scholarly journals Green to Gold: Beneficial Impacts of Sustainability Certification and Practice on Tour Enterprise Performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 709 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Hellmeister ◽  
Harold Richins
Keyword(s):  
Employee Satisfaction ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Strategic Choices ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
Sustainability Practices ◽  
Tourism Enterprises ◽  
Financial Firm

A growing number of managers in tourism recognize the importance of sustainability to their business success. However, as the majority of tourism enterprises consist of small and medium-sized enterprises that are generally less likely to invest in sustainability practices due to a lack of financial resources, time, and perceived cost-saving opportunities, an industry-wide dissemination of sustainability practices is hampered. This paper explores the benefits of adapting sustainability practices and provides evidence for making the case for incorporating sustainability practices to benefit business success. This study examined sustainability-certified tour enterprises, focusing on the perceived impact that the commitment to sustainable practices through certification has had on tangible financial aspects (potential benefits of increased revenue and decreased operational costs) and intangible benefits (customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction). Also explored were the influence of strategic choices related to sustainable practices (extent of commitment, product range, facilities and equipment, and the application of relevant marketing practices). Study findings were encouraging, identifying cost-savings, increased revenue, enhanced reputation, and customer and employee satisfaction. Energy-savings as well as a greater connection to the community were found to be beneficial outcomes of sustainable practices. Despite its acknowledged dependency on the natural environment as well as cultural assets nature and culture, the tourism industry is perhaps still in its infancy in moving towards industry-wide sustainability success. While academic literature has attributed this to the lack of awareness and low dedication to take action, this study found an indication of a positive relationship between sustainability commitment and financial and non-financial firm performance. The findings extend previous research that focused on larger and more facility-dependent enterprises and suggest that sustainability is a beneficial path to follow regardless of company size and budget.

Does Eco-Certification Correlate with Improved Financial Performance? Evidence From a Longitudinal Study in the US Hospital Industry

2021 ◽  
pp. 002073142110189
Author(s):  
Germán M. Izón ◽  
Nathaniel Islip
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
Production Externalities ◽  
Energy Star ◽  
Operating Margin

Health care-based negative production externalities, such as greenhouse gas emissions, underscore the need for hospitals to implement sustainable practices. Eco-certification has been adopted by a number of providers in an attempt, for instance, to curb energy consumption. While these strategies have been evaluated with respect to cost savings, their implications pertaining to hospitals’ financial viability remain unknown. We specify a fixed-effects model to estimate the correlation between Energy Star certification and 3 different hospitals’ financial performance measures (net patient revenue, operating expenses, and operating margin) in the United States between 2000 and 2016. The Energy Star participation indicators’ parameters imply that this type of eco-certification is associated with lower net patient revenue and lower operating expenses. However, the estimated negative relationship between eco-certification and operating margin suggests that the savings in operating expenses are not enough for a hospital to achieve higher margins. These findings may indicate that undertaking sustainable practices is partially related to intangible benefits such as community reputation and highlight the importance of government policies to financially support hospitals’ investments in green practices.

scholarly journals Multi-Country Analysis on Energy Savings in Buildings by Means of a Micro-Solar Organic Rankine Cycle System: A Simulation Study

Environments ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Arteconi ◽  
Luca Del Zotto ◽  
Roberto Tascioni ◽  
Khamid Mahkamov ◽  
Chris Underwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Organic Rankine Cycle ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Rankine Cycle ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Operational Cost ◽  
The North

In this paper, the smart management of buildings energy use by means of an innovative renewable micro-cogeneration system is investigated. The system consists of a concentrated linear Fresnel reflectors solar field coupled with a phase change material thermal energy storage tank and a 2 kWe/18 kWth organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system. The microsolar ORC was designed to supply both electricity and thermal energy demand to residential dwellings to reduce their primary energy use. In this analysis, the achievable energy and operational cost savings through the proposed plant with respect to traditional technologies (i.e., condensing boilers and electricity grid) were assessed by means of simulations. The influence of the climate and latitude of the installation was taken into account to assess the performance and the potential of such system across Europe and specifically in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, U.K., and Sweden. Results show that the proposed plant can satisfy about 80% of the overall energy demand of a 100 m2 dwelling in southern Europe, while the energy demand coverage drops to 34% in the worst scenario in northern Europe. The corresponding operational cost savings amount to 87% for a dwelling in the south and at 33% for one in the north.

scholarly journals Energy saving potential of occupancy sensors in intermittent-use space types.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Georgia Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Time Delay ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Sensor Technology ◽  
Building Industry ◽  
User Survey ◽  
User Perceptions ◽  
Energy Saving Potential

<p>For decades, studies have been suggesting the idea of occupancy sensors in intermittent use spaces for energy savings. This work investigates the potential energy savings of occupancy sensors in hallways, stairwells, seminar rooms and lavatories of an education building. Lighting is one of the largest consumers of energy in the building industry and these space types are often fully illuminated for long periods of vacancy. Lighting is for the user, not the building. Discussions centre around light use habits, energy saving behaviours and sensor technology such as time delay and daylight sensors. The experiment uses wireless light sensors and PIR sensors to measure light energy use and occupant use of 20 intermittent use spaces. A user survey was planned to run alongside the experiment to investigate user perceptions of changes in lighting but was discontinued due to unresolved software issues. Results of the experiment encouraged the use of occupancy sensors in intermittent use spaces. Lavatories attained highest energy saving potential 54%, seminar rooms highest annual cost savings per fitting $15.47 and highest annual energy savings 482kWh and hallways calculated the quickest payback of 8.6 years. Hallways, stairwells, seminar rooms and lavatories all offer potential for energy savings, supporting the theoretical ideas and success of occupancy sensors in intermittent use spaces.</p>

scholarly journals The challenges of developing small tourism enterprises in townships: case of Umlazi, South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-205
Author(s):  
Nsizwazikhona Simon Chili ◽  
Simiso Lindokuhle Mabaso
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Elite Group ◽  
Global Tourism ◽  
Tourism Enterprises ◽  
Township Tourism ◽  
Tourism Economy

Township tourism in South Africa has grown in popularity since 1994 and is considered by some researchers to be an appropriate mechanism for stimulating local economic development. Opportunities for the development of black-owned enterprises in South Africa began for the first time when the country integrated into the global tourism economy after many years of international sanctions. The growth of township tourism thus can provide the context for potential economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs to enter the business, an activity that traditionally has been the domain of established white South African entrepreneurs. The main objective of the study is to present findings on the challenges that face a certain group of small tourism enterprises in townships with more attention being specifically paid to Umlazi as the second biggest township in the Southern hemisphere. The main reason for the choice of the study is due to the fact that there is only a limited literature that explores the conditions of small-scale and informal tourism entrepreneurs operating in South Africa’s black townships. The focus falls upon the challenges of developing small tourism entrepreneurs for black owners in the township, especially because South African tourism industry is highly concentrated and dominated by small elite group of large, mostly locally owned, tourism organizations which drive the tourism economy that unfortunately excludes and sidelines that of the townships

scholarly journals Theoretical and Methodological Approaches to Tourism Enterprise Business Processes Efficiency Evaluation

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 22-30
Author(s):  
Yuriy B. Myronov ◽  
Mariana I. Myronova
Keyword(s):  
Business Processes ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Green Technologies ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Performance Targets ◽  
Analysis And Synthesis ◽  
Virtual And Augmented Reality ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Tourism Enterprises ◽  
Relationship Of

The relevance of the research is stipulated by the necessity for an adequate evaluation of the tourism enterprises’ efficiency and individual business processes at these enterprises in the context of the ever-growing influence of the tourism industry on the economic and social spheres of society. The aim of the research is to build a conceptual model for evaluating the efficiency of business processes of tourist enterprises. The methodological basis of the research is based on methods of abstraction, analogies, analysis and synthesis; normative and positive approaches to the study of economic processes; process and system approaches; modelling method. The article considers theoretical and methodological approaches to assessing the efficiency of tourism enterprise processes in modern conditions of tourism services market development. The main concepts of business processes were defined, the goal and criteria for evaluating their efficiency were formulated. The main factors affecting the efficiency of tourism enterprises business processes were described. The main groups of indicators for evaluating the tourism enterprise business processes efficiency were proposed. Such a system of indicators helps to comprehensively monitor the situation at a tourism enterprise, since it takes into account all key areas of activity of an enterprise and identifies priority business processes that require changes. The specifics of assessing the level the efficiency of tourism enterprises business processes depend on a number of variable factors and therefore the main trends in the development of a tourist enterprise and the relationship of its economic indicators are usually studied. Approaches to the procedure for evaluating the efficiency of business processes, as well as to the formation of a system of indicators for evaluating the specified efficiency at a tourism enterprise were studied. The main principles of forming a system for evaluating tourism enterprises business processes efficiency are defined. A number of technologies for evaluating the efficiency of business processes were described. A model for evaluating the efficiency of business processes in tourism is presented. It is noted that the main and determining role in evaluating the activities of a tourism enterprise is played by performance targets. Based on the identified features of tourism activities, problems that may arise in the process of evaluating the efficiency of business processes were considered and effective ways to eliminate them were proposed. The prospects for further scientific researches in this direction are substantiated, which are to study the improvement of the tourism companies efficiency through the introduction of innovative technologies (neuromarketing, virtual and augmented reality, as well as “green” technologies)

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON MARKET CAPITAL ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY: EXPERIENCE OF THE EU AND OTHER COUNTRIES

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-121
Author(s):  
M. Troian ◽  
V. Shkola ◽  
M. Domashenko ◽  
T. Makarenko
Keyword(s):  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
World Order ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Government Support ◽  
The World ◽  
Global Tourism ◽  
Tourism Enterprises ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

With the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry faced a crisis that could be the worst in history. In recent years, the tourism industry has been one of the fastest-growing industries, sometimes faster than the world economy as a whole. 2019 has brought unprecedented changes to the world order, affecting all socio-ecological and economic ties. What are the consequences of and will have global tourism in connection with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, which countries and regions of the world will suffer the greatest losses, what threatens and what are the benefits of the tourism crisis that will bring a "new order" to the tourism industry, what innovative management anti-crisis measures should be applied by world governments and non-governmental organizations to overcome the unprecedented tourism crisis - all these issues remain acute and have identified the research topic. The paper examines the methodological developments and recommendations for overcoming the tourism crisis in Europe caused by the pandemic virus COVID-19, namely, the article identifies the basics and consequences of the pandemic impact on market capital on the example of tourism in Europe and the world, shows that the global tourism industry is one of the main factors in the formation of market capital, studied market capital as a component of intellectual capital on the example of tourism in the EU, outlined the prospects for global tourism, developed a system of measures to overcome the global crisis through tourism SWOT-analysis. Namely: enhanced multilateral cooperation and strong support are important for the resumption of tourism; the speed of adaptation of governments at all levels and the private sector involved in the tourism sector and the ability to respond quickly and adapt to the crisis; providing targeted and affordable government support as quickly and efficiently as possible for vulnerable tourism enterprises, workers and tourists; ensuring policy clarity and taking measures to limit uncertainty; invention and development of more sustainable and sustainable (socio-ecological-economic) models of tourism; development of tourism education and legislation.

Near Optimal Receding Horizon Control of Thermal Energy Storage

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Omer Ahmed Qureshi ◽  
Peter R. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Search Algorithm ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Receding Horizon Control ◽  
Receding Horizon ◽  
Favorable Weather

Abstract Efficient plant operation can be achieved by properly loading and sequencing available chillers to charge and discharge a thermal energy storage (TES) reservoir at optimal rates and times. TES charging sequences are often determined by heuristic rules that typically aim to reduce utility costs under time of use rates. However, such rules of thumb may result in significantly sub optimal performance on somedays. Rigorous optimization, on the other hand, is computationally expensive and can be unreliable as well if not carefully implemented. Receding Horizon Control (RHC) using the novel finite search algorithm is reliable and can reach ~80% of achievable energy efficiency and/or peak shifting capacity has been our target. A novel algorithm is developed to reliably achieve near optimal control for charging the stratified sensible cool storage reservoir of a chiller plant. The algorithm provides a constant COP (or cost per ton-hour) for 24-hr dispatch plan under which chillers operate during most favorable weather conditions. Analysis of four hot climates, ranging from humid to dry, indicates 2.4~2.6% energy savings under a flat electricity rate relative to the same plant operating without TES. Annual cost savings from 6% to 9% was found for electricity billed under a simple (10am-10pm) time-of-use rate with no demand charge and no ratchet component.

Covid-19 Crisis Management Responses of Small Tourism Firms in South Africa

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irma Booyens ◽  
Christian M. Rogerson ◽  
Jayne M. Rogerson ◽  
Tom Baum
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Crisis Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Interview Survey ◽  
Tourism Enterprises ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Impact

Although the literature on COVID-19 is expanding, particularly in relation to crisis management responses pursued by large tourism enterprises, currently few studies exist on the responses of small tourism firms and more specifically of the crisis management practices of small and microaccom modation establishments. The aim in this study is to investigate the business management responses of small tourism firms to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and restrictions in South Africa. Themes of concern are whether enterprises have been able to sustain operations and adopt certain coping mechanisms or management strategies to mitigate the pandemic’s impact. The article reports on an interview survey of small and microenterprises engaged in accommodation services (N = 75) in South Africa under lockdown restrictions as a means of assessing the responses and coping strategies during an unprecedented crisis of this core component of the country’s tourism industry. Among key findings are that small and microlodging firms that have suffered severe financial losses because of the COVID-19 shock have few viable mechanisms to cope with the impact of the crisis and that government support to aid recovery has been insufficient in South Africa. This research contributes to the limited body of international scholarship that examines how small and microaccommodation firms, a major group and contributor of many economies, are navigating the unprecedented COVID-19 environment.

Consumer Confidence in Responsible Tourism

2014 ◽  
pp. 264-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mara Manente ◽  
Valeria Minghetti ◽  
Erica Mingotto ◽  
Francesco Casarin
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Professional Community ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Consumer Confidence ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Ecological Principles ◽  
Reporting Systems ◽  
Tourism Enterprises ◽  
Responsible Tourism

The chapter focuses on reporting systems which assess responsible tourism and Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) in the tourism industry. These tools have recently received more and more attention from the international academic and professional community, given the urgent need to promote a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable development of tourism. The use of reporting systems can encourage responsible practices by tourism businesses, improving internal processes and activities along the tourism value chain, as well as enhance consumer confidence in respectful companies and in responsible tourism. Through the application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the chapter develops a critical assessment of the reporting systems currently available in Europe, in order to support the diffusion of responsible policies and practices in the tourism industry and the businesses' commitment towards clients. Particular attention is paid to small and medium-size tourism enterprises, since they have more difficulties in organising their business according to social and ecological principles and to develop the conditions under which a product can be defined as “responsible”. The analysis underlines that the evaluation of these tools, in terms of their effectiveness and reliability in monitoring business responsibility, depends on the criteria taken into account for the analysis and then on the auditors' selection of appropriate variables.

scholarly journals Energy and Cost Savings through Pumping Stations Rehabilitation. Case Study in Bucharest

Proceedings ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (11) ◽  
pp. 593
Author(s):  
Sorin Perju ◽  
Alexandru Aldea
Keyword(s):  
Water Distribution ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Distribution Network ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Water Distribution Network ◽  
Water Network ◽  
Water Losses ◽  
Pumping Stations ◽  
Technical Solutions

This paper presents the results recorded by upgrading and rehabilitating the pumping stations for an urban water network with a primary goal of diminishing the operation and maintenance costs and a secondary goal of reducing the water losses in the water distribution network. The adopted technical solutions within the structural and functional modifications of the pumping stations have led to both the improvement of hydraulic parameters of the pumping stations and also the improvement of registered energy consumption. The undertaken modifications and transformations within the pumping stations led to significant energy savings and at the same time to important water losses reductions within the distribution network.

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