Developing innovation capability in the hotel industry, who and what is important? A mixed methods approach

Abstract

This study employs a sequential mixed methods design to examine the dynamic roles of leadership, customer orientation, and customer collaboration on the innovation capability and performance of Malaysian hotels. An exploratory qualitative assessment based on semi-structured interviews was conducted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the contextual environment and establish a robust conceptual framework. A confirmatory survey among Malaysian hotel managers allowed for the empirical testing of the hypotheses. The results suggest that customer orientation is a key element that directly promotes hotels’ innovation capabilities. The results further show that the influence of customer collaboration on innovation can be enhanced by a transformational leader. Improvements in innovation capabilities have lasting effects on hotel performance, underscoring their strategic importance in the dynamic hospitality sector. These findings offer important implications for top management and decision-making personnel seeking to leverage innovation as a means of improving performance and gaining a competitive edge.

Choosing the Perfect Stay: Factors Influencing Tourist Hotel Decisions-Making

“…The concept of theme, on the other hand, can extend beyond the limits of a servicescape in the hotel business (Chen et al, 2022). Theme hotels distinguish themselves from other categories of hotels, such as extended-stay, limited-service, and suite hotels, by placing a higher emphasis on creating distinctive theme experiences through specialist designs, goods, and services (He et al, 2024;Chandran, 2024;Wu, 2023). The theme of the hotels is unique compared to other hotels.…”