Theses supervised by Ali Öztüren
14 theses · Eastern Mediterranean University
Kıbrıs Mutfağında Yerel Ürünlerde Kullanılan Malzemelerin ve Pişirme Yöntemlerinin Bölgelere Göre Analizi
It is believed that there is a broad perception that the cooking method, ingredients, and amounts of local dishes are the same in every region. On the other hand, in every region and every home, cooking techniques, various complementary by-products except for primary ingredients, and cooking equipment differ according to place and / or person. Within the scope of this thesis, the differences and similarities of the main ingredients used in the production of local dishes (Aytotoro / Lefkara Pan, Molehiya, Kolokas Stew, Şeftali Kebab), which are cooked and consumed by local people from six districts of Cyprus, the primary by-products and the scales were examined. The recipes of the dishes were obtained from the local people who have open identities on social media and who have been living in the district for a long time. In this context, 119 recipes were collected. The materials and quantities in the recipes collected were analyzed according to the products and cooking techniques that are most commonly used. As a result of the recipes’ content analysis, the differences and similarities between the techniques used in cooking the local dishes and the amount and varieties of the dishes were revealed, tabulated and shown regionally on the Cyprus map. This thesis is expected to be a reference book for students studying in the fields of gastronomy, culinary arts, and food and beverage, filling a large literature gap in the island cuisine, revealing the structure of Cyprus island cuisine, determining the factors affecting food culture, keeping a record of culinary information, which is considered as intangible cultural heritage, transferring it to new generations. Keywords: Gastronomy, Food Culture, Local Foods, Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Wine Tourism Development in a Mediterranean Destination: Perspectives and Experiences from Cyprus, Italy, Turkey and France
Mediterranean countries have long been associated with wine production. However, only recently, as regions come to face the implications of global rural restructuring, have wine and tourism been utilized for regional development. This article provides an information of the concept of wine tourism development and its current situation in the Mediterranean. The study examines the relationship opportunities, benefits and the challenges between wineries and tourism and hospitality sector. In the meantime, this research is to critically learn interior and exterior obstacles and challenges from the winery perspectives and learning their regional features and winery assets that contributes in involving in wine tourism and enhancing cellar-door experiences. In general, this study addressing (1) to investigate the challenges and the scope of being involved in tourism and hospitality sector and the level of benefits to the winery, (2) to gather information on how regional heritage - historical, cultural, traditional, geographical – associated and incorporated by the wineries, (3) to examine the how effective are authenticity and key features of the stories that are associated with regional heritage, winery family background and wine production in cellar-door experiences, (4) to explore what sustainable practices adopted and undertaken and how they are effecting the value chain of the winery, (5) to find out the level of relevancy of the region for wine tourism and the challenges the wineries are encountering.
Residents' quality of life and attitudes toward education tourism development in North Cyprus
Tourism has become one of the largest and fastest growing economic sector in the world. However, the development and changes of a tourism destination has a number of effects especially on people who are living there. Tourism is related with social, economic, and environmental benefits and according to this; the quality of life (QOL) of the local people has many connections with the development of tourism. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of demographics, the areas of quality of life and residential statuses on the attitudes of the local people in North Cyprus about the development of future educational tourism. The important contribution of this study is to identify the predictive power of different dimensions of quality of life, demographic profile structure and residential status on attitudes towards the development of educational tourism in the North Cyprus. The acquisition of support from local residents is a very important area in terms of the sustainability of educational tourism and the quality of life has an important role in determining the attitude of the people. The working group consisted of 523 local people in five different regions where Northern Cyprus Universities were located. In order to measure the attitudes towards the development of future education tourism, a scale of 3 items was used, and the "Tourism and Quality of Life Scale" which consisting of 49 items and modified by Liang and Hui (2016), were used in the study. The results of this study generally have shown that the positive attitudes of local people depend on the community well-being domain of ETQOL in particular. Furthermore, the results show that the middle and high income groups have more positive attitudes than low and very high income groups towards education tourism development. In addition, homeowners and rentals have a positive attitude towards the development of educational tourism compared to those residing in the dormitories. In addition, no significant differences were found regarding age, gender, educational status, number of children and marital status. Keywords: Quality of life, education tourism, tourism development, North Cyprus, resident attitudes.
Effects of Ethical Leadership on Trust, Affective Commitment, and Organizational Deviance at the Hotel Industry in Cameroon
Purpose – The thesis investigates the effects of ethical leadership on trust in leaders’ affective commitment and employee organizational deviance, the impact of trust on affective commitment and organizational deviance and the effect of affective commitment on organizational deviance. Methodology – Data used were obtained from 150 frontline employees working in four-star hotels in Cameroon. A convenience sampling and cross-sectional research method were implemented for that data collection. Correlation, regression, and path analysis were used for data analysis Results–The present research endorses that ethical leadership positively affects trust in leaders and affective commitment and negatively influences organization deviance. Furthermore, it is confirmed by the present study that, trust positively affects affective commitment and negatively affects organizational deviance. Last but not the least, affective commitment negatively influences organizational deviance. Hence, the perception of ethics in leadership by employees on their leaders will instigate their trust in them. They will become committed to their jobs and avoid any deviant behaviour or actions that will negatively affect the growth of the hotel. Managerial implications – The results of the present study should help to encourage authorities in the hospitality industry to improve in hotel prospectus by enhancing ethical leadership performances for forthcoming leaders in the industry. Managers’ and leader’s ethical behavior and their senses of responsibility have a great impact on employees’ attitudes and practices. Leaders should invest in measures that will nurture trust and promote effective intellectual contacts in the workplace, thereby discouraging deviant employee actions. Original Contribution – This study underwrites to the build of literature on the academic enlightenment of the significances of ethical leadership on trust in leaders in the hotel industry, as well as to the growing body of studies based on affective organizational commitment and organizational deviance in hotel industry. Keywords: Ethical Leadership; Trust in Leaders; Employee Affective Commitment; Organizational Deviance; Cameroon.
Effects of Covid-19 on Educational Tourists’ Eating Habits and Cooking Skills
Covid-19 has not only halted people from active participation in daily activities but has also influenced the personal eating habits and cooking skills of educational tourists. These raised concerns about why, what, and how people eat irrespective of their various environmental, religious, socio-cultural, and political backgrounds. Based on these challenges, educational tourists start to adapt to changes in their eating habits and cooking skills. Currently, the results on the effects of Covid-19 on educational tourists’ eating habits and cooking skills are scarce. The purpose of this study is to fill the literature gap on the effects of Covid-19 on educational tourists’ eating habits and cooking skills. Eating habits and cooking skills are vital parts of healthier food choices, which help overcome various diseases. In this qualitative study, the data collected from 29 Edu-tourists studying at Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) in North Cyprus using face-to-face interviews. Findings showed that Covid-19 had ripple effects such as; learning and improving cooking skills, hygiene consciousness, exercising, excess eating, etc., and educational tourists’ eating habits and cooking skills. One main contribution of this study is the knowledge expansion on eating habits and cooking skills. Future studies were discussed. Keywords: Covid-19; cooking skills; eating habits; educational tourists, Northern Cyprus.
Who is Saving Whom? Equifinal Paths to a Meaningful Experience Design through Marine Watching Tours
Marine protected areas are luring grounds for visitors who are willing to watch endangered species before they disappear forever. Hereafter, strategies to tackle the challenges of sustaining these fragile areas in one hand, and managing visitors in another are eminent. In this regard, visitor’s deportment that benefit self and visiting areas are notably well-researched. Yet, the conventional studies in the tourism-environmental domain often take a reductionist approach towards the complex issue of human behaviour that is criticized for its shortcomings. Therefore, to fill this gap, this dissertation develops and tests a theoretical model, drawing on the complexity theory and emerging concepts, i.e. dualistic-passion paradigm, and mindfulness notion, to predict the potential source of pro-environmental behaviour. The results indicate the complexity of the antecedents forming pro-environmental behaviour and the existence of contrarian cases that runs counter to the main effect in linear approaches. Therefore, following Fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) of a sample from visitors to marine turtles in Cyprus, the study found seven unique causal recipes that lead to a high level of pro-environmental behaviour. Moreover, the study found 2 recipes that lead to low level of pro-environmental behaviour. Following predictive validity of the configural model, implications for theory and practice are presented. Further, guidelines for future research and limitations are discussed. Keywords: Pro-environmental Behaviour, Mindfulness, Passion, fsQCA, Marine Turtles, North Cyprus
Impact of Innovation-oriented HRM System on Perceived Coworker Support, Absorptive Capacity, Employee Satisfaction, and Performance in Nigerian Airport Industry
In the tourism and hospitality industry, the airport is the first and last point of tourist contact in any country. The passenger-contact employees generally give an impression about not only their organization but also the country; as such, it is imperative to understand factors that affect their satisfaction because a satisfied employee is a satisfied customer. Therefore, it is essential to investigate how the organizational domain of the industry can affect employee performance as this reflects on employee satisfaction. Using Ability‐Motivation‐Opportunity (AMO) Theory and Organizational Support Theory (OST), this dissertation the influence of innovation-oriented human resource system on employee satisfaction and performance in Nigerian international airports. Using a three time-lagged design with a one-week interval, a total number of 300 questionnaires were distributed to passenger-contact employees and their managers, and a total of 247 were used for the data analysis. Results from data analysis showed that co-worker support and absorptive capacity mediate the impact of innovation-based human resources management (HRM) on employee satisfaction and performance. Theory-based implications for managers of passenger-contact employees as well as contributions for literature were also given. A significant strength of this study is that it is among the forerunners of scholars that investigated innovation-based HRM as a continuum rather than different aspects of broader management issues. Keywords: Innovation-based HRM; employee performance; employee satisfaction; absorptive capacity; Nigeria.
Understanding the Role of Spiritual Leadership on Group Innovativeness: A Parallel Mediation Approach
In this dissertation, a theoretical and empirical intervening model was proposed and tested. The model investigated the both the direct and mediated effect of spiritual leadership on employees’ group innovativeness (GI) via workplace bullying (WPB) and tolerance to incivility (TTI) as mediating variables, under the lens of spiritual leadership theory, social exchange theory, and intrinsic motivation theory. Three hundred and sixty-eight full-time employees of four-star and five-star hotels in İzmir and Bodrum regions of Turkey were engaged in the survey. Data generated from this sample were analyzed using Structural equation modeling (SEM). The results show that spiritual leadership significantly predicted group innovativeness; workplace bullying and partially mediated this relationship. The findings of this thesis enrich spiritual leadership-workplace mistreatment-innovativeness nexus in hospitality management literature. Explicitly, the results implied that managers could draw on the tenets of love, hope, and vision of spiritual leadership theory in designing organizational goals and vision to foster meaningfulness climate that will deter the presence of bullying or incivility. Keywords: Spiritual leadership, Bullying, Tolerance to incivility, Group innovativeness, Turkey.
Acceptance of Young Travelers to Purchase Travel and Tourism Products Online
The Internet takes an important place in people's daily life and replaces face-to-face communication. Young people are more high-tech oriented and use the Internet more frequent and faster compare to the older generations. One of the reasons for them to use it is to purchase travel and tourism (T&T) products for their travels. However, there are also young travelers who resist to do so due to the lack of trust, self-efficacy and controllability over online T&T products shopping. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to investigate acceptance of young travelers to purchase travel and tourism products online. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) has been applied in this paper, where trust, self-efficacy and controllability (as two components of perceived behavioral control from Theory of Planned Behavior) are considered as external variables. Furthermore, initial constructs of the model as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, behavioral intention and actual behavior are followed accordingly. The questionnaires were distributed to the students who are studying in the North Cyprus, Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (n = 545). Two groups of the young people emerge: purchasers and non-purchasers of T&T products online. Reasons regarding their choice will give an understanding for travel and tourism industry professionals, suppliers, and marketers. The results show that behavioral intention and self-efficacy prevent non-purchasers to purchase T&T products online. Trust, according to the findings, is still critical and influential determinant for both groups. Furthermore, the results reveal that all variables of the research model positively affect the investigated behavior. Keywords: Young Travelers, Online Purchase, Travel and Tourism Products, Technology Acceptance Model, Self-Efficacy, Controllability, Trust.
Motivators and Perceptions of Residents in North Cyprus towards Medical Tourism in Turkey
Health is the most important factor in humans’ life. A quality healthcare service for reasonable price is one of the basic rights of a person. Health tourism and medical tourism is one of the trend topics in the world but for North Cyprus residents only few researches have been conducted. This thesis will examine North Cyprus residents’ per-ceptions toward medical tourism in both North Cyprus as well as in Turkey. The main reason for researching North Cyprus resident’s perception is to find out why they are choosing Turkey as a main medical tourism spot instead of staying in North Cyprus. In addition, it is examined what are the motivator factors for North Cyprus residents to travel Turkey for medical treatment purpose. The survey conducted with 430 North Cyprus residents. According to results of this research, it is find out that North Cyprus residents have a positive perception towards medical tourism In Turkey. Also when it is compared with medical tourism in North Cyprus, the results showed that residents are expecting more inconveniences than the Turkey’s medical tourism. Keywords: Medical Tourism, Turkey, North Cyprus, Residents, Perceptions, Motiva-tors.
Effect of Destination Image on Revisit Intention and Environmentally Responsible Behavior through Tourist Satisfaction in Famagusta City of North Cyprus
Nowadays, tourism academicians and other tourism sector's stakeholders mainly concern about how to decrease the adverse effects of tourism development on our planet. Therefore, the development of environmentally responsible behavior (ERB) among tourists becomes a vital issue for sustainable tourism development. This thesis explores how destination image (DI) can affect revisit intention (RI) and environmentally responsible behavior (ERB) through tourist satisfaction. Famagusta city in Northern Cyprus is chosen as the research site because of its needs for destination image, repeat visitors, and environmentally responsible behaviors in the island as a destination. To achieve the current study’s goal, a survey was conducted by distributing a questionnaire to tourists who are visiting the Famagusta city. The data collected from 200 participants were analyzed with SPSS and AMOS software. The findings showed that components of destination image positively influenced satisfaction, revisit intention, and environmentally responsible behavior. Furthermore, it has been observed that the satisfaction mediated the influence of destination image on the two dependent variables whilst also having a direct effect on them. Moreover, the findings revealed several implications for developing environmentally responsible behavior among the local and international tourists and increasing the level of revisit intentions. Keywords: Destination Image, Tourist Satisfaction, Environmentally Responsible Behavior, Revisit Intention, Northern Cyprus, Famagusta.
Perceptions of Tourism Impacts and Sustainability Concept: Insights from Kyrgyzstan
Tourism development is mainly dependent upon socio-cultural, economic and environmental factors. This study explores the perceptions of environmental, socio-cultural and economic impacts of tourism development by the representatives of government officials, the academicians and the private sectors in Kyrgyzstan. In this scope, all three dimensions (economic, socio-cultural and environmental) need to be identified whether it has negative impacts such as cost of living, environmental degradation, pollution or imitation of foreign behaviors and culture or the positive impacts such as job creation, increased willingness to understand the different cultures and protection of nature and wildlife. Thus, if it is not planned, managed, or monitored competently, the outcome could bring fundamental consequences and it will not only hinder the further development of tourism but also might damage the residents‘ lifestyle. In order to achieve the aims and objectives of the thesis, a qualitative approach was used by applying a semi-structured interview for the data collection process. The research has revealed that current tourism development in Kyrgyzstan has both negative and positive impacts on economy, culture, and environment. Furthermore, in the light of the collected data, the main tourism development stimulators were identified such as the promotion of cultural identity and pride, enhancement of environmental quality and new perspectives to improve the quality of life. Social exchange theory was an appropriate theoretical framework to apply for this study as the sustainability concept encompasses the three dimensions of tourism development and sustainability recognizes the importance of the participation of all stakeholders in tourism development. Moreover, the residents are identified as the imperative stakeholders in tourism planning and development. Therefore, it is expected to be aware that sustainable tourism development recognizes and emphases that local residents are important stakeholders. The subject of sustainability has taken attention of many researchers in the recent years, however, these investigations were taken extensively in some developed countries rather than developing countries. Therefore, in addition, the study attempts to explore the awareness of sustainability concept of the experts and practitioners in Kyrgyzstan. The results showed that there is a lack of understanding of the concept particularly among the government officials and the private sector representatives. Moreover, the sustainability concept seems to remain invisible in the practice despite the fact that respondents had some awareness of the subject. Keywords: Sustainable Tourism, Tourism Development, Economic Impacts, Socio-cultural Impacts, Environmental Impacts, Kyrgyzstan
How Does Destination Social Responsibility Influence Support for Educational Tourism Development? The Mediating Roles of Perceived Benefits and Quality of Life
Although there is a rise in the studies on educational tourism, no investigation has done on the impact of educational tourism destination social responsibility (DSR) on residents The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between DSR, perceived benefit (BEN), quality of life (QOL), and support (SUP) for the development of educational tourism. The mediating roles of perceived benefits and QOL of the residents were examined in this study and it was analyzed with a sample of 326 respondents staying in Famagusta, North Cyprus. The outcome of this investigation reveals that DSR has direct positive effects on BEN and QOL as well as BEN and QOL have direct positive effects on support. Besides that, perceived benefit and quality of life played important roles in mediation in the relationship between DSR and support. This thesis provides the implications for decision-makers, planners, and practitioners along with the results obtained based on the theory of social exchange. Keywords: Tourism Development, Destination Social Responsibility, Perceived Benefit, Quality of Life, Residents‟ Support,Educational Tourism, North Cyprus
Residents’ Perceptions of Economic, Social and Environmental Impacts on Tourism Development in Jos Nigeria
Studying the impacts of tourism on destination is very important for sustainable development and improvement of the resident’s welfare regarding community development. This thesis investigates the perception of residents about the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism in Jos Nigeria. A survey was undertaken to assess the factors that influence the perceptions of the residents. The questionnaire was distributed to 615 sampled residents from three local governments (Jos North, Jos East and Jos South) in Jos Nigeria. Outcomes of the study display significant variances on socio-demographic variables regarding the perception of tourism impacts on the location of the study. The principal result of this study showed that residents hold higher perceptions on all the positive economic, social and environmental impacts and subsequently, have a lower perception on the negative impacts. The findings of this study show that perceptions of tourism impacts are significantly different regarding positive environmental, negative economic, negative social and negative environmental impacts based on gender. The findings also showed that age causes significant differences on the positive social, positive environmental and negative economic impact of tourism to the location. Further findings showed that the marital status of the residents holds a significant difference on the negative economic impact in the study. Finally, the number of kids of the residents holds a significant effect on the positive economic, positive social and positive environmental impact of tourism to the location. Keywords: Tourism Environmental Impacts, Economic Impacts, Socio-cultural Impacts, Tourism Development, Perception of Residents.