The Role of Managerial and Technological Innovations in the Tourism Industry: A Review of the Empirical Literature

Abstract

The constant changes typically present in the market along with intense competition force companies to be flexible and adaptable. Firms that operate in the tourism industry need to be well prepared and ready to face challenges that arise on different levels. Managerial and technological innovations can play a significant role in the profitability, sustainable development and longevity of a company. In this respect, this paper aims to analyze the role of innovation, as well as the key elements that affect the capability of a firm to manage innovation (as corporate strategy, organizational structure, management style, employee management, innovation process and knowledge management). To this end, it highlights the importance of the way that a firm is directed in order to enhance its performance and maintain its competitive advantage in the market. Some of the results show that the proper style of management, appropriate personnel and a pleasant working environment characterized by collaboration among employees and managers enhance the possibilities of a firm to increase innovation. Moreover, some managerial implications are also proposed to assist managers of firms in the tourist industry to create appropriate strategies. Since managers are positive and support innovation in all aspects of the firm, this may also enhance the use of technology, which will give tourism firms increased opportunity to enlarge their market share. In addition, our study accentuates the roles of ICT, social media, mobile phones and smartphones, websites, as well as multimedia, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and several other technological advances in the tourism industry, which have helped to develop operations and transform the process of travelling to a much more pleasant and efficient experience. Within this framework of the essential role of managerial and technological innovations in tourism, our study aims to provide an extensive review of the empirical studies that have been conducted to investigate these issues.