Corporate social responsibility and sustainable development in the Mediterranean: The case of the Spanish hotel industry in the Barcelona region

Abstract

This chapter describes corporate social responsibility practices of hotels in Barcelona region in an aim to understand business perspectives on sustainable development in Mediterranean. From this standpoint, a case study analysis is developed regarding the progress in the implementation of CSR (corporate social responsibility) practices leading to sustainable development. Current literature on CSR in Spanish hotel industry lacks a clear understanding of perspectives businesses have towards sustainability. Specifically, examining CSR practices of hotels in Barcelona region allows us to describe the progress and problems in the field. In general, findings point out to an environmentalist perspective which traditionally dominates CSR practices in Spain. The hotel industry in Spain is raising its environmental consciousness and some specific environmental initiatives are being implemented. By explaining the dynamics of hotel industry and environment relations in Barcelona region, this chapter suggests a unique structure in Mediterranean where environmental solutions are dominated in CSR practices. Present studies in Spain with regard to sustainable development are lacking business perspectives towards environmental initiatives. This chapter aim to fill this gap by examining the CSR practices of hotels based on an environmentalist evaluation of Barcelona region.