Analysis of the relationship among work engagement, work locus of control, passion and parasites in hotels

Increasing competition along with globalization have directed tourism enterprises to quality and differentiation in products based on customer demands and expectations. Skillful employees that are able to make a difference in the organization and are affiliated with work and organization are crucial for the sustainability and profitability in businesses. The presence of engaged employees is important in hospitality businesses where client interaction is intensively experienced. Accommodation operations should be closely related to issues such as being engaged, passion and the quality of relationships among colleagues in the recruitment and training of the right employee. In the study, it was aimed to determine the relationship among work engagement, work locus of control, passion and perceived parasites. Cesme as a tourism destination with increasing tourism activities and awarenes day by day was chosen as a research area. Attempts were made to reach all employees of five-star hotels operating in the province, and attitudes of employees were measured using survey technique. First, descriptive statistics were obtained by using the Statistical Data Analysis Programme using the data obtained by the structured questionnaire. Then the data were analyzed by the Structural Equation Modelling- one of the multivariate analysis method- using the Lisrel 8.71 Program. In the model based on theory, causal relations and mediating effects were tested among variables. According to the data, the perceived outbound parasites and work engagement interaction was fully mediated by external work locus of control in hotels. The internal work locus of control and work engagement interaction was partially mediated by harmonious passion. In addition, there was a positive vi relationship between internal work locus of control and harmonious and obsessive passion, and a positive relationship between external work locus of control and obsessive passion. Key Words: 1) Work Engagement 2) Work Locus of Control 3) Passion 4) Parasites in Organizations 5) Accommodation 6) Structural Equation Modeling vii