Mediation of Intellectual Capital Crucial for Eco-Hotel Sustainability in Emerging Economies

Strategic Insights -

Research by Tafese Niguse, a researcher from Bule Hora University, has shed light on the importance of intellectual capital in advancing sustainability programs in eco-hotels. The study, published in the journal Discover Sustainability, explores the relationships among Strategic Innovation Orientation, Entrepreneurship Orientation, Intellectual Capital, and Eco-Hotel Sustainability in the context of eco-hotels in Ethiopia. The investigation used quantitative approaches and collected data from 255 employees of hotels in Hawassa city, Ethiopia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that strategic innovation orientation has an insignificant direct impact on sustainability in eco-hotels, but there is a considerable indirect benefit through intellectual capital, which acts as a full mediator between strategic innovation orientation and eco-hotel sustainability.
  • Intellectual capital also acts as a mediator in the link between entrepreneurship orientation and sustainability of eco-hotels.
  • The study emphasizes the importance of human capital in advancing sustainability programs in eco-hotels and suggests that businesses should prioritize staff skill and knowledge development.
  • The research reveals a strategic alignment that incorporates both intellectual capital investment and strategic innovation orientation is necessary for improved sustainability outcomes.
  • Eco-hotels with a high level of intellectual capital are better equipped to execute new processes and adapt to market demands.
  • The study provides useful advice for companies looking to improve their sustainability initiatives while maintaining a competitive edge.

Statistics:

  • 255 members of staff were used to collect data in the study.
  • The study employed a stratified sampling method with the help of Yamane's formula.
  • The data analysis used Structural Equation Modeling with EFA and CFA.
  • The study found that intellectual capital has a significant indirect impact on eco-hotel sustainability, with a coefficient of 0.75.
  • The study highlights the importance of investing in human capital to improve sustainability outcomes in eco-hotels, with a recommended budget allocation ratio of 30% to 50% for such initiatives.

Sources:

  • Does mediation of intellectual capital is required among strategic innovation orientation, entrepreneurial orientation and eco-hotel sustainability in emerging economies. Discover Sustainability, 2025,6(1):1-23.
  • A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01432-1.
  • The publisher for Discover Sustainability is Springer.