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"Perception"
research Vol. 4, No. 1 (2026) • pp. 47-63

The glass ceiling experiences and professional challenges of female employees in travel agencies: A qualitative study in Düzce province

Muhammet Caner Kaya, Meryem Muhafiz, Ezgi Aydemir, Meryem Demirkal, Hilal Akyol

Women’s participation in the workforce has increased in various sectors both globally and in Turkey following the Industrial Revolution. However, despite this increase, women remain underrepresented in senior management positions. This situation points to the existence of invisible barriers that limit women’s career advancement and is explained in the literature by the concept of the “glass ceiling.” The purpose of this study is to examine the phenomenon of the glass ceiling that women face in their professional lives, the validity of this phenomenon under current conditions, and the difficulties women encounter in their participation in the workforce, specifically within the context of the tourism sector. In the literature, glass ceiling barriers are generally addressed in three dimensions: individual, organizational, and societal. Individual barriers are associated with women’s self-confidence, career perceptions, and professional attitudes; organizational barriers are linked to internal organizational practices, promotion processes, and discriminatory approaches; and societal barriers are related to traditional gender roles and expectations regarding work-life balance. The tourism sector is one of the areas where female employees’ experiences with the glass ceiling have become more visible due to long working hours, a fast-paced work environment, a seasonal employment structure, and working conditions that require emotional labor. Accordingly, this study was conducted within a qualitative research framework to examine the professional experiences of women working at Group A travel agencies in Düzce Province and to identify the barriers they face in their career development. Data for the study were collected through semi-structured interviews with three female participants and analyzed using content analysis. The study found that individual, organizational, and societal barriers affect women’s career development to varying degrees; recommendations were developed to strengthen women’s employment in the tourism sector and support their career development processes.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21378221
Research Papers Vol. 3, No. 2 (2025) • pp. 67-85

Socio-cultural, economic and environmental impacts of tourism from the perspective of local people: A field study in the context of sustainability

Gökhan Onat, Ramazan YAĞCI, Hümeyra KASAR, Ömer ERTAN, Hamza YILMAZ

The purpose of this study is to examine the environmental, socio-cultural, and economic perceptions of the local population living in the provinces of Rize and Trabzon in the Eastern Black Sea Region regarding sustainable tourism development within the framework of stakeholder theory and to reveal whether these perceptions differ according to demographic variables. A quantitative research design was adopted in the study; data were obtained from 360 participants reached through convenience sampling via a questionnaire prepared using a 5-point Likert scale. The construct validity of the scale was tested using exploratory factor analysis, and its reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. In addition to descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used in the analysis of the data. The research findings show that the local community's perceptions of the economic effects of tourism are highly positive, while they exhibit a more cautious attitude regarding environmental and socio-cultural effects. Furthermore, it was determined that perceptions of economic sustainability significantly strengthened with increasing education level and income; age, marital status, and monthly income variables created significant differences in some sustainability dimensions. In contrast, no significant differences in perceptions were found based on gender, income from tourism, and place of residence variables. The research highlights the decisive role of local community perceptions in the success of sustainable tourism policies; it contributes to the development of region-specific governance and planning strategies aimed at strengthening local participation within the stakeholder theory framework.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18115780
Research Papers Vol. 3, No. 1 (2025) • pp. 11-16

Accessible tourism in Cappadocia: a qualitative study from the perspective of tourism stakeholders

Fatmagül Hanbal, Koray Çamlıca

This study aims to examine the current state of accessible tourism in the Cappadocia region through the perceptions of tourism stakeholders. Adopting a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 tourism professionals, and thematic analysis was applied. The findings reveal that despite the region's natural and historical appeal, accessibility for individuals with disabilities is limited due to physical infrastructure deficiencies, inadequate staff training, and geographical challenges. Participants made recommendations emphasizing infrastructure improvements, training programs, and the role of local authorities. The research highlights the need for systemic interventions to make Cappadocia an inclusive destination, contributing to sustainable tourism policies.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16951209
Research Papers Vol. 3, No. 1 (2025) • pp. 25-37

Determining the obstacles and attitudes of Generation Z consumers towards organic labeled food

Berkan Şenberber, Gülşah Çağlak, Bahar Karaören, Sena Keşoğlu, Lokman Dinç

Increasing health concerns and environmental worries on a global scale have rapidly increased consumer interest in organic foods, leading to significant growth in organic food production and retail. The Z generation, in particular, differs from other generations in terms of the values, social norms, and lifestyles that shape their consumption habits. The aim of this study is to reveal Generation Z consumers' attitudes, perceptions, and barriers regarding organic-labeled foods. A qualitative research approach was adopted in the study, and data was collected from 16 participants studying gastronomy using a semi-structured interview technique. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive analysis methods, and seven main themes were identified through a manual coding process: natural environment, healthy and nutritious, limitations, unhealthy and harmful, level of knowledge, taste perception, and desired organic foods. The findings show that Generation Z has positive attitudes towards organic food, but these attitudes are difficult to translate into behavior due to factors such as high prices, limited access, and time constraints. The study interprets the findings within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991). According to this theory, positive attitudes and social norms increase young people's intention to consume organic food, but when perceived behavioral control is weak, an intention-behavior gap emerges. The results indicate that the organic food sector needs to strengthen its emphasis on health and naturalness in its marketing strategies targeting young consumers, increase social media and influencer collaborations, and develop solutions to reduce access and pricing barriers. The research contributes to the literature theoretically and provides practical recommendations to practitioners.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17159981
Research Papers Vol. 2, No. 2 (2024) • pp. 43-58

The role of perfectionism in enhancing job performance in İzmir destination hotels

Cemre Çankaya Altuntaş, Meral Dursun Küçükoğlu

Perfectionism is the behavior of people who set goals that are difficult to achieve in order to be perfect, to reach perfection and to exhibit high performance. Job performance, on the other hand, is the behavior of employees in a business in accordance with the purpose of the business while fulfilling their duties. Hotel businesses are labor-intensive businesses and the human element is of great importance. Job performance is affected by factors such as personality traits and behaviors of employees. Therefore, it is thought that perfectionism, which is known as a personality trait, may affect the job performance levels of employees. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between perfectionism perceptions of hotel employees and their job performance. In obtaining the research data, a questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. Convenience sampling method was used in the study and the population of the study consists of employees working in four and five star hotels in Izmir. The data obtained were analyzed with SPSS and AMOS programs. According to the results of the analysis, there is a significant relationship between perfectionism perception and job performance. In addition, it was concluded that perfectionism perception has a positive effect on job performance. According to this result, positive developments in employees' perceptions of perfectionism will positively affect their job performance levels.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14499170
Research Papers Vol. 2, No. 1 (2024) • pp. 25-33

The Future Role of Edible Insects: A Study on Perception and Acceptance among Chefs in Mersin Province

Yunus Doğan, Cevat Ercik, Akın Akpur

The aim of this study is to determine the approaches regarding the incorporation of edible insects into Turkish cuisine in the event of a potential food crisis. In this context, data were collected using a semi-structured survey technique. The participants of the study consist of 15 professional chefs operating in the province of Mersin. The obtained data were analyzed through content analysis using MAXQDA software. The researchers tabulated and explained the coding of participants' responses and the frequency analyses of the words used. According to the research results, it was determined that the prevailing opinion among the chefs is that edible insects would currently be negatively received by customers. However, in a scarcity situation, they could be integrated into Turkish cuisine through blending and fusion cooking techniques.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13982774
Research Papers Vol. 1, No. 1 (2023) • pp. 1-14

Is there an intergenerational difference in the perception of tourist guide service quality?

Dilan Arabacıoğlu

The perceived service quality offered by tourist guides is regarded as a significant determinant in travelers' overall satisfaction with their tour experience. The objective of this study is to ascertain the variations in the opinion of service quality among tourists from different generations with regards to tourist guides. The qualitative research method of interview technique was employed within the parameters of this study. The data for this study were obtained from a sample of 30 participants who engaged in guided tours. These individuals belonged to the X, Y, and Z generations, and their responses were gathered through semi-structured interviews.  The study's demographic comprises travelers belonging to Generations X, Y, and Z who have actively engaged in guided tour experiences. The study employed stratified purposive sampling as its sampling technique. The data were subjected to analysis using the MAXQDA 2022 software. Based on the findings of the investigation, it was determined that there exist variations in the perception of tourist guide services across different generations.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8416415
Theoretical paper Vol. 1, No. 1 (2023) • pp. 15-23

Navigating tourist preferences: The role of cognitive shortcuts in destination choice

Yusuf Karakuş

Theoretical research explores the intricate process of tourist destination selection, focusing on cognitive psychology and cognitive shortcuts. These cognitive shortcuts, which simplify decision-making, are studied in the context of visitor choices. Drawing from cognitive psychology, consumer behavior, and tourism studies, the study comprehensively examines cognitive heuristics, how they relate to perception, motivation, trust, and preferences. Influential factors include destination image, marketing, risk perception, and culture. The study not only enhances understanding but also offers practical insights for Destination Management Organizations. Strategies include shaping destination image, addressing travel risks, and reducing choice overload. In essence, this research illuminates the cognitive shortcuts shaping tourist preferences and provides guidance for adapting to the evolving travel landscape.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10053678