Caty behaved unethically because she decided to continue using the fertilizer said to contain environmentally unfriendly components so as to maintain the status quo in terms of finances. She made the decision based on the view that her annual bonus would decrease should the resort adjust to use the expensive biodegradable fertiliser. This shows that she put her individual needs before those of the community.
The fact that the fertilizer has not been proven harmful as for now seems enough reason for her to continue using it even though human health may be at risk if it reaches the water table. Indeed, her decision may affect the image of the resort negatively because the local people will see the resort as prioritizing business instead of their health. The resort will be viewed as a type of establishment that is only profit oriented and has to make money regardless of who gets harmed. The fact that there were no laws restricting the resort from using the fertilizer does not mean that it is ethically right to continue using the non-biodegradable fertilizer.
A triple bottom line means actively managing and reporting on all the social, environmental and economic aspects of the performance of the company. Basically, a hospitality business is sustainable if it aims at maximizing its economic, social and environmental gains without compromising the needs of future generations.
The hospitality business should, as a part of its social responsibility and effort to attain environmental standards, support developmental projects within the community of its location. This may be done by supporting the locals’ initiatives like in building learning facilities.
Waste products from the hotels and the community should either be reused or recycled. The hospitality business should have measures in place to ensure that the waste products are reused or well disposed of in order to curb the impact of waste disposal to the environment.
The way of life of the people living in the community where the business is set in should be respected by the hoteliers. This is by structuring the business to be in line with the norms and values of the community, while things that have cultural significance to the people should be respected
Shareholders should be encouraged to invest in the environmentally friendly project like the use of biodegradable materials or investing in waste disposal and ensuring sustainable funds for such projects.
Suppliers should understand the supply chain’s frailty and should observe food codes and standards. This would enable them to predict and therefore act on that to ensure that the demand is met with the supply of the standardized supplies.
The Customers need to have an understanding of the connection between the economy, environment and products. The guests should also be enlightened on environment by informing them of the local community’s initiative.
The local people should be employed as staff where their qualifications meet the job requirements. They should also be made to be well aware of the environmental issues through training them on environmental policy, waste management and recycling.
Partnerships and industry associations with other related businesses in the hospitality sector, together with cross sector associations should be encouraged to ensure that good relations exist within and outside the industry.
The environmental aspect concerns itself with the business impact on the animal and the plant life, together with the land, air and water. It looks at the impact on the environment from all operations, facilities and finished products of a company. Generally, maximum productivity and efficient exploitation of all assets and resources are necessary in attaining this. Short and long term damage to the environment should be avoided and more diversity encouraged. Environmental cycle analysis should be done to ascertain that all the processes are gearing towards a green environment.
In the commercial dimension, profit maximization both internally and externally is essential. This may be achieved by installing the energy efficient environmental friendly gadgets which would lead to internal profits. Sustainable business policy geared towards developing the local economy through support and participation should be encouraged. This is done through locals’ employment and business associations.
The social dimension is concerned with the well being of all the stakeholders. It has to contribute to the local people lives through dealing with things like health, justice, education among others as well as encouraging such things as cultural diversity and training of the workers on the issues of sustainability.
The use of technology can ensure that a business venture has an advantage over its competitors. This may be through the installation of energy efficient lighting and heating devices in the hotels which would reduce the amount of power used thus lowering the cost. Installation of other cheaper and more environmentally friendly sources of power like solar and biogas power leads to cutting the overhead costs. The architectural features of a building may lead to rain water collection, maximum exploitation of solar power, day lighting and efficient sewage treatment.