Hotel Innovation in Different Settings – Two Destinations’ Comparison

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to examine and compare innovation activity, types and differences in innovation perception among the managerial and non-managerial staff within the hotel sector at two destinations from different countries. Methodology -The theoretical part of the paper reviews relevant scientific papers relating to definition, types and determinants of innovation within the hotel sector. As the literature calls for more empirical studies with the same methodology in different contexts, two study destinations, Novi Sad in Serbia and Split in Croatia, are analyzed and compared. The empirical study was conducted in both destinations using the same survey questionnaire, based on scales which have been developed and tested in previous studies. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and parametric tests. Findings -The results show moderate hotel innovation activity in both destinations and dominance of the technological innovations type. Statistically significant differences in all innovation types, except the technological ones are found at both destinations. Statistically significant differences in the perception of technological, product/service innovation, and administrative innovation from the managerial and non-managerial employees' perspective were found in Novi Sad hotels while no difference was found in the perception of the total innovation activity between the hotels at both destinations. Contribution -Theoretical contribution is provided through critical synthesis of the relevant scientific papers, the research gap identified and the future research directions. The empirical contribution stems from studies conducted at two destinations from different countries, rarely covered in this research stream while practical contribution comes from the analysis, comparison and conclusions derived. Finally, implications for policy makers, relevant institutions as well as for hotel managers, owners and investors form the social contribution of the paper.