Linking Network Relationships to Green Innovation Practices in Hotels

Under the absorptive capacity perspective, the current study developed a research model investigating the links between the quality of external relationships, absorptive capacity development, and green innovation practices among hotels in Southeast Asia. We argue that the strength of relationships with external stakeholders is a critical foundation for absorptive capacity development that, in turn, enhances green innovation practices in hotels. Survey data were collected from 431 three-star and above independent hotels in Vietnam to test the model using the structural equation modeling technique. The analysis results supported both the direct and indirect effects of potential absorptive capacity through realized absorptive capacity on hotels' green innovation practices, as we expected. The findings also supported our arguments about the importance of constructing strong supply chain relationships with suppliers and customers and those with other stakeholders, including local authorities, industry associations, forums, and research institutions/universities, in developing the potential absorptive capacity for green innovation practices. The study findings significantly contribute to our limited understanding of the relative roles of external network relationships and absorptive capacities as antecedents of green innovation practices among hotels in developing contexts.