DETERMINANTS OF WATER CONSUMPTION IN TOURISM LODGING SECTOR. THE CASE OF KAZAKHSTAN

Purpose – The main purpose of the paper is to identify, define and analyze the main variables that determine water consumption in the lodging industry, which usually accounts, on average, between the 6% and 10% of total operational costs. Design/Methodology/Approach – The research is based on a survey questionnaire distributed among lodging managers in summer 2016 in the Shchuchinsk-Burabay resort area (Kazakhstan). The regression model methodology has been used to determine the main drivers of water consumption in the tourism lodging facilities. Findings – The estimations obtained in the regression model reveal that the main determinants of water consumption are the total area of the lodging facility, the pool sizes, the type of accommodation (with a special attention to the sanatoriums sector) and the type of board offered. Our study also concludes that the implementation of water saving initiatives significantly reduces water consumption levels and constitutes an effective tool to minimize lodging water consumption. These results can be useful both for policy makers and accommodation managers to develop water management policies to guarantee water, both in quantity and quality, both for the resident population and for the tourism sector. Originality of research – The study extends the geographical scope of research in tourism-water nexus by focusing on the case of emerging tourist destination, such as Kazakhstan

Learning in the service environment: the influence of diversity climate

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how diversity climate in service organizations influence employee learning behavior. Additionally, the study examined the mediating effects of psychological safety and communication satisfaction between diversity climate and learning behavior. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 128 hotel and lodging managers by administering survey questionnaires. The dual mediational model was tested using the mediation test suggested by Preacher and Hayes (2008). Findings – Results indicated that when managers perceived a positive diversity climate they also reported high engagement in learning behavior. Additionally, the study found the mediating effects of psychological safety and communication satisfaction. Originality/value – The importance of learning behavior has been noted by researchers and practitioners because of its influence on service performance. Learning behavior is especially important in complex, error prone, and fast changing businesses like the services industry. This research contributes to the existing body of research by examining the influence of diversity climate on learning behavior, which has not been investigated empirically in the literature. The current research not only makes a significant contribution to the learning and diversity literature, but also informs practitioners how learning behavior can be increased and how diversity climate can be created in within service organizations, in particularly hospitality.