Responses to vignettes as a methodology to reveal hoteliers’ sustainability practices, knowledge and competencies

Abstract

This study analyzes the competencies of hoteliers in handling sustainability dilemmas through the proxy of their responses to vignettes. It uses a practice-based lens to develop a novel methodology to study the reasoning behind sustainability decisions. Vignettes were compiled from stories submitted by hoteliers and tourism specialists that address both social and environmental issues, then validated by university students and researchers. Forty-three hotel professionals from Brazil responded to the six real-world vignettes which asked them to project themselves into different situations with sustainability challenges. Using an interpretive approach of those hoteliers’ lived world responses, researchers uncovered what practices they adopted in the hospitality sector. Analysis of the subjects’ competencies showed that triggered practices erred more towards hotel interests than to social and environmental ends. These results contribute to understanding the factors that prevent advances in organizational learning processes around sustainability. They also point to the need for a shift in sustainability research towards the lived world practice of professionals, through vignettes or other methodology, and to professional development that directs workers to consider long-term consequences of decisions.

Keywords:

• Competencies
• sustainability
• hospitality professionals
• decision-making
• vignettes

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cláudia Martins Pantuffi

Cláudia Martins Pantuffi holds a doctoral degree in Administration from Mackenzie University, holds a master's degree in Psychology from São Marcos University, is a specialist in Human Resources' consulting and Psychopedagogy (São Judas University) and holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology (Metodista University). She has worked in Human Resources at National and Multinational organizations. Currently, she teaches subjects related to people management, organizational behavior, people development and training in the courses of: Hospitality Bachelor, Business Administration Bachelor and Technology in Human Resources at Senac São Paulo University Centre.

Janette Brunstein

Janette Brunstein is Provost for Undergraduate Education, a Researcher, and Professor of the Stricto Sensu Post-Graduation Program in Business Administration from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie. Her work is focused on education, learning, and the development of competencies for sustainability in the academic and organizational environments. She has over fifteen years of academic experience. During the last ten years, she has been coordinating projects within the national scope, supported by the Brazilian Government, which aim to insert the theme of sustainability into Business Administration courses. She completed her post-doctorate in the Center for Excellence in Transformative Learning in the USA focused on sustainability.

Mark Edward Walvoord

Mark E. Walvoord, M.S., is an Assistant Director of the Student Transformative Learning Record in the Center for Excellence in Transformative Teaching and Learning at the University of Central Oklahoma, USA; and an instructor of Biology at the University of Oklahoma. Since 2002 he has worked in higher education in biology education, student services, and faculty development. Mark's publications and presentations cover zoology, biology lab teaching, peer learning and tutoring, educational technologies, and transformative learning. He serves as president of the Oklahoma Compost and Sustainability Association and on the boards of directors for three other non-profits: Partners for Madagascar, Association for Biology Laboratory Education, and Joiners, Inc.