COVID-19 Residual Effects: Sustainability Strength and Volatility for the Future

Authors

  • Dr. Noel Criscione-Naylor Stockton University
  • Jane Bokunewicz

Keywords:

sustainability, COVID-19, waste, hospitality, hotel, food

Abstract

The topic of sustainability, the use of resources and ability to achieve ecological balance, has become a widely researched topic within hospitality segments including events, food & beverage and hotel operations. The COVID-19 pandemic has created an extenuating impact on sustainability initiatives with long term risks on their survivability. Business requirements, such as additional sanitation protocols and food safety practices, as well as a shift in priorities to focus on financial recovery, may have long lasting implications for sustainability progress. The purpose of this industry commentary was to gain insight into the current state of sustainability strength in the “Resort Capital of the East Coast” one-year post COVID-19 and forecast volatility of sustainability initiatives as hospitality segments reopen and move more toward normal business operations. In the early days of the pandemic indicators demonstrated a shift in overall waste from commercial to residential yet the reduction in waste for commercial entities has not been in proportion to occupancy requirements with new safety protocols in place.  As hotels and restaurants reopened with increased use of disposables and heightened cleaning procedures, a notable increase in commercial trash production was found. Overall, operating during a time of pandemic has proven to be a financial burden and challenge for businesses.

Author Biography

  • Dr. Noel Criscione-Naylor , Stockton University

    Dr. Noel Criscione-Naylor is an Associate Professor in the Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies program at Stockton University. She earned her master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration with a specialization in Public Management from Rutgers University and Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from Rowan University. Her undergraduate degree is in Political Science. She is a multi-certified educational leader with over 12 years of Casino Gaming Management experience and recognized for measurable successes in customer service, productivity, and performance development. Dr. Criscione-Naylor is trained in Lean and Six Sigma and has successfully led over 40 kaizen projects across major gaming markets in North America including but not limited to Atlantic City, NJ; Chester, PA; Las Vegas, NV; Tunica, MS, and Chicago, IL focused on revenue development, workforce optimization, and service capability totaling over $100 million in costs savings during her executive leadership.

    Dr. Criscione-Naylor’s research interests include management, gender, and diversity. Her research has been published in a variety of outlets including International Hospitality Review, International Journal of Management Practice,International Journal of Qualitative Research in Services, Gender and ManagementJournal of Business DiversityManagement Teaching Review, and Cogent Education. She has presented at numerous peer-reviewed international, national, and regional conferences such as Academy of Management, ICHRIE, IMEX America, Eastern Academy of Management, Northeastern Association of Business, Economics and Technology, and Northeast Business and Economics Association to list a few. Dr. Criscione-Naylor is the conference chair for Hospitality and Crisis Management and Experiential Learning tracks for Eastern Academy of Management, the Casino Gaming Section Editor for the International Journal of Gaming Hospitality Tourism (IJGHT), and current sits on the North East North American Federation of ICHRIE Board of Directors. Dr. Criscione-Naylor teaches Event Design, Human Resource Management, Policy and Strategy, Continuous Service Improvement, Food and Beverage Management, Facilities Management, and Hotel Operations.  She teaches at both the undergraduate and MBA levels.

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Published

2021-10-15