ABSTRACT
This chapter elaborates on how hoteliers attempt to implement innovation processes in their companies. Based on quantitative data gathered through a survey conducted during spring 2014, the authors are able to derive the main patterns and determinants of these processes. The formalization of innovation processes is a major success factor in the eyes of the hotel managers. The chapter presents a study, which identifies internal and external factors of successful innovation processes. The study supports an understanding of those factors that determine single innovation process steps and innovation capability in hotel businesses in order to derive implications for hotel management and tourism policy. The study also underlined the fact that successful innovation depends on organization and communications structure. The results underline the fact that hoteliers perceive their businesses as innovative and generally state that the hotel industry in Austria is quite innovative. Respondents are members of the Austrian Hotel Association (HV) and 4-star and 5-star hotels in Western Austria.
