| dc.identifier.citation | Waita, G. M., Rotich, L. K. & Mapelu, I. C. (2025). The Role of Social Sustainability Initiatives in Driving GHG-Free Operations: Empirical Evidence from Game Lodges and Tented Camps Within Kenya’s Southern Tourism Circuit. African Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management, 4(1), 268-284. https://doi.org/10.37284/ajthm.4.1.3285. | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | This study examined the influence of social sustainability practices and the
adoption of zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emission practices among lodges
and tented camps in Kenya’s Southern Tourism Circuit. A quantitative
explanatory research design and multiple linear regression were employed to
assess the impact of seven social sustainability initiatives: Community
Collaboration and Guest Awareness, NGO Collaboration and Guest
Participation, Local Sourcing and Economic Support, Local Hiring and
Workplace Safety, Staff Development and Training, Community
Contributions, and Employee Welfare. Findings revealed that the regression
model was statistically significant (R² = 0.682, F (7,65) = 19.957, p < 0.001),
indicating that social sustainability practices collectively explain 68.2% of
the variance in the adoption of zero GHG emission practices. Three
components were found to significantly influence adoption: NGO
Collaboration and Guest Participation (β = 0.406), Local Sourcing and
Economic Support (β = 0.642), and Local Hiring and Workplace Safety (β =
0.247). However, Community Collaboration and Guest Awareness (β =
0.081, p = 0.400), Staff Development and Training (β = 0.107, p = 0.191),
Community Contributions (β = 0.031, p = 0.728), and Employee Welfare (β
= 0.146, p = 0.083) were not significant predictors in the regression model.
These results suggest that three important factors comprising NGO
collaboration and guest participation, local sourcing and economic support,
and local hiring and work safety significantly and positively influence the
adoption of zero GHG emission practices. Other social factors, such as staff
training and employee welfare, though present, may not directly influence
the adoption of zero GHG emission practices among lodges and tented
camps. For eco-lodge operators in this study, the study recommends that they
should deepen collaborations with NGOs and local communities to co-create
sustainability programs involving guests. They also need to formalise local
sourcing policies and maintain transparent tracking of purchases to
encourage local economies and reduce emissions. | en_US |
