Transformation process of tourism schools into faculties in Turkey

Abstract

This study aims to explore the reasons for and the process of transformation of the tourism and hospitality management schools into tourism faculties in Turkey. The transformation process started in 2012 in universities, and this study presents witnesses for the early periods of the change. Thematic analysis of qualitative data gathered from focus groups, interviews and documents showed that bringing prestige to the department and attaining a better status both in society and in the university were the main motives for the change. Additionally, discussion of findings with theories of new institutionalism indicated the effects of isomorphic processes, decoupling in organizational practices, and pragmatic approach towards sustaining the former comfortable practices of school structure. Study findings are mostly consistent with early arguments of neo-institutionalism to explain the transformation process but also challenge the theory by discussing the context-specific role of the state to regulate and manipulate the change.