Tracing the evolution of environmental practices research in the hotel industry: a mixed-review perspective

The purpose of the study is to map the terrain of extant literature on green hotel practices conducted over 40 decades (1983–2020) and identify the gaps to be addressed by future research. The study examines the content of 561 articles retrieved from the Scopus database. Data generated were analysed...

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Main Authors: Christopher Mensah, Edem M. Azila-Gbettor, Divine Tuinese Novieto, George Harrison Coffie, Eric Kodzo Adzivor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-05-01
Series:Research in Hospitality Management
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22243534.2025.2483753
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author Christopher Mensah
Edem M. Azila-Gbettor
Divine Tuinese Novieto
George Harrison Coffie
Eric Kodzo Adzivor
author_facet Christopher Mensah
Edem M. Azila-Gbettor
Divine Tuinese Novieto
George Harrison Coffie
Eric Kodzo Adzivor
author_sort Christopher Mensah
collection DOAJ
description The purpose of the study is to map the terrain of extant literature on green hotel practices conducted over 40 decades (1983–2020) and identify the gaps to be addressed by future research. The study examines the content of 561 articles retrieved from the Scopus database. Data generated were analysed using VOSviewer software to reveal research topics represented via keywords, and content analysis to uncover themes and sub-themes in the body of green hotel practices research. The review reveals that research on hotel environmental practices has grown significantly since 2010, with a focus on energy conservation, consumer perceptions and corporate sustainability strategies. However, the field remains fragmented, with most studies being atheoretical, cross-sectional and based on non-probability samples. The study also highlights underexplored areas such as green supply chain management, sustainable leadership and digital sustainability innovations in the hotel industry. Future research should explore emerging themes such as smart technology integration, the role of cultural and regulatory contexts and longitudinal assessments of sustainability impacts. Methodologically, more qualitative and mixed-methods studies are needed to deepen insights into green hotel practices.
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series Research in Hospitality Management
spelling doaj-art-ae5e96c459414f2e9836b8d5fe4b19ee2025-08-20T03:05:53ZengTaylor & Francis GroupResearch in Hospitality Management2224-35342415-51522025-05-0115217119110.1080/22243534.2025.2483753Tracing the evolution of environmental practices research in the hotel industry: a mixed-review perspectiveChristopher Mensah0Edem M. Azila-Gbettor1Divine Tuinese Novieto2George Harrison Coffie3Eric Kodzo Adzivor4Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Ho Technical University, GhanaDepartment of Management Sciences, Ho Technical University, GhanaDepartment of Building Technology, Ho Technical University, GhanaDepartment of Building Technology, Ho Technical University, GhanaDepartment of Building Technology, Ho Technical University, GhanaThe purpose of the study is to map the terrain of extant literature on green hotel practices conducted over 40 decades (1983–2020) and identify the gaps to be addressed by future research. The study examines the content of 561 articles retrieved from the Scopus database. Data generated were analysed using VOSviewer software to reveal research topics represented via keywords, and content analysis to uncover themes and sub-themes in the body of green hotel practices research. The review reveals that research on hotel environmental practices has grown significantly since 2010, with a focus on energy conservation, consumer perceptions and corporate sustainability strategies. However, the field remains fragmented, with most studies being atheoretical, cross-sectional and based on non-probability samples. The study also highlights underexplored areas such as green supply chain management, sustainable leadership and digital sustainability innovations in the hotel industry. Future research should explore emerging themes such as smart technology integration, the role of cultural and regulatory contexts and longitudinal assessments of sustainability impacts. Methodologically, more qualitative and mixed-methods studies are needed to deepen insights into green hotel practices.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22243534.2025.2483753bibliometric reviewenvironmental practiceshospitality industryhotelssystematic review
spellingShingle Christopher Mensah
Edem M. Azila-Gbettor
Divine Tuinese Novieto
George Harrison Coffie
Eric Kodzo Adzivor
Tracing the evolution of environmental practices research in the hotel industry: a mixed-review perspective
Research in Hospitality Management
bibliometric review
environmental practices
hospitality industry
hotels
systematic review
title Tracing the evolution of environmental practices research in the hotel industry: a mixed-review perspective
title_full Tracing the evolution of environmental practices research in the hotel industry: a mixed-review perspective
title_fullStr Tracing the evolution of environmental practices research in the hotel industry: a mixed-review perspective
title_full_unstemmed Tracing the evolution of environmental practices research in the hotel industry: a mixed-review perspective
title_short Tracing the evolution of environmental practices research in the hotel industry: a mixed-review perspective
title_sort tracing the evolution of environmental practices research in the hotel industry a mixed review perspective
topic bibliometric review
environmental practices
hospitality industry
hotels
systematic review
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22243534.2025.2483753
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AT divinetuinesenovieto tracingtheevolutionofenvironmentalpracticesresearchinthehotelindustryamixedreviewperspective
AT georgeharrisoncoffie tracingtheevolutionofenvironmentalpracticesresearchinthehotelindustryamixedreviewperspective
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