Sustainability Measurements in the Built Hospitality Environment: Asset Ownership & Operational Choices

Abstract

An exploratory study has been conducted to establish two sustainability measures reflecting consumption of resources at 984 sites in the U.S. hospitality industry over an 8 year period: first one is driven by operating factors (OPF), and the other is driven by consumer behavior related factors (BEF). A comparative analysis of these factors based on local differences at these sites is offered: ownership - manage self owned asset versus hire professional management company; type of management structure - franchisee/chain versus third-party oversight; location - urban versus rural; type of ambient climate - hot versus cold; and the type of consumer - corporate groups vs. individuals served. Systematic differences are observed between the average OPF and BEF measurements based on these variegated local differences. These differences inform the development of a framework to assess the tensions between investments made by asset owners and the commitment by its operator to implement sustainable operating practices.

Keywords: environmental sustainability measure, technical efficiency, built environment