Submit to Sustainability Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Sustainable Management and Organizational Behavior in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Related Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Tourism, Culture, and Heritage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (14 March 2026) | Viewed by 28639

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Yoon Jung Jang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Restaurant & Entrepreneurship, College of Hotel, Food Service, & Culinary Arts, Woosong University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
Interests: restaurant management; sustainability; consumer behavior; entrepreneurship
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue on "Sustainable Management and Organizational Behavior in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry" seeks to explore the critical intersection of sustainability practices and organizational behavior within the hospitality industry. As the global hospitality sector faces increasing pressure to adopt environmentally and socially responsible practices, it is essential to understand how these initiatives can be effectively integrated into daily operations. This Special Issue will investigate the role of leadership, employee engagement, and cultural influences in fostering a sustainable organizational culture. By examining topics such as green leadership, sustainable supply chain management, and waste reduction practices, this Special Issue aims to provide valuable insights into how hospitality organizations can not only meet but exceed sustainability goals. By addressing the challenges and opportunities within sustainable hospitality management, this Special Issue will contribute to a deeper understanding of how the industry can balance economic, environmental, and social responsibilities, ultimately leading to a more sustainable future for all stakeholders.

Submissions on, but not limited to, the following topics are invited:

Green Leadership: The role of leadership in promoting sustainability in hospitality.
Sustainability Training: Strategies for training hospitality staff in sustainable practices.
Sustainable Customer Experience: How sustainability affects guests’ satisfaction and loyalty.
Behavioral Change: Factors driving sustainable behaviors in hospitality employees.
Sustainable Supply Chains: Innovations in managing sustainable supply chains in hospitality.
Energy Efficiency and Economics: How behavioral economics promotes energy-saving actions in hospitality.
Waste Reduction: Effective methods to minimize waste in hospitality organizations.
Cultural Influences: How cultural differences impact sustainability in global hospitality.
CSR and Employee Morale: The link between corporate social responsibility and employee engagement.
Tech-Driven Sustainability: The role of digital tools in fostering sustainability in hospitality.

Yours faithfully,
The Guest Editor

Dr. Yoon Jung Jang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sustainable hospitality
organizational behavior
employee engagement
environmental responsibility
customer satisfaction

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Sustainable Management and Organizational Behavior in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry—2nd Edition in Sustainability

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

20 pages, 1306 KB

Open AccessArticle

Leadership Behaviors and Leader Effectiveness: The Mediating Role of Cultural Intelligence

by Ayça Yüksel Sakınç and Ercan Ergün

Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11054; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411054 - 17 Dec 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 13385

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of cultural intelligence in the relationship between leadership behaviors and leadership effectiveness. A quantitative approach was adopted to test the hypotheses, and data were collected through surveys from 410 employees working in four- and five-star hotels in Istanbul. The analysis of the obtained data was conducted using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), regression analysis, and the PROCESS macro. The results of the analysis revealed that cultural intelligence has a mediating effect on the relationships between task-oriented leadership behaviors and leadership effectiveness, relationship-oriented leadership behaviors and leadership effectiveness, and change-oriented leadership behaviors and leadership effectiveness. In the globalized world, cultural diversity in businesses is increasing, which is especially pronounced in the hospitality industry. The fact that guests come from different cultural backgrounds further highlights the importance of leaders’ cultural awareness and cultural intelligence. As a result, both academics and managers attach great importance to this issue. However, there are still significant gaps in understanding the relationship between cultural intelligence and leadership. In this context, the study aims to contribute to the literature on leadership and cultural intelligence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management and Organizational Behavior in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 499 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Tour Guide Selection: A Best–Worst Scaled Assessment of Critical Performance Criteria for Enhanced Tour Quality

by Omer Bafail and Abdulkader Hanbazazah

Sustainability 2025, 17(9), 4213; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17094213 - 7 May 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4130

Abstract

This study addresses the critical need for an evaluation framework for tour guides within the rapidly expanding tourism sector of Saudi Arabia. Employing the best–worst method, a robust multi-criteria decision-making technique, this study identifies and prioritizes key criteria for tour guide performance. Experts ranked local cultural and historical background as the most significant attribute, demonstrating its importance in delivering authentic and enriching visitor experiences. Results revealed the relative weights of other criteria, highlighting the significance of several factors such as language proficiency, time management, and environmental and ethical awareness. Notably, technology adaption criterion received the lowest weighting, indicating a potential area for future focus within the Saudi tourism sector. The study’s findings provide a foundational framework for developing a comprehensive tour guide evaluation system. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on tour guide evaluation and offers practical implications for training and development initiatives within the Saudi Arabian tourism industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management and Organizational Behavior in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 857 KB

Open AccessArticle

RETRACTED: Linking Green Transformational Leadership to Employee Green Resilience: A Sequential Mediation Model of Environmental Commitment, Engagement, and Green HR Practices in Green Hotels

by Tugrul Gunay

Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6315; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146315 - 9 Jul 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3021 | Retraction

Abstract

As environmental sustainability becomes a central strategic priority in the hospitality industry, understanding the mechanisms that enhance employees’ green behavior is increasingly essential. This study investigates the influence of Green Transformational Leadership (GTL) on employees’ green resilience (GR), exploring the sequential mediating roles of employee environmental commitment (ECOM), environmental engagement (EENG), and Green High-Performance Work Practices (GHPWPs). Drawing on data from 475 full-time employees working in green-certified hotels in Izmir, Türkiye, the proposed model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that GTL significantly enhances employees’ green resilience, both directly and indirectly, through its positive impact on their environmental attitudes and the implementation of green-oriented work practices. This research contributes to leadership and sustainability research by integrating affective, cognitive, and behavioral pathways. It offers practical insights for hotel managers aiming to build a resilient and environmentally engaged workforce. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management and Organizational Behavior in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 1681 KB

Open AccessArticle

Culinary Knowledge and Sustainability: Chef-Led Food Waste Management in Serbia’s Hospitality Sector

by Nikola Vuksanović, Dunja Demirović Bajrami, Goran Perić, Nataša Perović and Marija Bojić

Sustainability 2025, 17(18), 8497; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17188497 - 22 Sep 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4164

Abstract

The challenge of food waste poses significant economic, environmental, and ethical concerns worldwide, with the hospitality sector being particularly affected. This study explores food waste prevention and management practices in five-star hotels in Serbia, focusing on the knowledge, attitudes, and resourcefulness of head chefs as key actors in implementing sustainable solutions. A qualitative exploratory design was applied, combining semi-structured interviews with eight head chefs and hotel managers, in-kitchen field observations, and food waste audits conducted in eight luxury hotels in Belgrade. The food waste hierarchy framework was used to assess how head chefs understand and act upon food waste issues. Findings reveal that while food waste policies vary across hotels, head chefs demonstrate varying levels of awareness and resourcefulness, often shaped by corporate policies, training, and personal experience. Despite limitations in policy enforcement, many head chefs apply practical strategies such as FIFO stock rotation, local sourcing, and creative reuse of ingredients. This study advances the theoretical understanding of food waste management in hospitality by linking practice theory with culinary knowledge and corporate influence. It also provides practical implications for training, policy development, and sustainable hospitality operations in transitional economies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management and Organizational Behavior in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 345 KB

Open AccessArticle

How Warm Glow and Altruistic Values Drive Consumer Perceptions of Sustainable Meal-Kit Brands

by Yoon Jung Jang

Sustainability 2025, 17(19), 8780; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17198780 - 30 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1717

Abstract

The contribution of meal kits to the waste problem has become a significant concern, leading consumers to demand sustainable practices from meal-kit companies. This study proposes a framework to understand customer behavior toward sustainable meal-kit brands that promote practices such as recycling and waste reduction. This study applies warm glow theory to investigate how pure and impure altruism affect consumers’ perceptions of a meal-kit brand’s sustainability, perceived price fairness, and continuance intention. The findings confirmed that meal-kit brands’ sustainable practices significantly enhanced consumers’ perceptions of brand sustainability, which in turn influenced their perceived price fairness and continuance intention. Furthermore, warm glow and altruistic values were found to significantly moderate the relationship between consumers’ perceptions of brand sustainability and their continuance intention. However, no significant moderating effects were observed between consumers’ perceptions of brand sustainability and perceived price fairness. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying consumer attitudes and behaviors toward meal-kit brands’ sustainability efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management and Organizational Behavior in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 469 KB

Open AccessArticle

Building Sustainable Organizational Citizenship Behavior in Hospitality: Structural Relationships of Rapport, Trust, and Psychological Capital Among Airline Cabin Crew

by Min Jung Kim and Yoon Joo Park

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10804; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310804 - 2 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 704

Abstract

This study examines the structural relationships among rapport, trust, psychological capital (PsyCap), and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in the emotionally demanding work context of airline cabin crews. Grounded in the job demands–resources (JD-R) model and social exchange theory (SET), we propose and test a sequential mediation model in which rapport is positively associated with trust, trust is positively associated with PsyCap, and PsyCap is positively associated with OCB. Based on survey data from 248 South Korean flight attendants, structural equation modeling (SEM) demonstrates that rapport is indirectly associated with OCB through the sequential mediation of trust and PsyCap, rather than displaying a significant direct association. The findings indicate that rapport functions not merely as an immediate behavioral driver but as a relational asset that is linked to the psychological capacities essential for sustainable organizational behavior. This study contributes to the theory by integrating JD-R and SET perspectives to explain how relational and psychological resources are jointly related to OCB. While the primary focus was on mediation, future research should test potential moderation effects, such as how job demands or emotional labor may shape the strength of these pathways—aligning with the JD-R model’s interactive assumptions. Practically, the results suggest that airline organizations and other service industries can promote sustainable human resource management by cultivating trust-based relational capital and strengthening employees’ PsyCap through targeted training, mentoring, and supportive leadership practices. These insights extend beyond aviation to other service sectors characterized by high emotional labor demands, offering a pathway to strengthen human resource sustainability and organizational social sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management and Organizational Behavior in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Sustainable Management and Organizational Behavior in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI