The Effect of green practices on the operational efficiency of four-star and five-star hotels in Nairobi
Date
2021
Authors
Shekinah, Githinji
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
The hotel industry has always been one of the biggest industries in the world, and also fastest growing. With more properties popping up in different locations around the world, there has also been a growing need for more resources and materials from the Earth. In addition to this, the rising issues of global warming and pollution, has created the need for hotels to be more conscious of the way in which they operate. Many hotels around the world have started to look towards adopting green practices in their operations in order to lessen the negative impact that they have on the environment. Looking at Kenya, little research had been done regarding green practices in hotels, and essentially their effectiveness in improving operations in the hotel. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect that green practices had on the operational efficiency of 4-star and 4-star hotels in Nairobi. The study used descriptive research design. The target population of the study consisted of 23 four-star and five-star hotels in Nairobi County, classified and listed according to the Tourism Regulatory Authority. The study used non-probability sampling and a sample size of 19 hotels, 5 five-star and 14 four-star was obtained. Convenience sampling method was also used to choose the hotels in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected many hotels’ operations. Primary data was collected for the study. Structured and close-ended questionnaires were used in this study as data collection tools. Descriptive analysis and correlation analysis were used to analyse the quantitative and qualitative data from the questionnaires. Descriptive analysis used statistics like percentages, mean and range to analyse data. Correlation analysis used statistics like Pearson’s correlation coefficient to analyse data. The findings of the study were analysed and presented using pie charts, tables to show the descriptive data, and scatter graphs to show the correlation between adoption of green practices by hotels and the hotel’s performance. In relation to 4-star and 5-star hotels, findings from the study concluded that they have to a great extent implemented green practices such as water management, air quality management and environmental purchasing into their operations. The study also concluded that there is a positive correlation between the adoption of green practices and the performance of hotels in categories like hotel service quality, star rating and status. The findings also proved that green practices were very effective in improving the operations of the hotels. The study recommended that 4-star and 4-star hotels should continue to adopt green practices in their operations as well as improve on the current ones that they have, in order to have more sustainable business operations.
Description
A Research Project Proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management