Managing Innovative Projects in the Restaurant Business: An Institutional Approach

Author: Denis Gavchuk

Abstract:

The restaurant industry is an increasingly competitive and dynamic sector, where innovation is key to staying ahead of the competition. However, managing innovative projects in this industry poses unique challenges, such as balancing creativity with operational efficiency, and navigating the complex web of institutional factors that shape the industry. This monograph explores the management of innovative projects in the restaurant business through the lens of institutional theory.

By adopting an institutional approach, this study examines how institutional factors, such as regulatory frameworks, industry norms, and cultural values, influence the management of innovative projects in restaurants. The monograph draws on a mixed-methods approach, combining case studies, surveys, and interviews with restaurant owners, managers, and chefs to provide a comprehensive understanding of the institutional context of innovation in the restaurant industry.

The study identifies three key institutional factors that shape the management of innovative projects in restaurants: (1) regulatory frameworks, which can either facilitate or hinder innovation; (2) industry norms, which influence the adoption of new technologies and business models; and (3) cultural values, which shape consumer preferences and expectations.

The monograph also develops a conceptual framework for managing innovative projects in restaurants, which highlights the importance of institutional alignment, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive leadership. The framework is illustrated through case studies of successful innovative projects in restaurants, which demonstrate how institutional factors can be leveraged to drive innovation and competitiveness.

Key Findings:

Institutional factors, such as regulatory frameworks, industry norms, and cultural values, play a crucial role in shaping the management of innovative projects in restaurants.
The alignment of institutional factors with organizational goals and strategies is critical to the success of innovative projects in restaurants.
Stakeholder engagement and adaptive leadership are essential for navigating the complex institutional context of the restaurant industry.
Implications:

Restaurant owners and managers can leverage institutional factors to drive innovation and competitiveness, rather than viewing them as constraints.
Policymakers and industry associations can create an enabling environment for innovation in the restaurant industry by promoting institutional frameworks that support entrepreneurship and creativity.
The conceptual framework developed in this study can be applied to other industries where institutional factors play a significant role in shaping innovation and competitiveness.
Target Audience:

Restaurant owners and managers seeking to drive innovation and competitiveness in their businesses.
Policymakers and industry associations interested in promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the restaurant industry.
Scholars and researchers in the fields of innovation management, institutional theory, and hospitality management.
Keywords: innovation management, institutional theory, restaurant industry, entrepreneurship, competitiveness, innovation projects, stakeholder engagement, adaptive leadership.