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Innovation in the hospitality industry

Author

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  • Mikaela Backman

    (Jönköping International Buiness School, Jönköping, Sweden)

  • Johan Klaesson

    (Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden; Research Institute of Industrial Economics, Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Özge Öner

    (Jönköping International Buiness School, Jönköping, Sweden; Research Institute of Industrial Economics, Stockholm, Sweden)

Abstract

The hospitality industry is a rapidly growing revenue generator in many countries and is becoming economically important for generating employment and for integrating of immigrants into the labor market. As an industry where firms face fierce competition, it is important for the firms to maintain their competitiveness by distinguishing themselves from others through continuous improvements and innovations. In this article, we investigate the determinants of innovation in the hospitality industry by analyzing survey data gathered from over 900 firms in Sweden. In the analysis, we differentiate between firm-specific and location-specific features. We conclude that the most important characteristics that explain innovation lie within the firm itself, not the location. These results provide important insights regarding firm- versus location-placed innovation policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikaela Backman & Johan Klaesson & Özge Öner, 2017. "Innovation in the hospitality industry," Tourism Economics, , vol. 23(8), pages 1591-1614, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:toueco:v:23:y:2017:i:8:p:1591-1614
    DOI: 10.1177/1354816617715159
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Isidoro Romero & Igone Porto Gómez & Jon Mikel Zabala-Iturriagagoitia, 2019. "‘Cookpetition’: Do restaurants coopete to innovate?," Tourism Economics, , vol. 25(6), pages 904-922, September.
    4. Jol Stoffers & Klaes Eringa & Jamie Niks & Anne Kleefstra, 2021. "Workplace Innovation and Organizational Performance in the Hospitality Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-13, May.
    5. Stojcic, Nebojsa & Vojvodic, Katija & Butigan, Nikola, 2019. "Service innovations and firm performance in the hospitality industry: evidence from tourism driven economies," MPRA Paper 108648, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Sarath Divisekera & Van K Nguyen, 2018. "Drivers of innovation in tourism: An econometric study," Tourism Economics, , vol. 24(8), pages 998-1014, December.
    7. Amador Durán-Sánchez & José Álvarez-García & María de la Cruz del Río-Rama & Beatriz Rosado-Cebrián, 2019. "Science Mapping of the Knowledge Base on Tourism Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-17, June.

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