The Influence of Lean Adoption on Hotel Performance: A Study of Selected Hotels in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State

Abstract

This study delves into the relationship between various factors such as customer participation, contin-uous improvement, and customer focus, and their impact on market share, sales growth, and customer satisfaction in hotels located in Rivers State. Employing a cross-sectional design, the research offers a snapshot of these connections at a specific moment in time. Data sourced from hotels officially regis-tered with the Nigerian Hotel Association (NHA) is utilized due to the lack of a centralized database. The targeted population encompassed 750 and a sample size of 330 hotel managers from specific Lo-cal Government Areas (PHALGA and Obio Akpor). The study employed Partial Least Squares Struc-tural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to explore the relationships between various independent fac-tors and dependent variables affecting hotel performance. The findings of the study revealed that di-mensions of lean adoption practices correlate with measures of hotel performance. Hence the study postulates a positive and significant relation between lean adoption and hotel performance. The study thus recommended that management staff of hotels should promote customer-centric lean practices. The study encourages hotels in Rivers State to actively involve customers in identifying and addressing their needs through feedback mechanisms, customer advisory boards, and co-creation workshops. Al-so, they are advised to build a culture of continuous improvement. This can be done by training staff on lean principles and tools, empowering them to identify and eliminate waste, and creating a system for celebrating and rewarding improvement initiatives.