The ethical dimension of travel agencies business in changing business environment (Serbia) – employees’ attitudes vs. employees’ conduct expected by management

Karolina Simat; Aleksandra Dragin; Vanja Pavlukovic; Slobodanka Markov

doi:10.5937/gp23-16828

Karolina Simat Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Aleksandra Dragin Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Vanja Pavlukovic Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Slobodanka Markov Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/gp23-16828

Keywords: ethical responsibility, business environment, ethical management, travel agent,

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to provide an empirical study of employees’ ethical behavior in travel and tourism industry. A survey research was done in 2012 in the Republic of Serbia among employees in travel agencies as one of the most important subjects in heterogeneous structure of travel and tourism industry, using a questionnaire designed according to the basic theoretical principles of professional ethics. Dealing with the issue of ethical responsibility of employees in travel agencies, this work examines whether employees have business ethics awareness and what kind of individual and corporate social responsibility as part of business environment is undertaken in this regard. The findings of the study showed that employees of travel agencies are ready to act in an ethical manner, although it is the opposite of management attitudes in specific situations. Finally, the paper provides a critical evaluation of entrepreneurial activities and obstacles that travel agencies encounter while operating in the Serbian economy in transition.

Author Biographies

Karolina Simat, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad

Karolina Simat is a PhD student of Geosciences, modul Tourism, at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management. Her field of interest is business ethics in tourism industry.

Aleksandra Dragin, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad

Aleksandra Dragin is an Associate Proffesor at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management. Her fields of interest are cultural dimensions and communication in tourism, demographic transition and tourism development, selective forms of tourism, business ethics and corporate social responsibility.

Vanja Pavlukovic, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad

Vanja Pavlukovic is an Assistant Professor at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management. Her fields of interest are tourism and business events.

Slobodanka Markov, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad

Slobodanka Markov is a Fulltime Professor at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management. Her field of interest is sociology.

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