EVALUATING THE INFLUENCE OF ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN ZIMBABWE: A CASE STUDY OF
HOTEL CHAINS IN HARARE

EVALUATING THE INFLUENCE OF ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN ZIMBABWE: A CASE STUDY OF
HOTEL CHAINS IN HARARE

CATHRINE PAADA KWINJE

LLOYD CHINGWARO

TAFADZWA MOYO

PATIENCE MUTIZIRA

Despite the growing importance of sustainable practices in the tourism and hospitality sector,
the adoption of internationally recognized Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
remains notably low among hotels in the region. The purpose of this study was to investigate
the economic constraints affecting the implementation of EMS within hotel chains in Harare,
Zimbabwe. Through the use of a mixed-methods approach, qualitative content analysis was
performed on the websites of four predominant hotel chains, while quantitative data were
collected via a stratified random sampling technique involving 185 hotel employees using a
structured questionnaire. Findings indicated that none of the surveyed hotels hold international
EMS certificates, although local initiatives are implemented. Key economic challenges
identified included the high costs associated with eco-friendly technologies, economic
instability, and regulatory hurdles, which collectively impede the adoption of comprehensive
EMS practices. The analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between economic
constraints and EMS implementation, highlighting that operational challenges and economic
uncertainty are paramount barriers. Consequently, it was recommended that hotel operators
engaged in collaboration with policymakers and seek financial incentives to facilitate EMS
adoption. Further training programmes focused on enhancing sustainability knowledge are
essential to overcoming these constraints. This research contributes valuable insights to the
discourse on sustainable practices in Zimbabwe's hospitality industry, emphasizing the need
for strategic interventions to align economic viability with environmental stewardship

ZIBEM

2024