Training plans, manager’s characteristics and innovation in the accommodation industry.

This paper explores the effect of training plans and managerial characteristics on innovation activity in the hospitality sector. This sector is featured by being labor-intensive so the examination of employment and managers skills deserves attention in order to determine the level of quality and competitive advantage in the provision of services. The data in the paper comes from a questionnaire administered to hotel managers in a representative sample of hotels in the Balearic Islands, a leading tourist destination. Results suggest that training plans positively affect innovation-related decisions and the extent of their implementation; however, managers should have more than experience to manage the innovation change, specifically skills and capabilitiesInnovación; Hoteles; Formación;

Training plans, manager’s characteristics and innovation in the accommodation industry

This paper explores the effect of training plans and managerial characteristics on innovation activity in the hospitality sector. This sector is featured by being labor-intensive so the examination of employment and managers skills deserves attention in order to determine the level of quality and competitive advantage in the provision of services. The data in the paper comes from a questionnaire administered to hotel managers in a representative sample of hotels in the Balearic Islands, a leading tourist destination. Results suggest that training plans positively affect innovation-related decisions and the extent of their implementation; however, managers should have more than experience to manage the innovation change, specifically skills and capabilitiesFinancial support provided by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science, through the SEJ2007-67895-C04-03/ECON projectEn prens

Innovation activity in the hotel industry

This paper provides evidence for different innovation activities in the hotel industry. In particular, we explore the influence of a variety of firm and market characteristics on radical and incremental innovations. We consider the learning of new attributes (radical) and the addition of characteristics to existing attributes (incremental) to represent two different paces or degrees of managing the innovation process in this specific industry. The database used in the empirical study shares the major features of new approaches about innovation in services. A questionnaire administered to a representative sample of hotel managers in the Balearic Islands provides the data for the discrete regression models used to represent the innovation in these hotels. Our main conclusion is that radical and incremental innovations appear to be interrelated. Furthermore, the main determinants of innovation are the form of hotel management, the hotel market strategy, and the size and location of the hotel.Publicad

Innovation activity in the hotel industry: evidence from Balearic Islands.

The paper provides empirical evidence on technological activity in the Spanish service sector, in particular for the tourist accommodation in the Balearics. The study wants to fulfil the lack of analyses in the field of tourism. Commonly, the study of innovation activity has been carried out from a manufacture perspective, for that reason the paper discusses the precise definition of innovation in accommodation services. The data refer to a large representative sample of hotels in Balearic Islands (Spain), providing a homogeneous set of information. The results show as higher-categories hotels are more innovative than lower-categories hotels; an aggregated measure of technological innovation presents a rate over the average for hotels that belong to a chain, and that for hotels under management contract. Half of innovative companies adjust the human capital skills and abilities. The hotel industry is a supplier-driven sector that innovates introducing R&D embodied technology rather than undertaking internal R&D activities.Services innovation; Hotel industry; Balearic Islands;

Innovation activity in the hotel industry: evidence from Balearic Islands

The paper provides empirical evidence on technological activity in the Spanish service sector, in particular for the tourist accommodation in the Balearics. The study wants to fulfil the lack of analyses in the field of tourism. Commonly, the study of innovation activity has been carried out from a manufacture perspective, for that reason the paper discusses the precise definition of innovation in accommodation services. The data refer to a large representative sample of hotels in Balearic Islands (Spain), providing a homogeneous set of information. The results show as higher-categories hotels are more innovative than lower-categories hotels; an aggregated measure of technological innovation presents a rate over the average for hotels that belong to a chain, and that for hotels under management contract. Half of innovative companies adjust the human capital skills and abilities. The hotel industry is a supplier-driven sector that innovates introducing R&D embodied technology rather than undertaking internal R&D activities.Publicad

Innovation behavior in the hotel industry

We develop and test a model of innovation behavior in the hotel industry. The model relates four types of innovation--i.e., management, external communication, service scope and back-office--to the key determinants: service provider characteristics, customer competences and the market drivers. Using statistical probit models and cross-sectional survey data from a stratified sample of hotels in the Balearic Islands (N=331) we were able to verify the model including innovation types determinants and the innovation impact on hotels performance. Main findings verify the model indicating the effects of these determinants on innovation and the positive impact of the innovation on the hotels performance. Hence, innovation decisions determinants are: the additional services on offer, that bookings are made through tour operators, that hotels are part of a hotel chain and that the owners of the hotel run the business.Innovation Services Hotel industry Management of technology Performance impact