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Consumers are
Skeptical When Large Chains Promote Initiatives
Ithaca,
NY, August 4, 2011 –
When large restaurant companies implement sustainability policies,
customers
seem to react in a contrary way—and their evaluation of those companies
may
actually diminish. In a new study from the Cornell
Center for Hospitality Research (CHR), researchers Michael
Giebelhausen and
Helen Chun examine this contrary behavior to see how large companies
could gain
the sustainability credibility they deserve. The study, "Reversing
the Green Backlash: Why Large Hospitality Companies Should Welcome
'Credibly
Green' Competitors," is available at no charge from the CHR, http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/research/chr/pubs/reports/2011.html.
Assistance for the research study was provided by McDonald's USA, a CHR
senior
partner.in the Absence of These Small Competitors Noting consumers' skepticism regarding large chains' sustainability initiatives, Giebelhausen and Chun, both of whom are assistant professors at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, conducted two experiments that found that customers seem to give more credibility to the green activities of small companies. A key finding is that the presence of that smaller competitor seems to create a halo, and customers' evaluations of the large company's green initiatives are improved. "It turns out that the small company and the large company don't even have to be doing the same thing," said Chun. "When a small, credible competitor is initiating sustainable policies, a large company can likewise promote their own activities, even when they're different. Apparently, consumers have trouble believing that large companies are truly being green, even though we know that many chains are working hard on sustainability initiatives." Thanks to the support of the CHR partners listed below, all publications posted on the center's website are available free of charge, at www.chr.cornell.edu. About The Center for Hospitality Research A unit of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, The Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) sponsors research designed to improve practices in the hospitality industry. Under the lead of the center's 76 corporate affiliates, experienced scholars work closely with business executives to discover new insights into strategic, managerial and operating practices. The center also publishes the award-winning hospitality journal, the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly. To learn more about the center and its projects, visit www.chr.cornell.edu. Center Senior Partners: ASAE Foundation, Carlson Hotels, Hilton Worldwide, McDonald's USA, Philips Hospitality, SAS, STR, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, and TIG Global Center Partners: Davis & Gilbert LLP, Deloitte & Touche USA LLP, Denihan Hospitality Group, eCornell & Executive Education, Expedia, Inc., Forbes Travel Guide, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Fox Rothschild LLP, French Quarter Holdings, Inc., HVS, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group, Jumeirah Group, LRP Publications, Maritz, Marriott International, Inc., Marsh's Hospitality Practice, priceline.com, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Proskauer, Sabre Hospitality Solutions, Sathguru Management Consultants (P) Ltd., Schneider Electric, Thayer Lodging Group, Thompson Hotels, Travelport, and WATG Center Friends: 4Hoteliers.com • Berkshire Healthcare • Center for Advanced Retail Technology • Cruise Industry News • DK Shifflet & Associates • ehotelier.com • EyeforTravel • Gerencia de Hoteles & Restaurantes • Global Hospitality Resources • Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) • hospitalityInside.com • hospitalitynet.org • Hospitality Technology Magazine • HotelExecutive.com • International CHRIE • International Hotel Conference • International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) • iPerceptions • JDA Software Group, Inc. • J.D. Power and Associates • Lodging Hospitality • Lodging Magazine • LRA Worldwide, Inc. • Milestone Internet Marketing • MindFolio • Mindshare Technologies • PhoCusWright • PKF Hospitality Research • The Resort Trades • Resort and Recreation Magazine • RestaurantEdge.com • Shibata Publishing Co. • Synovate • The Lodging Conference • The Wall Street Journal • The TravelCom Network • Travel + Hospitality Group • UniFocus • USA Today • WageWatch, Inc. • WIWIH.COM • Wyndham Green |
Contact: The Cornell School Of Hotel Administration www.chr.cornell.edu/ 537 Statler Hall USA - Ithaca, NY 14853 Phone: 607-255-9780 Jane Henion 607.255.9780 [email protected] |