Human Resources Practices for Environmental Sustainability in Lodging Operations

Abstract

As sustainability has increasingly become a critical global issue, attention has been focused on the lodging industry's efforts to minimize its environmental impact. This study investigates how hotels with an independently identified focus on sustainability address the human resources issues required for maintaining sound environmental practices. Hotels with Green Seal certification were surveyed about how they trained and motivated employees and, if necessary, enforced the policies. The findings suggest that virtually all the hotels conducted training for existing and new employees. However, some questions were raised about the depth of commitment, particularly in enforcement.

KEYWORDS:

• training
• sustainability in lodging operations
• environmental policies
• human resources