Scope
This report will outline the best practices for corporate social responsibility in hospitality that will ensure improved efficiency and effectiveness. This report will analyze the importance of incorporating practices of corporate social responsibility in hospitality, as well as some examples of best practices in CSR. CSR plays a huge role in developing the hospitality industry.
Background
CSR is a concept in which organizations involve all environmental, social, and economic concepts in their business operations. These organizations should also integrate CSR in their interaction with employees, shareholders, customers, public authority, and consumers as well as the surrounding environment in which they are situated. CSR entails the way a business is run and its core values. Professionals in the hospitality industry have the ability to undertake best practices, which will have positive impacts on communities in the surrounding environments.
An organization in the hospitality industry has a great impact on the economy within the environment in which it operates. The relationship which the organization will develop with its stakeholders, who include, employers, community, and the environment at large, is an important determinant for the development of a particular area. Generally, relationships, which include CSR and sustainability as vital aspects of their strategies, ensure efficiency and effectiveness (Turner, 2010).
Various best practices of CSR may be undertaken within the hospitality industry to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. Best practices of CSR have to be developed within an organization ensuring all employees are familiar with their specific characteristics. CSR policies should be organizational driven based on common environmental, ethical, ecological, and social principles.
Environmental
Conservation of water and energy as well as solid waste management are major environmental concerns in the hospitality industry. Professionals should develop appropriate mitigation measures that will ensure these environmental impacts are reduced. The hospitality industry should develop partnerships with government and environmental agencies. These partnerships will help in the reduction of energy consumption of their facilities (Chen, et.al, 2012).
Forming partnerships are also regarded as a means of demonstrating credibility and accountability regarding environmental conservation claims. Organizations in the hospitality sector should form partnerships with environmental authorities that will assist and encourage them to practice the conservation of resources.
A great example of the best practice for CSR being incorporated into an organization’s core strategy, setting goals to be the most resource-efficient organization, and at the same time ensure the provision of high-quality services and facilities. Organizations should approach CSR initiatives in the same way as their set goals, especially on ensuring a great focus on employees as social initiatives and also as means of stimulating the economy and social CSR performance (Idowu and Filho, 2009). Organizations should develop training programs for their employees regarding ecological sustainability as well as the wise use of resources such as energy and water.
Social
The hospitality industry will have positive impacts on the local and regional environments if it is managed in a sustainable manner. Some best practices for CSR in the hospitality industry include a focus on staff training and retention as well as the health, safety, and lifestyle of staff. High employee turnover and a high proportion of an unskilled workforce are a characteristic of the hospitality industry. These factors provide little room for internal advancement. The hospitality sector is a great employer and source of economic stimulation for the local communities.
The manner in which organizations interact with their employees is a great determinant of their interactions with the surrounding community since these organizations tend to employ individuals within the local community. Therefore, if employment within the industry is unstable, employment in the local community will also be unstable, and this will have a great impact on development. Organizations that aim at solving this issue should provide training to employees who hope to build their careers within the hospitality sector.
Organizations should also develop programs for retaining employees. Retaining employees is a good approach for social practice and business at large since every improvement in employee turnover would lead to cost savings (Chen and Clarke, 2012).
Another important practice involves developing a health and healthy lifestyle program which includes incentives for employees as well as programs for staff members who wish to maintain healthy lifestyles. Incentives will motivate employees and they will, in turn, provide high-quality services to consumers as well as ensure high productivity within an organization. A healthy lifestyle program will ensure employees get assistance based on any health issues they may be experiencing. Employees will also be taught on important health issues and the impacts of lifestyle choices they make.
Economic
The economic impact in hospitality on its surrounding environment greatly depends on its financial success. Organizations within the hospitality industry should develop long-term views and sustainable business models for them to have positive impacts on the environments in which they operate. The manner in which organizations approach their employees is important in ensuring economic stability as well as long-term financial success. This issue is of great importance especially as it will ensure the hospitality industry survives in the current economic environment faced by declining earnings.
This suggests that professionals in the hospitality industry have to incorporate best practices for CSR in order to stay in business. Social responsibility is emerging as a differentiating factor in the hospitality industry as consumers are becoming more careful regarding areas and the manner in which they spend their money. Therefore, each organization has to ensure they adopt best practices that will retain and attract large customer crowds.
Organizations have to be aware of the social and environmental issues affecting environments in which they operate to ensure the interests of the local community are met. Key Learning Points This report provides an introduction to CSR and outlines its benefits to the hospitality industry. The report has provided three facets of CSR which can be used by professionals in the industry.
The following aspects are crucial CSR aspects that will ensure efficiency:
- Employees have to be empowered, trained, and engaged in all facets of CSR.
- Employees should be treated well and have stable employment and fair wage as this will ensure positive impacts within the local community.
- Professionals within the hospitality industry are the originators of CSR
- Developing skills within employees will assist them to become successful in the future as well as ensure economic and social benefits in the local environment.
- CSR initiatives should be focused on all aspects of the hospitality industry.
- Resource conservation will ensure a reduction in utility bills and solid waste reduction will also reduce the hauling fees. Resource conservation and waste management are important aspects since customers have great consideration for CSR and eco-friendliness in their choices.
References
Chen, J, Legrand, W. and Sloan, P. (2012). Eco- advantage in the Hospitality Industry. New York , NY: Routlegde.
Chen, W. and Clarke, A. (2012). International Hospitality Management. New York, NY: Routledge.
Idowu. O. S. and Filho, L. W. (2009). Professionals’ Perspectives of Corporate Social Responsibility. New York, NY: Springer.
Turner, J. (2010). Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility in Hospitality. Web.