Do Business Environmental Factors Moderate the Relationship between Sustainable Technology and Performance? Insights from 4 and 5 Star-Rated Hotels in Kenya
Main Article Content
Keywords
Business environmental factors, Sustainable technology, Hotel Performance, 4 and 5 Star-Rated Hotels, Kenya
Abstract
Understanding the external environmental conditions under which sustainable technology (ST) contributes to organisational performance remains a key challenge in the hospitality industry. Although prior research has examined business environmental factors (BEF) as drivers of technology adoption, there is limited evidence about whether the factors affect the relationship between ST and hotel performance, particularly in developing-country hospitality contexts. Anchored in the Technology–Organisation–Environment (TOE) framework, this study evaluates whether BEF moderate the relationship between ST and performance of 4 and 5 star-rated hotels in Kenya. A census approach was used to collect data through a structured online questionnaire from 151 hotel general managers. Hayes’ PROCESS Model 1 was employed to test the moderating effect. The results indicated that ST positively and significantly predicts performance (B=0.389, p<0.001) with the model explaining 46% of the variance, while BEF were not a significant direct predictor of hotel performance (B=0.0745, t=1.6397, p=0.1032). Importantly, BEF had a negative but non-significant moderating effect on the ST–performance relationship (B=-0.039, t=-0.741, ΔR²=0.002, p=0.459). The findings demonstrate that BEF do not shape the strength and direction of ST’s effects on performance outcomes. The study enriches the TOE framework by demonstrating that its environmental context factors do not operate as moderators during the post-adoption phase of ST implementation. The findings inform managerial decisions and policy initiatives aimed at facilitating the complex technology and performance interplay. The study recommends that hotels place less emphasis on BEFs as determinants of performance and more as antecedents for identifying relevant ST applications. Policymakers should note that while BEF may accelerate ST integration, they do not amplify or constrain performance returns.
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References
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Pateli, A., Mylonas, N., & Spyrou, A. (2020). Organisational adoption of social media in the hospitality industry: An integrated approach based on DIT and TOE frameworks. Sustainability, 12(17), 7132. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177132
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Published
Sep 2, 2026
Article Details
How to Cite
Kamwea , J. M., Nthiga, R. W., & Chumo, P. K. (2026). Do Business Environmental Factors Moderate the Relationship between Sustainable Technology and Performance? Insights from 4 and 5 Star-Rated Hotels in Kenya. Journal of Frontiers in Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(3), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.69897/jofhscs.v4i3.397
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Author Biographies
James M. Kamwea , Department of Hotel and Hospitality Management, School of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management, Moi University, P.O. Box 3900-30100 Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Hotel and Hospitality Management, School of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management, Moi University, P.O. Box 3900-30100 Eldoret, Kenya
Rita Wairimu Nthiga, Department of Hotel and Hospitality Management, School of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management, Moi University, P.O. Box 3900-30100 Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Hotel and Hospitality Management, School of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management, Moi University, P.O. Box 3900-30100 Eldoret, Kenya
Philip Kiyeng Chumo, Department of Management Science, School of Business and Economics, Moi University, P.O. Box 3900-30100 Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Management Science, School of Business and Economics, Moi University, P.O. Box 3900-30100 Eldoret, Kenya