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Keith, Caruana (2006) Adding Value to Malta's Youth Travel through Innovation Case Study: NSTS Student and Youth Travel, Malta. [Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

In recent years innovation has gained significant importance particularly due to the increasing competition companies and organisations are facing. This competition is threatening the economic stability of Western economies. Innovation is the only key that enables companies and organisations to be distinguishable from others which are operating in the same market and probably producing the same product or service. This is widely seen in the travel and tourism industry where the services are more or less identical. However, through innovation, organisations add an extra element to their core product and thus become distinguishable from others.

Innovation is not a simple policy. It is a complicated one which includes not only the introduction of successful new products/services but it also includes elements that precede innovation without which it cannot be pursued. These are leadership and motivation.

The following study analyses the elements that precede innovation by focusing on NSTS Student and Youth Travel in Malta, a department which forms part of NSTS organisation that offers students and youth packages. Its primary mission is to promote and assist Maltese students and youths in their travelling quest. It focuses on educational and cultural experiences which enable students to broaden their horizons.

The study provides an overview of the evolution that occurred in the discipline of innovation. It discusses the issues that are likely to hinder or encourage innovation in organisations and in particular the inter-relationship between leadership, motivation and innovation. The study then focuses on NSTS Student and Youth Travel and an analysis of the operations of this department with regards to these three elements is presented.

The leaders in this organisation share the same view on the importance of innovation. However, NSTS lacks correct managerial attitudes in terms of risk taking. The study uncovered a leadership gap between the managing director and the manager of the department. In addition employees are simply fulfilling their contractual obligations and thus innovation is hindered from within as employees are not contributing to the development of the organisation. The organisation lacks excitement and inspiration and employees do not have anyone to look up to because leadership seems to be too distant from their aspirations.

This study recommends initiatives that the organisation has to adopt in order to bridge the leadership gap and to motivate its employees to be attached to the organisation.

Item Type:	Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)
Depositing User:	EP, Services
Date Deposited:	29 Nov 2006
Last Modified:	16 Mar 2018 08:37
URI:	https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/20305

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