Institutional analysis of environmental management practices: Application to golf courses

Abstract

This paper describes an analytical study, using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique, of the environmental management practices employed by the golf courses of Andalusia (Spain). As the basis for our study, we have taken the principles of Institutional Theory. We make use of this theoretical framework to delimit the institutional setting of these organizations and, at the same time, to define the pressures exerted by this institutional setting towards the adoption of responsible environmental policies. In recent years the growth of golf-related tourism in Andalusia has been accompanied by the construction of numerous golf courses. As a consequence of this phenomenon, there has been a broad-based social debate on the impact of facilities of this type on the natural environment.