Sustainable Development Goals and Humanistic Management in Hospitality and Tourism: Systemic Approaches and Application-Oriented Perspectives Using the Example of Family Businesses

Abstract

So far, only a minor proportion of businesses – across all economic sectors – has a business model designed to meet the complex requirements of the UN 2030 Agenda. The transformation to a more sustainable economy for the benefit of people and the planet, let alone honouring the principles of Humanistic Management, remains a Herculean task. This article presents family-run companies from the hospitality and tourism industry that have succeeded in aligning their corporate structures, products, and operations with Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda, building the bridge to –and, in part, explicitly integrating –principles of Humanistic Management. A systemic approach serves as the conceptual-theoretical framework, providing a valuable basis for better understanding the role of individual companies in the complex overall system of the 2030 Agenda. Based on three case studies, presenting findings from expert interviews with selected managing directors or owners of family businesses, it becomes clear that this type of business is particularly well suited to successfully manage the multi-layered challenges of a transformation due to its inherent characteristics.