Information technology in small and medium sized hospitality enterprises in Turkey

ABSTRACT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED HOSPITALITY ENTERPRISES IN TURKEY Medet YOLAL Department of Tourism and Hotel Management Institute of Social Sciences, Anadolu University, January 2003 Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Perran AKAN Information technologies has become an important tool in the production and distribution of services as well as manufactured products. Effectiveness in obtaining information, and efficiency in analyzing and processing it gives a company a competitive edge in the global environment of today's world. Although the use of information technologies by the hospitality industry is increasing due to decreasing prices of hardware and software, there are still some factors inhibiting the use of information technologies by the hospitality firms. In this study, the factors effecting the use of information technologies both negatively or positively, in the small and medium - sized hospitality firms in Turkey were studied through the use of a model developed on the basis of an extensive literature survey on the subject. A questionnaire form was developed based on this model and was administered to 576 small and medium-sized hotels all over the country. An analysis of the 135 usable questionnaires received reveal that small and medium-sized hotels do not fully utilize the information technologies available. Factors negatively affecting the use of the information technologies were cited as high cost of installation and fees, lack of personnel and managers qualified in the use of the technology. To overcome the obstacles hindering the adoption of the information technologies by these firms cooperation and coordination between these service firms, public and private organizations involved in tourism, and the firms which act as the providers of information technologies is necessary. Hotels would also benefit a great deal if they combine their efforts together and act as the members of a group rather than as adversaries in the adoption and use of the new technology. This would create a synergy for all members of the industry. Such coordination and cooperationVI among all small and large hotels and the related organizations, will increase the demand for the tourism product offered by these firms through more effective and efficient promotion, and will contribute to the economy of the country as well as the profit potential of all the organizations within the tourism industry.