CAREER CHANGE AND DISSATISFACTION REASONS OF HOTEL MANAGERS: ANKARA EXAMPLE

Career change models evaluates career change as a separate variable apart from turnover. Despite comprehensive researches on this matter, few studies examined career change and the leading factors. The purpose of this article is to explain the reasons underlying career change of hotel managers. In the study, career change decisions of young hotel managers is examined depending on grounded theory approach. In order to explain career change decisions of managers in hotel companies in Ankara, data obtained through a set of open-ended interviews performed with young managers who have quited job were analyzed. It was paid special attention on the fact that all respondents were working in another job except hotel industry during the research; but worked as entrylevel hotel manager in their previous careers. Interviews were performed on skype or face to face. Interview protocol was applied depending on suggestions in Grounded Theory and Damaske which enables carrying out a systematical analysis between respondents. In line with interviews conducted with young managers who have changed their careers in hotel industry in Ankara, three factors influencing their turnover decision were found. These three factors leading career change are job satisfaction dimension, daily life-work conflicts and weak ties. It is considered this study would contribute to available knowledge of senior managers via explaining the effect of job satisfaction-based expectations of young managers, daily life-work conflicts and weak relations on reasons underlying possible career change.