A Study on the Indicator Framework of Responsible Tourism in Tourism Accommodation Sector

 

 

ABSTRACT:

Tourism is often considered as one of the fastest growing sectors in the world.  It has a distinctive role in industrial growth and regional development. However, unscientific planning and development cause severe repercussions in the life of communities live in destinations. It produces conflict between local community and industry.   In order to strike a balance between growth of tourism and community development, positive interventions from the industry seems a need of the hour. This study proposes a frame work for the industry to practice responsible tourism with a goal of achieving sustainable destination management.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Tourism is considered as a means of growth considering it potential for the economic and social development of destinations and communities around the world.     At the same time, studies report that increased impacts of tourism produces various alarming issues in social, environmental, cultural, economic, and political spheres in destinations (Buckley, et al;  2003; Butler, 2006; Hall and Vredenburg, 2004; Richins and Pearce, 2000, and Ryan and Deci, 2001).  However, it is very vital to note that many travelers are very much concerned about the responsible practices involved with tourism destinations. Beyond, tourists often look into the matters of society, environment, culture, and sustainable practices of companies to choose responsible products (Tearfund, 2002).  This creates an urgent need for alternative and host friendly practices in tourism planning and development in the industry.  In this context developing a strategic guideline to practice responsible tourism in destination has high relevance which turn can improve clean image and competitiveness of tourism destinations.

 

 

CONTEXT:

Community Impact: It is often observed that tourism is developed at the cost of the community in destinations (Pradhan and Ranjan, 2010).  Studies on the impact of tourism warn that, while local communities lost their existing income sources, very little has been achieved to bring more balanced development and equitable distribution of income generated from tourism activities (Pleumarom, 2012; Sharply and Telfer, 2002; Telfer and Wall, 2000; Torres, 2003).  It infers that the revenues generated from tourism are relatively small that do not even outweigh the costs (Breugel, 2013; Goodwin, 2006; Krippendorf, 1982; Mitchell and Muckosy, 2008; Paul and Rupesh, 2013; Sharply and Telfer, 2002; Telfer and Wall, 2000; Torres, 2003). Various issues like environmental pollution, congestion, noise, high cost of living, and spiraling of inflation result in dissatisfaction among tourists and a kind of antagonism among local residents (Cavus and Tanrisevdi, 2003; Liu and Var, 1986; Shafer, et al; 2006; Kim, 2002).  Subsequently, it creates industry-community conflicts in the destination.

 

Constructive Role of Business: It is a fact that when government is obliged to implement strong developmental initiatives, the business sector also has to play an active role by doing responsible business that ensures distribution of wealth and well-being of the communities in which the business operates. The role played by private sector in supporting Government’s commitment to provide greater economic opportunities to the disadvantaged seems to be most effective (ADB, 2003).  Business community needs to have a self-driven urge to embrace sustainable development practices to create a win-win situation (Akpet, 2005 cited in Eja, et al., 2011; Akpan and Obang, 2012).  While economic reliance is the key objective of responsible tourism, constructive participation of industry is essential to maintain the economic health of countries, communities and regions (Paul and Rupesh, 2013).  In this context, the emerging concept responsible tourism has a huge relevance.

 

Impacts on Business:  It is a proved fact that responsible tourism practices have a critical role in the development of industry and growth of business in destinations. A U.S. survey revealed that 42% of U.S. consumers have decided not to buy a company’s products as a way of punishing it for social irresponsibility. A survey by ACNielsen shows that 62% of U.S. consumers have made a purchase because a company supported a particular cause (AMA, 2006).  Further, it found that corporate responsibility is the second most important factor in a company’s reputation next to the quality of products. Customers also evaluate companies based on kinds of business practices they are engaged in, methods their products are produced, and what effect on society the company has (AMA, 2006). Business considers ethics as having a big impact on their brands and reputations, investor confidence and customer trust (AMA/HRI, 2005).  87% of respondents to an international survey by the World Bank Institute said they pay attention to the social behavior of businesses in their nations (World Bank Institute, 2002).  Also, 89% of the British public had purchased something in the preceding year that was associated with a cause or charity they cared about and 44% of European consumers were willing to spend more for environmentally and socially responsible products. 

 

Responsible Behavior of Employees: Tourism managers are more sensitive to socially responsible and ethical issues when the organization sets clear ethical standards and values. Organization’s environment, such as corporate ethical values, principles, and guidelines affect the tourism professionals’ ethical decision-making. Managers in the tourism industry generally tend to believe that good ethics is important for the success of their business and are more likely to have positive attitudes toward implementing social responsibility within their tourism business (Newstrom and Ruch, 1975).  According to Vitell and Hidalgo (2006), managers must perceive ethics as important if their behaviors are to change. 

Thus, providing a clear set of standards and goals, an organization may improve their ethical and socially responsible perceptions of employees, and ultimately lead to better ethical behaviors and socially responsible performance. (Jung and Lori , 2011; Malloy and Fennell, 1998;Martínez, et al; 2013, and Wheeler (1991, 1993). 

 

THEORETICAL FRAME WORK:

Responsible Tourism: JostKrippendorf (1980) is known to be the first person introduced the idea of Responsible Tourism as a way-out strategy to the Alpine plateaus of Switzerland where tourism has had significant negative impacts on the planet and people.  The term Responsible Tourism is reported to be used by Smith in a seminar by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) on “Alternative” Tourism in Tamanrasset in Algeria in 1990. The term ‘alternative tourism’ was best replaced by ‘responsible tourism’ as the latter phrase was less ambiguous (Smith, 1992 and Stanford, 2000). Harrison and Husbands, (1996) stated that “the basic point of responsible tourism is that tourism itself can be practiced in ways that minimize and mitigate it’s obvious disbenefits. Product development, policy, planning, and marketing can all be instituted in ways to ensure that tourists, host populations and investors reap the long-term benefits of a vibrant and healthy industry”. Responsible Tourism initiatives of Kerala consider it as a “tourism management strategy embracing planning, product development, management, and marketing to bring about positive economic, social, cultural, and environmental impacts. For tourism operators, it is about providing more rewarding holiday experiences for guests whilst enabling local communities to enjoy a better quality of life and conserving the natural environment. South Africa’s Tourism White Paper (1996) defined Responsible Tourism as enabling local communities to enjoy a better quality of life through increased socio-economic benefits and improved natural resource management (Spenceley, et al., 2002). 

 

Responsible Business: Responsible Tourism practices in tourism industry is referred here as Responsible Business.  It is defined as “a company acting as a conscientious citizen, conducting its affairs accountably in the public eye, making decisions that do not harm, and reaping fair profits that do not come at an irreparable cost to nature, society, or government” (RB1, 2010).  Heemskerk (2012) cited Visser, et al., (2007) defining it as ‘the formal and informal ways in which business, next to making a profit, consistently creates shared value in society through economic development, good governance, stakeholder responsiveness and environmental improvement of the developing countries in which they operate, through their business model and activities, while remaining sensitive to prevailing religious, historical and cultural contexts’. Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India in its policy documents for corporations defined Responsible Business as, “the commitment of an enterprise to operating in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner while balancing the interests of diverse stakeholders” (MCA, 2011).

 

INDICATOR FRAMEWORK:

The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC, 2008), Responsible Tourism Guidelines for South Africa (2008), Cape Town Declaration (2009), and Kerala Responsible Tourism Certification (RTC) (Kerala Tourism, 2011) give importance for economic, socio-cultural, and environmental responsibilities of business.  Being an industry and sector specific criteria, PATA (2011), ISO, Eco Certification Scheme (2009), and STEPS (2008) incorporated economic, social, cultural and environmental indicators. A White Paper on Tourism and the National Responsible Tourism Guidelines, South Africa, (1996) provide economic, social, environmental and management principles for business practices. 

 

The World Tourism Organization (2004) emphasizes on triple bottom line dimensions. Dodds and Joppe, (2005) mentions about general policies and planning, employee/ HR principles, supply chain/procurement procedures, community engagement and benefit, health and safety, environmental reporting/management system, accessibility  and contribution for local development. The GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) framework is a widely recognized framework for reporting on an organization’s economic, social performance, and environmental consideration indicators like economic, environmental, social, human rights and society performance indicators (GRI, 2011). 

 

General policies of the OECD (OECD, 2008), suggests contribute to economic, social and environmental progress; compliance with all laws, uphold good corporate governance principles, develop and apply effective self-regulatory practices and management systems, respect the human rights, encourage local capacity building, encourage human capital formation, promote employee awareness, avoid discrimination and abstain from any improper involvement in local political activities. 

 

CSR Perspective: Martíneza, et al., (2013) developed a scale measuring Corporate Social Responsibility in hospitality industry consisting Economy-Society, Economy-Environment, and Society-Environment dimensions. According to Carroll (1979), CSR includes society’s economic, ethical, legal and philanthropic or voluntary expectations of organizations at a given point in time.  Further he suggested 4 categories or dimensions of CSR; philanthropy, ethical, legal and economic. CSR guidelines suggested by Gupta (2007) incorporated elements: community developmental, corporate giving, gender equality, labor standards, human capital, health,

environmental management, energy conservation, water conservation, and disclosure. Tilakasiri (2012) included areas like environmental relations, community relations, employee relations, education, customers, and health while measuring the corporate social responsibility performance of companies in Sri Lanka. Vazquez (2001) included social, economic and environmental dimensions of CSR in the validation of a measurement scale for the relationship between the orientation to corporate social responsibility and other business strategic variables.  A CSR scale development study in Iran selected employees, product, social program, natural environment, law and regulations; and public participation as variables (Hanzaee and Rahpeima, 2013).

 

The European Commission’s (2001) definition of CSR integrates social and environmental concerns in the business and relationships with stakeholders—including shareholders, NGOs, suppliers, customers, and authorities.  CSR ratings criteria of Karmayog, Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) - Sustainability Index (BSE SEN) and Dow Jones sustainability index, provide industry specific economic, environmental and social dimensions.

 

The Responsible Business Framework: The Responsible Business Initiative (RBI) framework by the Caux Round Table (CRT) Principles for Responsible Business set forth ethical norms for acceptable businesses behavior.  It consists of dimensions like governance and management, principles and values, compliance and disclosure, stakeholder involvement and social investment, and financial investment and capitalization (RB1, 2010).

 

The present proposal is based on the RBI framework and the triple bottom-line concept of tourism (RTC, 2011 and GSTC, 2008). In compliance and disclosure, RBI states about TBL responsibility of organizations that includes social, environmental and economic responsibility of business along with responsibility towards stakeholders. The dimension financial viability and capitalization is in resemblance with the dimension economic responsibility, especially in the tourism context.  Hence, these were categorized into social responsiveness, environmental performance and economic responsibility.  Against this background, following dimensions and its thematic areas (in brackets) have been identified as the core variables of Responsible Business in the context of Responsible Tourism (RT):

 

 

DIMENSIONS/SUB- DIMENSIONS	OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS	The overall sustainable development practices of a business in their functional, socio cultural, economic, and environmental roles to contribute for the development of employees, local community, other stakeholders, and society at large.
GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT	It is the regulating influence applied by the organization to their own affairs to control, regulate, and exercise influence to maintain good order and to adhere to predetermined standards of behavior.
Transparency and Accountability	It is the openness and the responsibility of the organizations to disclose legal compliances; and to accepting responsibility for decisions and policies affecting business by being answerable for the consequences of the actions.
Responsible Management	It is the commitment of an organization to comply with responsible management guidelines and its effort, to ensure effectiveness in business operations
Employee Welfare	Employee welfare is the organizations’ commitment to provide basic and legal/statutory requirements for employees
Human Resource Development	It is the efforts of business to develop skills, knowledge and attitude of human resources in their organizations
SOCIAL RESPONSIVENESS	Social responsiveness is when a firm or organization engages in social actions in response to some popular social needs
Policy against Discrimination and Exploitation	It is the policy against the practice of treating somebody in an organization less fairly than others and to prevent situations in which somebody treats somebody else in an unfair way
Community Development	Community Development is the firms’ activities to build stronger and more resilient local communities
Stakeholder Engagement	It is the willingness of the organizations to involve and to participate, internal and external stakeholders in their activities.
Promotion of Art and Culture	It is the organizations’ contribution towards conservation of natural and cultural heritage and for the promotion of native art forms
PRODUCT AND CUSTOMER FOCUS	Is the strong ethical commitment to offer quality product and to deliver what it promises to customers.
Customer Satisfaction	Customer Satisfaction is the Organizations endeavors to care, serve, satisfy and value customers
Responsible Marketing	Responsible Marketing dictates that all promotional efforts are provided an honest representation of what services the business provides and ensures that it addresses local concerns
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE	It is the organizations’ performance in maintaining the natural environment and minimizing negative environmental impacts
Resource Conservation	Resource Conservation is the measures adapted by the company to conserve water, energy and other natural resources
Waste Management	Waste Management is an effective and working waste management mechanism with quantitative goals to minimize waste
ECONOMIC RESPONSIBILITY	It is the efforts of the company to contributing towards the economic benefit to the local community including employment and skill development
Local Employment and Skill Development	It is the organizations’ commitment to provide employment to local residents and the willingness to improving the skills of people
Local Enterprise Development	It is the enterprises’ efforts to offer the means for local small entrepreneurs to develop and sell sustainable products that are based on the area’s nature, history, and culture

 

 

METHODOLOGY:

This study was undertaken to develop a context based self-reporting measure of Responsible Business for tourism hospitality accommodation units. In order to generate most suitable items which, reflect the variables of the construct ‘Responsible Business’, and its further refinement, following steps were followed (Khalid, 2004):

 

Step I Expert Survey:

The first step in the development of the indicator framework was the generation of indicators of “Responsible Business”. Experts from (a) Academics, (b) Tourism Professionals, and (c) PR actioners, and literature were considered for item generation. Seven experts having at least twenty years of experience from the above categories were selected in this stage. In order to collect indicators from the mentioned groups, an open-ended questionnaire was distributed which contained the definition of the construct and its five dimensions along with a brief on the back ground of the study. Respondents were asked to “list at least five indicators/description for each dimensions’. They were also provided with a few examples of indicators.  Further, a detailed literature review and subsequent content analysis were performed to identify and refine key indicators of the five dimensions of Responsible Business.

 

Step II Elimination of Items:

Items of each (five) dimension which were generated through expert survey and literature review were then pooled and removed all the redundant indicators.  Based on the initial review, a primary list of indicators was prepared.

 

Step III Relevancy Test:

The next step was to identify the relevance of each indicator.  All the indicators were listed and again distributed among the experts. They were asked to rate these items on the basis of its relevance, applicability, and extent of practice in the industry.  It used a five-point Likert scale consist of ‘not at all relevant’, ‘irrelevant’, ‘slightly relevant’, ‘relevant’, and ‘very relevant’. Collected data then analyzed. All the items below the threshold level of 3.5 (out of 5) were removed (Schwartz, 2006).

 

Step IV Face Validity Test:

This step was to verify the conceptual classification of each dimension.  A Performa was prepared which included definitions of Responsible Business and its dimensions along with the list of indicators.  The indicators were listed in a random manner.  It was then distributed among fifteen researchers and asked them to “categorize the items to their relevant dimensions, keeping in view the definition of five dimensions”.  Collected data were analyzed. Further, it either revised or removed - the items below a threshold of 4 (out of 5) which reflects lack of conformity and clarity (Schwartz, 2006).

 

Step V Content Validity Test:

The fifth step was aimed at the selection of most representative items for each dimension.  A panel of experts were provided with the definition of the construct and its dimensions along with corresponding items.  They were requested to choose the most representative items for each dimension keeping in view of the respective definition by marking any of the anchors from not at all relevant to very relevant.  All the items having threshold less than 4 (out of 5) were removed and a final list was prepared.  This was to prove the face validity between the specific dimensions and their component items.

 

These selected items were converted into statements with the help of experts.  Finally, a questionnaire containing 56 items with five response categories (a) Disagree, (b) Slightly Agree (c) Agree (d) Strongly Agree (e) Very Strongly Agree was prepared.  As this instrument is on responsible business practices and to be measured through a self-reporting mechanism; the anchors selected assume existence of a minimum level of responsibility in order to minimize extrapolation.

 

Step VI Pilot Study:

Finally, a pilot study was conducted in 30 classified hotels in Kerala to test the consistency of scale items followed by the main study (Annexure 1).

 

RESULTS:

During the indicator generation process, a total of 163 items were finalized. It is then deducted to 83 after discussion with experts where they considered objectivity and the extent of practice in the industry. Further, 16 more items were deleted after the relevancy test. All the items except one in the dimension Responsible Marketing were retained after the phase validity test. It was observed during the pilot test that 12 items from different dimensions are skewed and the same had to be removed after discussion with experts. Thus, the final questionnaire consists of 56 items were finalized for the main study.

 

THEORETICAL AND MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS:

Responsible Tourism is emerging as an innovative concept in the tourism sector. When different agencies put vigorous strategies to promote and brand destinations, responsible tourism has an immense scope for destination marketing. Being a marketing tool, the novel idea can be effectively promoted in the global market. Beyond, Responsible Tourism offers a new paradigm to maintain sustainable management, of destinations. The potential of Responsible tourism to strike a balance between development and sustainability is the core reason behind the interest among practitioners and academicians. When RT contributes for the Quality of Life of local community, it significantly upheld destination competitiveness, clean image and destination quality.

 

When organizations everywhere partnering for sustainable development, policy level interventions and academic contributions certainly add value to the sustainability movement. The proposed indicator frame work for Responsible Tourism is a guiding principle for policy makers and practitioners in the tourism industry. As the methodology adopted for developing this tool considered views of government officials, policy makers, practitioners, academicians and other key stakeholder of tourism and followed a meticulous vetting process, the same can be adopted for further academic and policy level discussions. 

 

The scope of branding and benchmarking destinations and industry establishments on the basis of responsible tourism criteria can promote sustainable practices in long run. Agencies and government bodies can consider providing subsidies based on the performance in responsible tourism domains.   Encouraging responsible tourism practices in destinations has the potential to reduce industry-community conflicts thereby creating harmonious relation between business establishments and local community. Being an index of destination quality, quality of life of community in destinations has to be considered. Satisfied community in the destination can positively influence the visitors which in turn can induce re-visit intentions. Constructive interventions of government and industry can throw light into this matter. The discussed indicator frame work is a great help to framing such polices. 

 

CONCLUSION:

UNWTO is celebrating this year as the international year of sustainable tourism for development. It specifically aims at inclusive and sustainable economic growth; social inclusiveness, employment and poverty reduction; resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change; cultural values, diversity and heritage, and mutual understanding, peace and security. Being an ideal strategy for tourism development, Responsible Tourism is becoming an agenda at the fore. It envisages a triple bottom line concept rooted in a participatory approach. An ideal mix of community at the centre, industry at the leading role and government at the facilitating side can help to achieve sustainable tourism development and responsible management of destination. The proposed indicator framework of Responsible Tourism paves way for sustainable destination management. As a key benefactor of tourism, it emphasis on the instrumental role of industry and urges to consider society, environment and the development of local economy. The tool will be of a significant guideline for industry, government and academician to practice and assess responsible business practices in the tourism industry.

 

REFERENCE:

1.     ADB. (2003). Unleashing Economic Growth; Region-Based Urban Development Strategy For Nepal. Asian Development Bank (ADB).

2.     Akpan, E. I., and Obang, C. E. (2012). Tourism: A Strategy for Sustainable Economic Development in Cross River State, Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Social Science , 3 (5), 124-129.

3.     AMA. (2006). The Ethical Enterprise. American Management Association/Human Resource Institute.

4.     AMA and HRI . (2005). Business Ethics Survey.

5.     Breugel, v. L. (2013). Community-based tourism: Local participation and perceived impacts; A comparative study between two communities in Thailand. Master Thesis, Faculty of Social Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen.

6.     Buckley, R., Pickering, C., and Weaver, D. (2003). Nature-based tourism, environment and land management. Cambridge: CABI Publishing.

7.     Butler, R. W. (2006). The Concept of a Tourist Area Life Cycle of Evolution: Implications for Management of Resources. In The Tourism Area Life Cycle: Applications and Modifications. Clevedon: Channel View Publications.

8.     Carroll, A. B. (1979). A Three Dimensional Conceptual Model of Corporate Social Performance. Academy of Management Review, 4 (4), 497–505.

9.     Cavus, S., and Tanrisevdi, A. (2003). Residents' attitudes toward tourism development: A case study in Kusadasi, Turkey. Tourism Analysis , 259-269.

10.  DEAT. (2012). Responsible Tourism Guideliness. Republic of South Africa: Department for Environmental Affairs and Tourism,.

11.  DEAT. (2002). National Responsible Tourism Development Guidelines for South Africa. Department Of Environmental Affairs And Tourism (Deat), South Africa.

12.  DEAT. (1996). A White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism . South Africa: Department of Environment and Tourism.

13.  Dodds, R., and Joppe, M. (2005). CSR in the tourism industry? the status of and potential for certification, codes of conduct and guidelines, study prepared for the CSR practice. Study prepared for the CSR Practice Foreign Investment Advisory Service Investment Climate Department .

14.  Eja, E. I., Judith, E., Ewa, E., and Ndomah. (2011). The Role of Private Sector Participation in Sustainable Tourism Development in Cross River State, Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 2 (2), 153-160.

15.  Hall, J., and Vredenburg, H. (2004). Sustainable development innovation and competitive advantage: implications for business, policy and management education. Corporate Sustainability: Governance, Innovation Strategy, Development and Methods , 129-140.

16.  Harrison, L. C., and Husbands, W. (1996). Practicing responsible tourism: International case studies in tourism planning, policy and development. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

17.  Heemskerk, L. (2012). How Responsible Is Responsible Business? An analysis of the drivers and effects of the responsible business practices of Dutch enterprises operational in Kenyan agribusiness. University Utrecht, Geography Department: Master Thesis International Development Studies.

18.  Goodwin, H. (2006). Community-based tourism failing to deliver?. London: ID 21 Insight 62.: Department for International Development.

19.  GRI. (2011). Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. Amsterdam: Global Reporting Initiative.

20.  (GSTC-D). (2013). Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for Destinations (GSTC-D). Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for Destinations ver. 1.0 – 1 November 2013.

21.  Gupta, A. D. (2007). Social responsibility in India towards global compact approach. International Journal of Social Economics, 34 (9), 637-663.

22.  Jung, E. K., and Lori, P.-G. (2011). Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics in the Tourism Industry: Using a Survey of Managers. The Business Review, 18 (2).

23.  Kerala Tourism (2012). Responsible Tourism Criteria (RTC). Thiruvananthapuram: Department of Tourism.

24.  Kerala Tourism. (2012). Kerala Tourism Policy. Thiruvananthapuram: Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.

25.  Kerala Tourism. (2007). Better Together; Workshop on Responsible Tourism. Thiruvananthapuram: Department of Tourism, Governemnt of Kerala.

26.  Kerala Tourism. (2007). Guidelines for implementing Responsible Tourism. Thiruvananthapuram: Department of Tourism, Governemnt of Kerala.

27.  Khalid, S. (2004). Development and Validation of the Index of Personal Growth (IPG) and the familial and Dispositional predictors of personal growth. Ph.D. Thesis .

28.  Kim, K. (2002). The Effects o f Tourism Impacts on Quality o f Life o f the Residents in the Community. PhD Thesis. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

29.  Krippendorf, J. (1982). Toward new tourism policy, the importance of environmental and socio-cultural factors. Tourism Management , 135-148.

30.  Liu, J. C., and Var, T. (1986). Resident attitudes toward tourism impacts in Hawaii. Annals of Tourism research , 193-214.

31.  Martínez, P., Pérez, A., and Bosque, R. d. (2013). Measuring Corporate Social Responsibility In Tourism: Development and Validation of an Efficient Measurement Scale in The Hospitality Industry. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing , 365–385.

32.  Malloy, D. C., and Fennell, D. A. (1998). Ecotourism and Ethics: Moral Development and Organizational Cultures. Journal of Travel Research , 47-56.

33.  MCA. (2011). The National Voluntary Guidelines on Socio-Economic and Environmental Responsibilities of Business. New Delhi: Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of Indai.

34.  Mitchell, J., and Muckosy, P. (2008). A misguided quest: Community-based tourism in Latin America. London: Overseas Development Institute.

35.  Newstrom, John, W., and Ruch, A. W. (1975). ‘The Ethics of Management and the Management of Ethics. MSU, Business Topics (Winter) , 23-97.

36.  OECD. (2008). OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. PARIS: OECD.

37.  Paul, V. M., and Rupesh, K. K. (2013). Responsible Tourism: a Strategy for Grass root level Empowerment. Innovative Issues and Approaches in Social Sciences (IIAAS), 7 (1), 54-71.

38.  Pleumarom, A. (2012). Responsible Tourism: Concepts, Theory and Practice. (L. David, Ed.) London, UK: CAB International.

39.  Pradhan, S., and Ranjan, A. (2010). Corporate Social Responsibility in Rural Development Sector: Evidences From India. School of Doctoral Studies (European Union) Journal .

40.  RB1. (2010). Responsible Business Guide: A Toolkit for Winning Companies. Responsible Business Initiative.

41.  Richins, H., and Pearce, P. (2000). Influences on tourism development decision making: Coastal local government areas in Eastern Australia. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 8 (3), 207–231.

42.  Ryan, R., and Deci, E. (2001). On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudemonic well-being. In S. Fiske, Annual review of psychology. Paolo Alto, California: Annual Reviews Inc.

43.  Schwartz, Mark, S., Weber, and James. (2006). A Business Ethics National Index (BENI): Measuring Business Ethics Activity Around the World. Business and Society, 45 (3), 382-405.

44.  Shafer, W. E., Fukukawa, K., and Lee, G. M. (2006). Values and the Perceived Importance of Ethics and Social Responsibility: The U.S. versus China. Journal of Business Ethics, 70, 265-284.

45.  Sharply, R., and Telfer, D. J. (2002). Tourism and Development: Concepts and Issues. Channel View Publication.

46.  Smith, R. A. (1992). Beach resort evolution: Implications for planning. Annals of Tourism Research , 304-322.

47.  Stanford, D. (2000). A review of the education of tourists to achieve sustainable tourism. Lancaster: Lancaster University.

48.  Vitell, S.J. and Hidalgo, E.R. J Bus Ethics (2006) 64: 31. doi:10.1007/s10551-005-4664-5

49.  Tearfund. (2002). Worlds Apart: A call to responsible global tourism. UK: Tearfund.

50.  Telfer, D. J., and Wall, G. (2000). Strengthening backward economic linkages: local food purchasing by three Indonesian hotels. Tourism Geographies, 2 (4), 421-447

51.  K.K. Tilak Siri, Corporate social responsibility and company performance: evidence from Sri Lanka, doctoral thesis, Victoria University, Melbourne, 2012

52.  Torres, R. (2003). Linkages between tourism and agriculture in Mexico. Annals of Tourism Research, 30 (3), 546-566.

53.  Vazquez, J. J. (2001). Socio-Economic And Ecological Effects Of Tourism: A Structural Analysis Of The Lake George Watershed Region. Troy,New York: Bell and Howell Information and Learning Company, Ph. D Thesis at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

54.  Wheeler, M. (1993). Tourism Marketers in Local Government. The Annals of Tourism Research , 354-356.

55.  Wheeler, M. (1991). Tourism Marketers in Local Government: Critical Issues and Ethical Components. Guildford: University of Surrey (PhD Thesis).

56.  World Bank. (2003). Public Policy for Corporate Social Responsibility. World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). World Bank Institute.

 

 

Annexure 1

(Hint: 1- Not Relevant, 2- Slightly Relevant, 3- Relevant 4- Very Relevant and 5- Extremely Relevant)

 

 

 

 

Accepted on 29.08.2017          © A&V Publications all right reserved