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Abstract
Studying innovation in the service industry has become an important research area in the past years. However, there is still a lack of research related to innovation on the individual level in a specific work role. In this study the researchers focus on innovation at the individual level, which is referred to as innovative behavior. The aim of the researchers in this study is to identify and examine the drivers to innovative behavior in frontline jobs in the hospitality sector. A conceptual model of drivers to innovative behavior was developed and tested based on a survey in which 158 hotel frontline employees in Norway participated. The hypothesised relationships were tested using partial least-squares as the approach to structural-equation modelling. The findings revealed that employee creativity is a key driver to employee innovative behavior. To understand more fully the factors driving employee innovative behavior, the researchers in this study also examined three antecedents to employee creativity. The results show that, from the greatest to the least effect, company-empowerment practices, familiarity with company vision, and employee commitment are all significantly related to employee creativity. Theoretical and practical implications of the study are also provided.