Title: A newly developed integrated environment-quality approach for the design of hotel services

Authors: Andrea Raggi, Luigia Petti

Addresses: Universita 'G. d'Annunzio', Department of Management, Statistical Technological and Environmental Sciences, Viale Pindaro, 42, 65127 Pescara, Italy. ' Universita 'G. d'Annunzio', Department of Management, Statistical Technological and Environmental Sciences, Viale Pindaro, 42, 65127 Pescara, Italy

Abstract: In the perspective of sustainability and industrial ecology, the need to dematerialise economies has become more important. As a consequence, the relative contribution of the service industries to the overall economic output is expected to increase. This entails a growing focus on service-related activities and their ability to meet consumer requirements and society|s needs. Among the service industries, one that has become the object of an increased consumer interest is tourism. In this research work, we investigate the main aspects concerning the applicability of existing or newly developed integrated design tools to the above-mentioned service industry, with particular focus on lodging services. In particular, the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) design tool is taken into account and its integration with life cycle-based instruments for environmental assessment is proposed and evaluated with the aim of improving the level of customer satisfaction and the compliance with environmental requirements in lodging services.

Keywords: tourism; quality function deployment; QFD; lodging services; industrial ecology; hotel services design; sustainability; sustainable development; environmental assessment; customer satisfaction; life cycle assessment; LCA.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2006.011132

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2006 Vol.3 No.3, pp.251 - 271

Published online: 17 Oct 2006 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article