Exploring the Impact of Environmental Regulations on Restaurant Performance in Thailand

Abstract

This study endeavors to investigate the impact of public policy, specifically environmental regulations, on the operational performance of the restaurant industry in Thailand. Through a robust research methodology, questionnaires were administered to employees across the Thai restaurant sector, yielding a sample size of 322 respondents for comprehensive descriptive and regression analyses. Assessment of environmental regulation encompassed various dimensions, including the regulative, normative, and cognitive environments, alongside an evaluation of overall commitment to environmental sustainability. Specific policies targeting biodiversity preservation, energy conservation, and waste management were also scrutinized. Concurrently, business performance metrics such as market share, growth trajectory, return on investment, employee efficiency, and overall organizational performance were meticulously examined. The study's findings elucidated significant and predominantly discernible impacts of diverse environmental regulation factors on the designated business performance indicators. Particularly noteworthy were the intricate relationships observed between environmental sustainability policies—especially those pertaining to biodiversity conservation, energy efficiency, and waste reduction—and performance outcomes within the restaurant industry. However, the study delineated certain limitations that warrant acknowledgment. Chiefly, it primarily concentrated on primary business performance metrics and their associations with key environmental regulation factors extrapolated from the questionnaire responses. Moreover, the study's focus was predominantly restricted to the hotel industry, thereby overlooking potential insights from other sectors within the broader economic landscape. Additionally, the absence of cross-sectional comparisons among different hotel types, alongside the omission of demographic considerations, presents further avenues for exploration. Future research endeavors hold promise in mitigating these limitations and fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. By addressing these gaps, subsequent studies can significantly augment both theoretical frameworks and empirical insights, thereby advancing scholarly discourse in this domain. Practically, the implications of this study resonate deeply with stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Insights gleaned from this research offer invaluable guidance to managers, proprietors, and policymakers within government agencies and the restaurant industry. By comprehensively grasping the ramifications of public policies, particularly environmental regulations, on business performance, stakeholders can better navigate the intricacies of regulatory compliance and strategic decision-making processes.