This case study aims to provide practical and evidence-based recommendations primarily for hotels seeking to enhance their sustainability efforts by examining the strategies employed by leading Platinum LEED-certified properties. Building upon stakeholder theory and corporate sustainability, this case study offers a resolution to its fundamental problem/dilemma through real-world anecdotal evidence from practitioners of three different platinum-LEED-certified hotels and the authors’ related research. Amelia, a young, passionate general manager with a high concern for the environment, is trying to convince her non-supportive bosses to embrace sustainability wholeheartedly in the hotel where she serves as the general manager. As such, Amelia engages in her own research from relevant academic journals and industry publications and collects data by interviewing general managers from three leading platinum LEED-certified hotels in the United States of America. With the supporting evidence that Amelia gathers, she makes a strong case in favor of adopting sustainability-related initiatives. It is anticipated that students will appreciate the importance of LEED certifications and environmental-practice adoption in hotels by studying this case study. Although the case presented is hypothetical in nature, the data obtained is real and is meant to be useful for educators, students, and practitioners.
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