Português
This project aims to study the determinants of sustainability that impact business performance in Madeira’s hospitality sector. Not only are there a considerable number of decision-makers with different and conflicting values and preferences involved in this issue, but there is also a significant number of sustainability determinants to be considered. While this makes the integration of sustainability into business strategies and decisions more challenging, it is also true that this is an increasingly pressing issue for hospitality companies in Madeira. A better understanding of sustainability determinants and their interconnections will assist city planners and decision-makers in enhancing value creation through better-informed decisions. Simultaneously, this will contribute to advancing sustainability objectives.
The main challenge in developing this project is related to the difficulty of gathering panel members (in this case, experts in sustainable development in Madeira’s hospitality sector) in the same place at the same time. Although this is a matter to be taken seriously, given the research team’s experience and contacts in this area, we are confident that it will be a manageable challenge. Furthermore, despite such obstacles, the potential benefits of the combined application of cognitive mapping and MCDA in the sustainable development of Madeira’s hospitality sector, in terms of contributions to both theory and practice, are significant. To the best of our knowledge, this project represents the first attempt to identify key determinants (and the “missing links” between them) of sustainable development in the hospitality sector using cognitive mapping and MCDA. We anticipate practical implications for decision-makers aiming to increase the efficiency of their decisions in terms of sustainable development in this sector.
In order to construct our evaluation system, we anticipate the need for group sessions with between five to ten experts/decision makers, who will together work on its creation. In addition to allowing for the application of the methodologies presented, and thus contributing to advancing theory and practice in this area, we predict (on the basis of prior applications) that these sessions will also prove invaluable to the participants themselves, by providing them with a forum for discussion and understanding of the issue at hand, with a group of peers. The research team has ample experience in conducting such sessions, and already possesses some contacts within the hospitality community in Madeira.
After the completion of the panel meetings, an evaluation and analysis system of business performance in the context of the tourism sector in Madeira will be developed. The mapping process will be documented, and improvement proposals will be prepared for the analyzed companies.
By investigating sustainability determinants and developing a business performance evaluation system, this project emerges as a catalyzing force for significant transformations in the operations of hotel businesses in Madeira. This innovative approach has the potential not only to enhance efficiency but also to boost the sector’s competitiveness in the local and global markets. Indeed, a more enlightening approach may empower decision-makers to make more informed choices, guiding them in adopting business strategies aligned with sustainable practices. The resulting benefits are not confined to the businesses, extending tangibly to the community, consolidating a balance between economic development and environmental responsibility. Particularly noteworthy is the potential to generate employment opportunities in the implementation and management of sustainable practices, thereby contributing to the economic and social strengthening of the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
| Research Centre | Research Group | Role in Project | Begin Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRU-Iscte | Management Research Group | Consultant | 2023-11-27 | 2023-12-13 |
| Institution | Country | Role in Project | Begin Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universidade da Madeira (UMA) | Portugal | Leader | 2023-11-27 | 2023-12-13 |
| Name | Affiliation | Role in Project | Begin Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Alberto Freitas Ferreira | Professor Catedrático (DMOG); Integrated Researcher (BRU-Iscte); | Principal Researcher | 2023-11-27 | 2023-12-13 |
| Alexandra Milici | Assistente Convidada (DMOG); Research Assistant (BRU-Iscte); | Research Assistant | 2023-11-27 | 2023-12-13 |
| Reference/Code | Funding DOI | Funding Type | Funding Program | Funding Amount (Global) | Funding Amount (Local) | Begin Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UIDB/04470/2020 | -- | Contract | CiTUR-UMA - -- | 27000 | 12500 | 2023-11-27 | 2023-12-13 |
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With the objective to increase the research activity directed towards the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the possibility of associating scientific projects with the Sustainable Development Goals is now available in Ciência_Iscte. These are the Sustainable Development Goals identified for this project. For more detailed information on the Sustainable Development Goals, click here.
