This paper is about the position of workforce and employment considerations within the sustainable tourism narrative. The paper aims to address the relative neglect of this area within the discourse of sustainable tourism and highlights references to the workforce within the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The discussion follows the emerging field of sustainable human resource management and the contribution that this can make to meeting both the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to enhancing the recognition of workforce and employment issues within the related debate in tourism. The body of the paper highlights examples of key dimensions of work and employment across varied tourism contexts, where sustainability is of increasing consequence and significance. The paper concludes by drawing together the implications of these “mini-cases” and locating them within key principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This study investigates the sway of stakeholder integration and green investment on Environmental Sustainability Practices (ESP), as well as the moderating role of Green Technology Adoption (GTA) in Bangladesh Textile small and medium enterprises (SMEs). A questionnaire has been used to collect data from 140 textile SMEs and analysed using the quantitative survey method. The findings have revealed that Buyer Pressure (BP), Governmental regulations (GR), and Green Investment (GI) have significant effects on ESP, but not Supplier pressure (SP). The study has also evidenced the insignificant moderating influence of GTA on the relationships among BP, GR, GI, except SP. This study makes a conceptual contribution by highlighting the relationships among these constructs and confirming the lack of stakeholder integration. The findings of the research extend the understanding and comprehensiveness of Stakeholder theory (ST) and Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) theory by providing empirical insights from the firm level. Consequently, the outcomes promote environmental practices and offer food for thought for policymakers, compliance managers, entrepreneurs, and relevant stakeholders.

This paper reviews the position of entrepreneurial competency practices for sustainability within the learning and development (L&D) narrative over the last three decades. In alignment with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, gaps within the context of entrepreneurial learning theories, learning delivery, and roles of interlocutors are addressed. The discourse unfolds the meaning and measurement attributes of entrepreneurial competencies, advocating for developing an inclusive framework within the entrepreneurial L&D space. Extant literature posits exclusivity in learning theories, learning delivery, and role of interlocutors as approaches to achieving Entrepreneurial Competencies (EC); however, scarcity in research adapting a dynamic and inclusive framework for amalgamating learning theories, learning delivery, and roles of interlocutors can impact entrepreneurial competency sustainability. This paper analyzes EC to achieve L&D sustainability, employing a mixed-method content analysis to develop a dynamic and inclusive framework encompassing learning theories, learning delivery, and roles of interlocutors. The paper concludes by establishing an Inclusive Framework of Entrepreneurial Competency Practices (IFECP) that bridges learning and development gaps, namely learning theories, learning delivery, and roles of interlocutors. The IFECP is aimed at assisting interlocutors and learners from nascent to mastery stages in ECs to embody the core values of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This study aims to underscore the pivotal role of cultural attributes in shaping destination image and examines their implications for sustainable tourism. Through a comprehensive review of relevant literature, the study proposes a conceptual framework to delve into the multifaceted effects of cultural attributes on destination image formation and offers strategies and guidelines for fostering sustainable tourism practices. The findings of the study underscore the significance of cultural attributes in bolstering the competitiveness of destination images in sustainable tourism, while also analyzing their interconnectedness across social, economic, and environmental dimensions. The societal impact of this study lies in highlighting the pivotal role of cultural attributes in shaping perceptions and allure associated with destination images, thereby furnishing a vital reference point for crafting and executing a targeted research agenda in urban tourism. Ultimately, this study furnishes a valuable theoretical framework and perspective conducive to the advancement of sustainable tourism endeavors.

Purpose – This study aims to assess the possibility of adapting evidence-based policies in the daily operations of tour operators in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia. This intervention is important, as on-site investigations reveal that operators are operating their businesses with little reference to the ecotourism policy guidelines. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopted a full qualitative approach. In-depth interviews were conducted on tour operators in Semporna, while text mining was used to elicit data from the Malaysian National Ecotourism Plan. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data from the primary sources. Findings – Gaps were evident between best practices guidelines from the National Ecotourism Plan and the day-to-day practices of tour operators in Semporna, Sabah. This was due to the limitations of the National Ecotourism Plan and the limitations of the operators in identifying and adhering to best practices; the impracticality of best practices in site-specific scenarios; and the b...