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A Case Study of LightStay (2010–2017)—Hilton’s Corporate Responsibility Management System

Author

Listed:
  • Piotr Zientara

    (Faculty of Economics, University of Gdańsk, Armii Krajowej 119, 81-824 Sopot, Poland)

  • Paulina Bohdanowicz-Godfrey

    (Hilton, Maple Court, Reeds Crescent, Watford WD24 4QQ, UK)

  • Claire Whitely

    (Hilton, Maple Court, Reeds Crescent, Watford WD24 4QQ, UK)

  • Grzegorz Maciejewski

    (College of Economics, University of Economics in Katowice, 1 maja 50, 40-287 Katowice, Poland)

Abstract

This paper focuses on Hilton’s proprietary sustainability performance measurement system (SPMS) called LightStay (2010–2017). It draws on the case-study method and relies on three principal sources of information: in-house documents, a questionnaire completed by users of LightStay and interviews conducted with external experts. Specifically, the paper traces the system’s evolution and highlights its distinctive features, exploring the challenges and trade-offs related to the design and workings of an SPMS in a hotel multinational. The study shows, among other things, how LightStay, using an internationally approved methodology of data collection, calculation, metrics and benchmarking, compares a hotel’s predicted and actual environmental performance. It concludes by arguing that LightStay is a holistic platform that not only integrates precise measurement of the firm’s environmental effects with its business operations and strategic goals but also acts as a repository of sustainability knowledge and a facilitator of organisational learning. Its value and originality lie in providing unique insights into the workings of a proprietary SPMS at a nonanonymised hotel company.

Suggested Citation

  • Piotr Zientara & Paulina Bohdanowicz-Godfrey & Claire Whitely & Grzegorz Maciejewski, 2020. "A Case Study of LightStay (2010–2017)—Hilton’s Corporate Responsibility Management System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:9:p:2303-:d:354478
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    2. Alexandros Apostolakis & Shabbar Jaffry & Markos Kourgiantakis, 2020. "Examination of Individual Preferences for Green Hotels in Crete," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-17, October.

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