Relationship between green operations practices and operational performance of hotels in the coastal region, Kenya

Abstract

Over the past few years, environmental concerns have led organizations to wide-spread interest in sustainable practices and their relationships to operational performance. This is reflected in a growing number of recent papers which explore the relationship between environmental operations and business performance. Along with the rapid change in global management scenario, environmental and social issue s are becoming more important in managing any business. Green operations relate to a ll aspects related to product manufacture/re-manufacture, usage, handling, logistics and waste management once the design has been finalized. The study sought to determine the extent to which green operations practices have been adopted by hotels in the coastal region, Kenya and to establish the relationship between green operations management practices and operational performance of hotels. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional census survey design. A survey design describes people responses to questions about a phenomenon or situation with aim of understanding respondent’s perceptions from which truism is constructed. A cross-sectional survey however collects data to make inferences about a population of interest at one point in time. The population of the study comprised of hotels in the coastal region as at August, 2014. They were 47 in number. It was therefore a census study of all hotels in coastal region. The study used primary data. Primary data was collected by the use of a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered using ‘drop-and-pick’ later method. The respondents were the top managers of the hotels because they are deemed to be well versed with the green practices in the respective departments. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and frequency were used in the analysis. The study used the regression analysis to establish the relationship between the independent variable (Green operation practices) and the dependent variable (operational performance). The study established that the hotels adopt a variety of green practices in the areas of energy consumption, water consumption, waste generation, reduction and recycling and employee training and awareness creation. The study also established that there is a strong positive correlation between green operations practices and operational performance. Hotels view the green operations practices as very important hence adoption of green operation s practices by hotels have a positive effect on operational performance. From the finding s of the study, the researcher recommended that the hotels should adopt green operation practices in energy consumption, water consumption, waste management and awareness creation among employees. The hotels should adopt energy and water conservation programs which are cheaper to implement. These practices include water harvesting during the rainy season and encouraging switching off electrical gadgets which will not be in use. It also includes the use of solar energy for heating and cooling systems. Policies and guided frameworks on using fewer resources are also recommended to the hotels. The researcher also recommends that green operation practices and their implications on the costs should be frequently communicated to the employee. Hotels on another note should do their be st to facilitate employees’ participation in green practices. Hotel managers should also embrace regular environmental audits where environmental performance is constantly monitored and recorded. This can be achieved by developing organizational systems and control to facilitate environmental reporting.