Frugal AI as a catalyst for smart hospitality: Rethinking digital transformation in resource-constrained settings
研究了在资源受限条件下，节俭人工智能如何通过物联网、数字化转型和组织能力推动智慧酒店发展，为酒店管理者提供了低成本、可扩展的数字化转型路径。
This study examines how Frugal AI supports Smart Hospitality through the integration of IoT, digital transformation, and organizational capabilities under resource-constrained conditions. Grounded in the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework, the research adopts a two-stage mixed-method design. In stage one, 53 semi-structured interviews were analyzed using the Gioia methodology, identifying key enablers including adaptive digital infrastructures, lightweight AI systems, and organizational readiness. In stage two, these insights were validated through a survey of 509 hospitality respondents using structural equation modeling. The findings show that IoT and digital transformation positively influence Frugal AI adoption, which subsequently enhances Smart Hospitality outcomes. Organizational readiness and AI capability further strengthen these relationships. The study refines the contextual application of TOE in resource-constrained hospitality settings by positioning Frugal AI as a scalable and cost-efficient pathway for intelligent service innovation. Practically, it offers a realistic roadmap for hospitality firms seeking affordable and adaptive digital transformation strategies.