitality research project
It is a great pleasure for me to conduct investigation on a trending topic that is sustainability.
The topic will help me to gain understanding about the impact of sustainability on supply chain
management along with its importance. In addition to this, this investigation also helped me to
gain in depth knowledge about the ways which an organization uses in order to promote
sustainability at marketplace. By the assistance of this research, I am able to develop effective
communication skills. The other research skills involving time management, data collection, data
analysis, literature review and many more. I faced many issues while conducting this research
that is data collection as people are not responding properly to the questions I ask to them and is
not taking interest in giving answer. But due to my Interaction and effective convenience skills, I
am able to gather data which helped me to draw valid and reliable conclusion. In addition to this,
I have no knowledge about how to develop Gantt chart but with the help of my mentors and my
learning capabilities I am able to create it properly and used it for measuring the time required
for completing the investigation. This investigation assist me to learn about research methods
and interpret the information properly which in turn help me in my future to conduct research
and gain high opportunities in an effective manner.
P7 Consider alternative research methodologies & lessons learnt in view of the research
outcomes.
For every researcher, it is difficult and complex to choose an appropriate research methods
in order to gain favourable outcomes. There are various methods of data collection that can be
used by investigators for collecting and gaining in depth knowledge from the participants. For
the present study, it can be stated that questionnaire would help most to researcher. In addition
to this, it is analyzed that Survey is similar to questionnaire that also assist in collecting as well
as analyzing the data within short span. Survey research method is effective & the reason behind
selecting this was it is easy and simple to understand others (Rajeev, 2017). Updated technology,
right amount of capital as well as human resource management is needed in order to implement
strategy associated to sustainability as it helped company improve its supply chain management
that is necessary in order to gain growth and successful.

Recommendations
By analyzing the above information, some of the recommendations is given below to the
company to promote sustainability at marketplace:
 It is recommended to higher authorities of Blue Orchid Hotel to develop and implement
sustainable strategies so that they can improve its supply chain management which
impact positively on the services provided to customers.
 In addition to this, it is suggested to provide training and development session to it’s staff
members so that they can promote sustainability at marketplace in an effective manner
which in turn leads to increase in productivity and profitability of the organization
(Vargas, Mantilla and de Sousa Jabbour, 2018).
 Moreover, it is recommended to the management to evaluate all the activities and
performance of employees continuously so that the strategies associated to sustainability
is implement in a proper manner.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it has been concluded that sustainability has positive influence
on the supply chain management. It is important for an organization to focus on developing and
implementing sustainable strategy in order to gain higher growth and success at marketplace. It
is analyse that in a hospitality industry, sustainability plays an important role as it assist them to
retain at marketplace for longer time frame and gain higher growth and success as well. There
are various ways which an organization uses in order to promote sustainability at marketplace. It
is significant for researcher to make use of appropriate method of data collection so that valid
and reliable conclusion is drawn. It is analyzed that questionnaire is one of the effective research
instrument that helps in gathering data which is appropriate and based on figures and statistics.
Moreover, it is determined that Gantt chart assist investigator to divide the activities as per the
given time due to which objectives is attained on time period. It is essential for researcher to
ensure that all the ethical rules is followed while conducting the results such as confidentiality,
anonymity an informed consent as well.

REFERENCES
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Online
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