Entrepreneurial innovation strategies; an option for small hotels’ growth in Ghana

Abstract

Homes away from home show the behavioral patterns of people who are always on the move from one place to another. Many small size hotels in Ghana keep springing up quickly in a bid to provide home for people away from home. Yet, innovative ideas that enhance patronage and sustainability is on a decline, leading to eventual foldup. This study seeks to advance the entrepreneurial innovations of small hotels in order to sustain growth in Ghana. Successful stories about SMEs exist but are rare. A population size of 2915 entrepreneurs operating small medium hotels across the country were zoned into three, and schematic random sampling method was used in selecting the hotels. A scale of 100% hospitality industry attitudinal variables such as Service Innovations, Process Innovations, Management Innovations and Marketing Innovations were used. Responses from small hotel managers/owners indicate that there is a strong correlation between innovative activities and patronage. We therefore, recommend small hospitalities’ managers to develop their innovative abilities as a reliable path to the survival and growth of their businesses in a highly perishable and competitive business environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]