Circular intentions, minimal actions: the psychology of doing less in hospitality - an integrative review
Files
(Published version)
Date
2025
Authors
Vaculcíkova, Z.
Ramkissoon, H.
Dey, S.K.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Acta Psychologica, 2025; 259(105267):1-19
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
Despite growing interest in sustainability, the adoption of circular economy (CE) practices in hospitality remains largely symbolic and limited to low-effort actions. This paper explores why hotels, despite expressing genuine interest and facing external pressures, often avoid deeper CE strategies. First, a systematic literature review and bibliometric mapping identify key behavioural, structural, social and market-related barriers that constrain CE action. These barriers shape managerial thinking and contribute to disengagement from ambitious practices. Building on this, an explanatory analysis draws on psychological mechanisms, particularly cognitive dissonance and moral licensing, to explain why external limitations become internally justified. This rationalisation process fosters a ‘So What?’ mindset, where minimal actions are viewed as sufficient in light of perceived barriers. As a result, the gap between sustainability intentions and behaviour and further action widens. The study helps us understand how hotel managers' beliefs and thinking patterns influence whether and how they apply CE principles.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
Copyright 2025 Crown. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Access Condition Notes: This is an open access article under the CC BY license