MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING LAC HONG UNIVERSITY

VO THI TAM

THE EFFECT OF CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY ON PERFORMANCE

OF TOURIST BUSINESSES IN VIETNAM SOUTH CENTRAL COAST

SUMMARY OF THESIS

Major: Business Administration

Code: 9340101

Dong Nai, 2021

The thesis was completed at Lac Hong University

Science Instructor: Ph.D Vo Tan Phong and Ph.D Mai Thi Anh Tuyet

Reviewer 1: .......................................................................................................................

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Reviewer 2: .......................................................................................................................

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The thesis will be presented to the school-level thesis evaluation board at:

At ........… time ........… day …...… month ……… year ........…

The thesis can be found at the library:

- Lac Hong University

- National Library

LIST OF PUBLISHED PAPERS

International Journal

1. Tam Vo Thi (2020). The Effects of Corporate Sustainability to the Employee

Engagement: Research on Tourism Enterprises in South Central Coast Vietnam.

International Journal of Science and Research, 9(6), 1570 – 1574.

2. Tam Vo Thi & Phong Vo Tan (2020). Factors Effecting Corporate Sustainability

in SMEs: The Case of Tourist Businesses in Vietnam South Central Coast. Journal of

Economic studies, 7(506), 45 – 56.

3. Tam Vo Thi & Phong Vo Tan (2020). Relationship between Corporate

Sustainability, Employee Commitment, Local Community Participation, and

Performance of Tourist Businesses: The Case in Vietnam South Central Coast.

International Journal of Science and Research, 9(8), 966 – 972.

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CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION RESEARCH THESIS

Reason to research

Consider the theoretical context

Corporate performance is a concept that has received a lot of attention in strategic

research. Along with that, the development of the concept of sustainability has led to a

change in strategic attitudes in businesses, whereby businesses need to reexamine their

business strategy model. In addition, corporate sustainability (CS) is widely used to refer

to an enterprise's approach to creating lasting value for stakeholders through the

implementation of the Business strategy focuses on economic, social and environmental

(Dyllick and Hockerts, 2002; Hahn et al, 2017; Ashrafi et al, 2019).

On the other hand, recent empirical studies have shown a positive effect of

corporate sustainability on corporate performance (Eccles et al., 2014; Tomšič et al.,

2015; Sy, 2016; El -Khalil and El-Kassar, 2018). Along with that, the stakeholder theory

shows that firms are not only accountable to its shareholders, but also consider the

interests of other stakeholders (Freeman, 2015). At the same time, activities for

corporate sustainability will promote the commitment and participation of stakeholders

to the business (Gao et al., 2016). This implies that corporate sustainability practices

influence attitudes and behaviors such as corporate commitment and participation.

A literature review shows that the majority of research on corporate sustainability

has been done in industries (Pedersen et al., 2018; Annunziata et al., 2018). At the same

time, literature review shows that tourism industry studies support that community

participation in tourism development contributes to sustainable tourism development

(Tosun and Jenkins, 1996; Tosun, 2000; Boiral et al., 2019).

In addition, although corporate social responsibility in general and corporate

sustainability in particular have been interested by researchers, especially since the

inception of the concept. Sustainable development, but so far, most researches on

corporate sustainability have been found in developed countries (Font et al, 2014;

Murray, 2017). At the same time, corporate sustainability to management as well as

practice shows a lack of knowledge of how two dimensions (conceptual and empirical)

can be integrated in corporate operations. Therefore, more in-depth analytical studies

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related to corporate sustainability are still needed. Also, corporate sustainability research

needs more to conceptually and empirically explore (Rodrigues and Franco, 2019).

Consider the practical context

So far, the tourism industry is considered one of the largest economic sectors in the

world. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the number of

international tourists in 2019 is estimated at nearly 1.5 billion, up 3.8% from 2018,

higher than the global economic growth (+3 %) (UNWTO, 2020). In 2019, Vietnam

welcomes over 18 million international visitors. The growth of international visitors to

Vietnam (+ 16.2%) was significantly higher than that of other countries in the region,

the total revenue from tourists reached 755 trillion VND, the direct contribution of

tourism reached 9.2 % Of GDP (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, 2020).

Accordingly, tourism development really becomes a spearhead economic sector,

creating a driving force for the development of other industries and fields, making an

important contribution to the formation of a modern economic structure.

The Vietnam South Central Coast is endowed with abundant and diverse natural

resources. With the advantages and potentials of the Vietnam South Central Coast, it is

very convenient for tourism development. However, tourist businesses operating in the

Vietnam South Central Coast are facing many difficulties and challenges. In fact, in

Vietnam, due to not seeing the important role as well as the benefits from the

implementation of sustainable strategies, many tourist businesses have failed to fulfill

their social and environmental responsibilities. school. These damages can be mentioned

as infringing workers' legitimate rights and interests, causing environmental pollution

and not complying with environmental regulations.

Along with that, in Vietnam, researches on corporate sustainability as well as a

standard definition of corporate sustainability have not been found. Most researches in

Vietnam focus on the topic of corporate social responsibility. Therefore, research on

corporate sustainability still has research gaps that need to be explored further,

especially in the context of developing and transforming countries like Vietnam.

Therefore, research on corporate sustainability in Vietnam, in the context of the

tourism industry, is a remarkable research approach because of the environmental and

social issues associated with tourism. Research on corporate sustainability and corporate

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performance in the current context is particularly meaningful and is an objective,

scientifically and practically urgent requirement to contribute to the common

development of Vietnam and the world.

Research gaps

Firstly, research on corporate sustainability in Vietnam is still very limited and is

a gap that needs to be studied to explore.

Second, the effect of corporate sustainability on corporate performance in the

context of developing and transforming countries like Vietnam has almost not been

studied. Therefore, it is necessary to have empirical studies to contribute to reinforcing

the theories.

Third, the effect of corporate sustainability on employee commitment and the

mediating role of employee commitment in the effect of corporate sustainability on

corporate performance is a research gap. Research needs to be done to contribute to

reinforcing stakeholder theory.

Fourth, the effect of corporate sustainability on investor commitment and the

mediating role of investor commitment in the effect of corporate sustainability on

corporate performance is a research gap. Research needs to be done to contribute to

reinforcing stakeholder theory.

Fifth, the effect of corporate sustainability on community participation and the

mediating role of community participation in the effect of corporate sustainability on

corporate performance is a research gap. Research needs to be done to contribute to

reinforcing stakeholder theory.

Finally, the practical context of the tourism industry in Vietnam is a gap that needs

to be studied.

Research objectives

Overall objectives

Identify and measure the effect of corporate sustainability on corporate

performance of tourist businesses in Vietnam South Central Coast and provide

governance implications.

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Specific objectives

- Identify and measure the effect of corporate sustainability on corporate

performance of tourist businesses in Vietnam South Central Coast;

- Explore the mediating role of employee commitment, investor commitment and

community participation;

- Tests the difference;

- Make governance implications.

Research question

- What is the effect of corporate sustainability on the performance of tourist

businesses in the Vietnam South Central Coast?;

- Whether or not the intermediary role of employee commitment, investor

commitment and community participation in the effect of corporate sustainability on the

performance of tourist businesses in the Vietnam South Central Coast?;

- Is there a difference between groups on the effect of corporate sustainability on

the performance of tourist businesses in the Vietnam South Central Coast?;

- What governance implications should be given to support tourist businesses in

Vietnam South Central Coast increase their corporate sustainability?

Research subject and scope

Research subject

- The research object of the thesis is the effect of corporate sustainability on

corporate performance and the mediating role of employee commitment, investor

commitment and community participation;

- Respondents: Leaders of tourist businesses operating in Vietnam South Central

Coast.

Research scope

- Space scope: The thesis focuses on researching tourist businesses operating in

Vietnam South Central Coast;

- Scope of time: The topic is implemented from June 2018 to November 2020.

Research methods

Qualitative research method

Group discussion with experts is used in qualitative research.

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Quantitative research method

Quantitative research is done through 2 steps including preliminary quantitative

research and formal quantitative research.

New points of the thesis

The research results of the thesis have shown new points compared to previous

studies, including the following contents:

Firstly, the thesis mentions the unexplored impact; specifically: the effect of corporate sustainability on the performance of tourist businesses has not been studied in

the world as well as in Vietnam.

Second, this thesis explores the mediating role of employee commitment, investor

commitment, community participation in the effect of corporate sustainability on

corporate performance that have not been researched in the world as well as in Vietnam.

Third, the thesis tests the mediating role of employees's perceptions, attitudes and

behaviors in the effect of corporate sustainability on corporate performance of tourist

businesses in Vietnam South Central Coast.

Fourth, the thesis tests the mediating role of investors's perception, attitude and

behavior in the effect of corporate sustainability on corporate performance of tourist

businesses in Vietnam South Central Coast.

Fifthly, the thesis tests the mediating role of local communities's perception, attitude

and behavior in the effect of corporate sustainability on corporate performance of tourist

businesses in Vietnam South Central Coast.

Sixthly, the mediating factors (employee commitment, investor commitment,

community participation) are analyzed in the direction of the respondents to be business

leaders. This is the difference from previous studies which were studied with the

approach of employees, local communities and investors.

Seventhly, the thesis adjusts the original scales to suit the characteristics of tourism

businesses in Vietnam South Central Coast. The thesis has added a number of new observational variables to the scale of the factors in the research model. The reliability of the new scales in the research burial shows quite high results, so subsequent studies

can be inherited.

Finally, the thesis suggests governance implications on the effect of corporate

sustainability on the performance of tourist businesses as well as the governance

implications of the mediating role of employee commitment, investor commitment,

community participation in the effect of corporate sustainability on the performance of

tourist businesses that other studies have not mentioned.

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Contributions of thesis

Scientific contributions

Firstly, the thesis systematizes the background theories and previous studies to

research concepts in the world and in Vietnam.

Second, on the basis of the background theory and previous studies, the thesis

proposes a new research model. Research model shows corporate sustainability on

corporate performance of tourist businesses and the mediating role of employee

commitment, investor commitment, community participation and verified in Vietnam

South Central Coast.

Finally, the thesis has supplemented, adjusted and evaluated the scale of the

research concepts. These scales are completely suitable for the conditions of the South

Central Coast in Vietnam.

Practical contributions

The research results have contributed practically, specifically:

Firstly, through the survey of the actual situation, the thesis has assessed the status

of awareness as well as practice about corporate sustainable activities in tourist

businesses in the South Central Coast, Vietnam.

Second, the thesis shows the impact of corporate sustainability on the performance

of tourist businesses in Vietnam South Central Coast and the mediating role of employee

commitment, investor commitment and community participation. On that basis, the

thesis provides governance implications to support tourist businesses in the tourism

industry. These governance implications help tourist businesses increase the

understanding of corporate sustainability activities. Accordingly, tourist businesses

operate in a sustainable and thereby improve performance of the business. At the same

time, this thesis will contribute to encouraging tourist businesses to pay more attention to stakeholders in making policies and implementing business strategies.

Finally, this thesis also suggests many new research directions for researchers in

the future when research about corporate sustainability, employee commitment, investor

commitment, community participation and corporate performance in other areas.

Research structure

The research in structured into 5 chapters as follows:

Chapter 1. Introduction research thesis

Chapter 2. Theoretical foundations and research models

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Chapter 3. Research methods

Chapter 4. Research results and discussion

Chapter 5. Conclusion and management implications

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CHAPTER 2. THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS AND RESEARCH MODELS

The concepts

Corporate sustainability

Concept of corporate sustainability

Corporate sustainability is a strategic model that develops its ability to create long-

term value for the business and its stakeholders. This model is intended to meet the needs

of businesses and stakeholders associated with social, economic and environmental

activities in the present and in the future.

Topics related to the concept of corporate sustainability

Wilson (2003) argues that combining corporate sustainability, corporate social

responsibility, corporate accountability and stakeholder theory we have the four pillars

of corporate sustainability. In which, corporate accountability is to report to all relevant

margins, not just the shareholders of the business.

Corporate performance

Operational efficiency is to achieve the strategic goals of the business. At the same

time, the corporate performance is assessed based on financial and non-financial

indicators.

Relationship between corporate sustainability and corporate performance

There is little empirical evidence that tests the mediating role of the mediating

variables such as employee commitment, investor commitment, community

participation in the effect of corporate sustainability on corporate performance.

Therefore, there is a need for a study to explore the mediating role in the relationship

between corporate sustainability and corporate performance.

Employee commitment

Employee commitment is a strong desire to maintain membership in the

organization and a willingness to exert considerable effort on behalf of the organization,

as well as a strong desire to maintain membership in the organization.

Investor commitment

Employee commitment is a positive feelings and a desire to be devoted to the

organization, as well as a willingness to work hard and a sense of a long-term

commitment to the organization.

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Community participation

Community participation is the fact that local community plays an important role.

At the same time, have a voice in the local tourism development decision-making

process and be consulted and accordingly tourism policy is reviewed.

Overview of background theories

Legitimacy theory

Concept of legitimacy theory

The legitimacy theory stems from the concept of the organisation's legitimacy,

defined as a condition or state, that exists when an entity value system conforms to the

value system of the social system. large that the entity is a part of it.

Application of the theory of legitimacy of the thesis

In accordance with the legitimacy theory, businesses will engage in sustainable

development activities and report to disclose these activities. Accordingly, legitimacy

theory is a theoretical point of view widely used in research on corporate sustainability.

The legitimacy theory explains why businesses engage in activities towards the

realization of sustainable development goals.

Institutional theory

Concept of institutional

The institution is the normality of the behavior or the regulations defining the

behavior in specific situations, acceptable to the members of the social group.

Approach angle of the institutional theory of the thesis

According to institutional theory, external social, political and economic pressures

influence corporate strategies and decisions. Institutional theory is used to explain how

changes in social values and regulations influence decisions related to corporate

sustainability practices. As a result, businesses are increasingly interested in and carry

out activities towards the realization of sustainable development goals and are gaining

widespread acceptance.

Stakeholder theory

Concept of stakeholder

Stakeholders are groups and individuals that benefit or be harmed, and whose

interests are violated or respected from the actions of the business. The role of the

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stakeholders is significant because the support from the stakeholders leads to a

successful business sustainability implementation.

Application of stakeholder theory of the thesis

According to the theory of stakeholders, businesses always try to balance the

interests of different stakeholders and manage the coherent effects in the relationships

between stakeholders and firms. Accordingly, corporate strategies for sustainable

development will positively affect the commitment and practices of stakeholders.

Resource dependence theory

Concept of resource dependence

Resource dependency theory is the study of how the external resources of an

organization influence the behavior and performance of an organization. The long-term

performance and survival of a business depends on those who provide resources outside

the business.

Application of resource dependence of the thesis

Other researchers have proposed resource dependency theory arguments to explain

why a firm can pursue stakeholder satisfaction. Resource dependency theory provides

strategists with a means of assessing potential factors that can be deployed to provide a

competitive advantage.

Review of research related

Through a review of related studies, it shows that studies on the impact of corporate

sustainability on business performance still lack empirical studies to assess the

intermediary role of stakeholders in this effect. At the same time, the thesis only finds

individual studies examining the effect of corporate sustainability on corporate

performance through the role of employee commitment (Collier and Esteban, 2007;

Choi and Yu, 2014), investor commitment (Marzouk, 2017; Crifo et al., 2019) and local

community participation (Tosun, 2006; Thammajinda, 2013; Kallio, 2018).

Studies on corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility as well as

research on Vietnam's tourism industry in comparison to developed countries in the

world are still limited. Researches have not gone into depth research on corporate

sustainability, especially tourism businesses, and therefore there is no specific solution

to this issue.

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Research model and research hypotheses

Basis of research model

In general, most research on corporate sustainability is found in developed

countries and focused on large industrial conglomerates. Research on the effect of

corporate sustainability on corporate performance in the context of developing and

transition countries like Vietnam is a research gaps that needs to be explored.

Through a review of previous researches, most researches on corporate

sustainability focus on large industrial groups and until recently there is a research gap

considering ownership structure, strategic direction, management characteristics and

importance in SMEs (Moneva and Hernandez, 2010; Tomšič et al., 2015). At the same

time, the author has not found any research on the effect of corporate sustainability on

corporate performance, especially tourism businesses, nor has there been any research

examining the impact of sustainability. Corporate sustainability through the mediating

role of employee commitment, investor commitment and community participation.

Therefore, the author's research will fill this research gaps.

Research hypotheses

Hypothesis H1a: Implementing the economic activities of the business has a

positively affects on corporate performance.

Hypothesis H1b: Implementing the social activities of the business has a positively

affects on corporate performance.

Hypothesis H1c: Implementing the environmental activities of the business

positively affects on corporate performance.

Hypothesis H2a: Implementing the economic activities of the business has a

positively affects on employee commitment.

Hypothesis H2b: Implementing corporate social activities has a positively affects

on employee commitment.

Hypothesis H2c: Implementing the environmental activities of the business has a

positively affects on employee commitment.

Hypothesis H3: Employee commitment has a positively affects on corporate

performance.

Hypothesis H4a: Implementing the economic activities of the business has a

positively affects on investor commitment.

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Hypothesis H4b: Implementing the social activities of the business has a positively

affects on investor commitment.

Hypothesis H4c: Implementing the environmental activities of the business has a

positively affects investor commitment.

Hypothesis H5: Investor commitment has a positively affects on corporate

performance.

Hypothesis H6a: Implementing the economic activities of the business has a

positively affects on community participation.

Hypothesis H6b: Implementing the corporate social activities of the business has a

positively affects on community participation.

Hypothesis H6c: Implementing the corporate environmental activities of the

business has a positively affects on community participation.

Hypothesis H7: Community participation has a positively affects on corporate

performance.

Research model

On the basis of background theories and related studies, the author proposes the

research model as follows:

(Source: Author proposed)

Figure 2.1: Research model

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CHAPTER 3. RESEARCH METHODS

Research process

To realize the research objectives of the thesis, qualitative research and quantitative

research are used. The research process is conducted according to the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the research problem

The research issue of the thesis is determined on the basis of analyzing the current

theoretical and practical contexts in Vietnam in general and the South Central Coast

region in particular.

Step 2: Determine the research objective

Stemming from research problems, the thesis identifies general research objectives

and specific research objectives. Research questions are also asked to clarify specific

research objectives.

Step 3: Qualitative research

On the basis of a literature review, the thesis identifies research concepts and

relationships of research concepts and proposes a research model. Then, through group

discussion of experts to discover new factors, adjust and supplement research concepts,

research models as well as scales to suit practical conditions.

Step 4: Quantitative research

Quantitative research is done through 2 steps of preliminary quantitative research

and formal quantitative research. Data are processed by SmartPLS 3.2.8 software.

Step 5: Research results

Formal quantitative research results are presented with contents such as sample

statistics, scale test results, convergence value assessment, differential assessment,

multicollinearity assessment evaluating structural model as well as testing results of

differences between groups by demographic variables.

Step 6: Discuss research results

The thesis discusses research results with experts. This step is done in order to

collect more expert comments to contribute to proposing governance implications in the

next step.

Step 7: Governance implications

This final step is done to draw general conclusions of the thesis and propose

governance implications.

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Qualitative research method

Design the original scale

Scale of corporate sustainability

Chow and Chen (2012) has defined the concept of s corporate sustainability and

verification of indicators can be observed and evaluated on corporate sustainability. The

thesis proposes a scale of the concept of corporate sustainability inherited from the

research of Chow and Chen (2011).

Scale of employee commitment

The scale of employee commitment was developed based on the definition of

employee commitment by Mowday et al. (1979) and Yew (2007).

Scale of investor commitment

The scale of investor commitment was developed based on Wagemans et al.

(2013).

Scale of community participation

The scale of community participation was developed based on Tosun (2006) and

will focus on the nature of local community participation expected from business.

Scale of corporate performance

The scale of corporate performance was developed based on Hernaus et al. (2012)

because this scale fully shows both financial and non-financial aspects when measuring

the concept of business performance.

Basis to choose the variable of the demographic

The author together with the experts discussed together the criteria for selecting

observation samples for the purpose of discovering the differences. Accordingly, the

dissertation will evaluate the current situation and the general situation of the research

problem more accurately, which can contribute to making governance implications.

Group discussion

Participants in the group discussion include 9 people who are leaders of tourist

businesses, lecturers of Universities with the criteria that are knowledgeable in theory

and have a lot of practical experience in the tourism industry.

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Results of qualitative research

Results of the research model

The results of group discussion showed that the proposed research model is

evaluated as appropriate to the research practice and context in Vietnam South Central

Coast and this research is urgent in the current conditions.

Scale adjustment

a. Scale of corporate sustainability

The results of qualitative research on the corporate sustainability scale for the

economic aspect include 4 observed variables, which are encoded from KT1 to KT4.

The results of qualitative research on the corporate sustainability scale for the

social aspect include 5 observed variables, which are encoded from XH1 to XH5.

The results of qualitative research on the corporate sustainability scale for the

environmental aspect include 5 observed variables, which are encoded from MT1 to

MT5.

b. Scale of employee commitment

The qualitative research results on the scale of employee commitment include 5

observed variables, which are encoded from GB1 to GB5.

c. Scale of investor commitment

The results of the qualitative research on the scale of investor commitment include

4 observed variables, which are encoded from NDT1 to NDT4.

d. Scale of community participation

The results of qualitative research on the scale of community participation include

3 observed variables, which are encoded from CD1 to CD3.

e. Scale of corporate performance

The results of qualitative research on the scale of corporate performance include 6

observed variables, which are encoded from HD1 to HQ6.

Design of survey questionnaires

Survey questionnaire content includes 3 parts.

Preliminary quantitative research

Sampling method

Sample size: n = 100 observations.

Sampling method: non-probability, intentional sampling method.

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Research data collection

To collect preliminary research data, the author sends the survey to the email of

the survey object using the Microsoft Forms tool.

Data analysis method of preliminary quantitative research

Quantitative research just stops at testing preliminary scales with Cronbach's Alpha

coefficients and analyzing the exploratory factors of EFA.

Results of preliminary quantitative research

Characteristics of research samples

Sample characteristics are classified according to the type of business, the field of

operation and the size of its labor force.

Evaluate the reliability of the scale with Cronbach's Alpha

The results of evaluating the reliability of the scales with Cronbach's Alpha

coefficients are synthesized by the author, as follows:

Bảng 3.1: Evaluate the reliability of the scale with Cronbach's Alpha

No. Scales Cronbach’s Alpha

Economic 0,881 1

Social 0,845 2

Environmental 0,890 3

Employee Commitment 0,838 4

Investor Commitment 0,744 5

Community Participation 0,868 6

Corporate Performance 0,892 7

(Source: Author compiled, 2020)

Explore Factor Analysis (EFA)

The results of the discovery factor analysis EFA showed that KMO value was

0.795 > 0.5 and Sig value. = 0,000 < 0.05. At the same time, according to the standard

of eigenvalue greater than 1, there are 7 factors extracted with the cumulative variance

of 75.891% > 50%. Thus, the variance of extraction is satisfactory. The observed

variables have satisfactory weights (> 0.5).

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Table 3.2: Results of KMO and Bartlett’s Test

Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy. 0,795

Approx. Chi-Square 238,316 Bartlett's Test of df 465 Sphericity Sig. 0,000

(Source: Results of processing data from author's investigation)

Formal quantitative research

Design of survey questionnaires

Contents of the survey questionnaire consists of 3 parts official.

Research sample design

Sample size

The minimum sample size according to Hair et al. (2016) is 15x10 = 150

observations with 15 being the number of research hypotheses. To achieve the minimum

sample size above, the author submitted 600 questionnaires (double the sample size).

The survey was conducted from July 2019 to December 2019.

Sampling method

The intentional, non-probability sampling method was used.

Research data collection

The thesis collected quantitative research data through 2 steps.

Step 1: The author contacted directly by phone and email with businesses to get

information including email and phone numbers of the respondents who are members

of the leadership board and other management functions in enterprise.

Step 2: The author contacted directly by phone and email with the expected survey

subjects obtained in step 1.

Data analysis method of formal quantitative research

Sequence of data analysis for formal quantitative research using PLS-SEM analysis

method was performed in 3 steps.

Step 1: Tests the measurement model

Step 2: Tests the structural model

Step 3: Tests the role of the intermediate variable

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CHAPTER 4. RESEARCH RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Overview of tourist businesses in Vietnam South Central Coast

South Central Coast in Vietnam has been planned with the aim of exploiting the

potentials and advantages to develop tourism of the region to become the leading

strength of Vietnam's tourism. However, the majority of tourism enterprises in the South

Central Coast are SMEs. As a result, these tourism businesses are still limited in their

capital sources, administrative capacities and lack of interest from investors.

Describe the research sample

The official sample characteristics are classified according to the title of the

respondent, the type of business, the field of operation, the size of the labor force and

the locality of operation.

Measurement model

Cronbach’s Alpha reliability analysis

The result of testing the validity of the scale in the study is that, all the coefficients

of Cronbach's Alpha are greater than 0.7 and have aggregated reliability (CR) greater

than 0.7, meeting satisfactory; the lowest combined reliability is 0.870 and the highest

combined confidence is 0.922. The scales are reliable and explainable for research

concepts.

Tests of converging value

Average Variance Extracted - AVE of all scales satisfies the condition that greater

than 0.5 when the smallest index is 0.572 and the rho_A coefficient is greater than 0.7.

At the same time, the external load coefficients of the observed variables are greater

than 0.7. The Fornell-Larcker matrix coefficients are both satisfactory. This proves that

all scales reach convergent values.

Tests of distinction value

The largest Heterotrait - Monotrait (Heterotrait) index is 0.750, less than 0.9.

Therefore, the research concepts are correlated but still differentiated from other

research concepts, without the same conceptual phenomenon. Thus, the research

concepts gain distinction.

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Tests of multi-collinearity phenomenon

The indexes of Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) are all less than 5. That means the

research model does not appear multicollinearity.

The SRMR coefficient of the critical model and the estimated model is 0.051 and

0.058, respectively, less than 0.12. Thus, the estimated model satisfies the survey data's

compatibility with the market data.

Table 4.1: Model_Fit

Saturated Model Estimated Model

SRMR 0,051 0,058

d_ULS 1,267 1,657

d_G1 0,673 0,692

d_G2 0,497 0,516

Chi-Square 1.337,700 1.373.690

NFI 0,842 0,838

(Source: Research results, 2020)

Structural model

Tests of R Square Adjusted

The results showed that the explanation level of the square adjusted R was average

(between 0.25 and 0.5). In addition, the variable corporate sustainability includes social,

economic and environmental aspects and has a level of explanation for corporate

performance is 0.610.

Table 4.1: Results of R Square Adjusted

R Square Adjusted

R Square

Employee Commitment 0,393 0,389

Investor Commitment 0,304 0,299

Community Participation 0,358 0,354

Corporate Performance 0,615 0,610

(Source: Research results, 2020)

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Bootstrapping tests

The Bootstrapping estimation results from 5000 observations show that the original

weight is significant with the mean weight of bootstrapping because all weights are

within the 95% confidence interval. Therefore, it can be concluded that the estimates in

the model are reliable.

Hypothesis tests

The results of the study show that all path coefficients are positive, which means

that relationships between research concepts are positively related or in other words

research hypotheses. Research proposals in research are accepted.

The degree of impact between research concepts

Research results show that there is a direct and indirect effect of research concepts

on the performance of tourist businesses in the South Central Coast in Vietnam.

Table 4.2: Direct and indirect effect and total effect

Social Dependent variable Impact type Econo- mic Environ- mental Investor Commit -ment Commu- nity Participa -tion

Employee Commitme- nt Investor Commitme- nt Community Participatio- n Corporate Performanc- e Direct Indirect Total Direct Indirect Total Direct Indirect Total Direct Indirec Total 0,270 0,000 0,270 0,342 0,000 0,342 0,262 0,000 0,262 0,173 0,133 0,306 0,216 0,000 0,216 0,156 0,000 0,156 0,261 0,000 0,261 0,267 0,099 0,366 0,155 0,000 0,155 0,294 0,000 0,294 0,176 0,000 0,176 0,219 0,000 0,219 0,124 0,115 0,239

Emplo- yee Commi -tment 0,122 0,230 0,000 0,000 0,122 0,230 (Source: Results of author's investigation data)

Difference tests

Test the difference by type of business

The Levene test results showed the Sig. = 0.000 < 0.05, which means that the

variance of business groups by type of business is heterogeneous. Next, the Welch test

results showed the Sig. = 0.000 <0.05, this confirms that there is a statistically significant

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difference in the performance of tourist businesses in Vietnam South Central Coast with

types of businesses.

Test the difference by field of operation

The Levene test results showed the Sig. = 0.072 > 0.05. Therefore, the variance

between groups of subjects is uniform and there are differences between different

groups. At the same time, the ANOVA test results showed the value of Sig. = 0.000 <

0.05, this shows the difference between groups in the fields of operation for corporate

performance.

Test the difference by size of the labor force

Levene test results show that the variance of groups belonging to the size of the

labor force is the same. At the same time, the ANOVA test results showed the value of

Sig. = 0.01 < 0.05, this suggests that there is a difference between size of the labor force

in the analysis for corporate performance.

Test the difference by locality of operation

Levene test results show that groups of business in 8 surveyed areas have

homogeneous variance. At the same time, the ANOVA test showed Sig. = 0.261 > 0.005,

which means that there is no difference in corporate performance by locality of

operation.

Discussion

Discussion of research model

Research results show that corporate sustainability is made up of three economic,

social and environmental aspects and that all three aspects affect corporate performance.

At the same time, there exists an intermediary role of employee commitment, investor

commitment and community participation in the effect of corporate sustainability on

corporate performance of tourist businesses in Vietnam South Central Coast.

Discussion of scales and research hypotheses

The descriptive statistical results of the investor commitment scale have the lowest

average value in the scales and the corporate performance scale has the highest average

value in the scales. At the same time, the study proposes 15 hypotheses, the structural

model estimation results show that all research hypotheses proposed in the study are

accepted.

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Discussion of difference

The difference test results show that there are differences in the performance of

tourist businesses in Vietnam South Central Coast in terms of type of business, field of

operation and size of the labor force.

The difference test results show that there is no difference in the performance of

tourist businesses in Vietnam South Central Coast in terms of locality of operation.

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CHAPTER 5. CONCLUSION AND MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

Conclusion

Research results show that corporate sustainability has a direct and indirect

impact (through the three intermediate variables, employee commitment, investor

commitment and community participation) on corporate performance.

Governence implications

Implications of corporate sustainability

Implications of environment

Reduce energy consumption and water consumption.

Reduce the environmental impacts of your products and services.

Realizing partnerships on the basis of reduced environmental impact.

Taking voluntary action to restore natural environment.

Implementation of environmental audit and information disclosure processes.

Implications of economy

Commitment to good working conditions, staff training and salary and bonus

regime.

Saving energy and water helps to reduce operating costs and conserves natural

resources to better serve business activities at the destination.

Make a difference in the process as well as typical travel products.

Further improve the linkage with government and local officials to protect

interests as well as increase business participation in tourism development.

Implications of society

Improved health and safety of employees and the community.

Recognize and act on activities to fund local community initiatives.

Interested in protecting the interests of the complainant and the local community.

Further improve the communication of corporate environmental impacts and risks

to the public.

Considering the interests of stakeholders in the investment decision by official

dialogue.

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Implications of employee commitment

Travel businesses need to further increase the trust and acceptance of business

goals and values from their staff.

Further improve the brand value and reputation of the business.

Strengthen leadership to motivate employees.

Complete appropriate financial and non-financial policies.

Increase employee awareness so that they understand their obligations to the

tourism business.

Implications of community participation

Enhance the role of local communities in tourism development.

The local community should be consulted and according to which tourism

policies (strategies) are taken into account.

Local communities should have a say in local tourism development decision-

making.

Implications of investor commitment

Proactively improve financial capacity, risk management and governance

activities to enhance the ability to meet loan conditions from investors.

Increase investment in and application of information technology in tourism

businesses' activities.

Actively join business associations to quickly and promptly access information.

Limitations of research and next research directions

Limitations of research

Limit the scope of the survey.

Limited scope of research.

Limitations on sampling method.

Limited intermediate variables in the research model.

Research directions

The thesis has confirmed the significance of the concepts involved in the research

model, however, there may exist other concepts that are also statistically significant

that need to be discovered. Therefore, future studies in the future will further expand

the concepts to increase the diversity of research models.