Barriers to creativity in the hotel industry – perspectives of managers and supervisors

Aims to identify the job‐related barriers to creativity as perceived by managers and supervisors in the Hong Kong hotel industry. Two pilot tests using individual in‐depth interview and dichotomous selection test were conducted to identify possible barriers. Based on the result of the first pilot study, 25 job‐related barriers to creativity were consolidated and finally 17 statements were developed through the respondents’ selection in the second pilot study. Factor analysis of Principal Components Analysis with a Varimax Rotation was conducted and four major dimensions of barriers were identified with a factor loading of 0.5 or higher. Significant differences were observed when analyzing the demographic variable of education with the factor of “fear of change and criticism” and “time and work pressure”. Suggests recommendations on how to reduce the barriers inhibiting creativity in the hotel industry aiming at improving the creative potential of hotel employees.