Title:
PROACTIVE BEHAVIOR OF EMPLOYEES AND ITS IMPACT ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF TOURISM ORGANIZATIONS: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE OPINIONS OF A SAMPLE OF MANAGERS AND EXPERTS IN THE TOURISM AUTHORITY IN IRAQ

Authors:
Layla Jawad Hussein Al Masoudi, Iraq

Abstract:
The research topic sheds light on the nature of the relationship between the proactive behavior of employees and the sustainability of tourism organizations for a sample of managers and experts in the Tourism Authority in Iraq, as it seeks to achieve several cognitive and practical goals. The research problem lies in the lack of sufficient direction to enhance the proactive behavior of workers within tourism organizations to achieve sustainability due to the nature of the challenges and pressures they face, which are sometimes characterized by difficult (internal and external) circumstances. Therefore, questions were developed that reflect perceptions of the problem in their laboratory. The importance of the research lies in trying to describe reality and address the issues facing the development and sustainability of tourism organizations because of this sector’s great importance to society and the economic environment. In light of this, a hypothetical diagram was built that embodies the relationship between the research variables, and a set of primary and subhypotheses emerged from it. Adopting the descriptive analytical approach, the sample targeted the research community of (78) members (general director, department director, division official, assistant general manager, assistant director, and expert) in the Tourism Authority, which consists of (the office of the head of the authority, the administrative and financial department, inspection and follow-up, Tourist facilities, tourist groups, (60) questionnaires were distributed. After evaluating and testing the reliability and stability of the research measurement tools, data analysis, and hypothesis testing were conducted using advanced statistical methods and analysis using statistical programs (SPSS.V.23). The results showed the validity of the research hypotheses. Based on them, several conclusions were formulated that recommend the need for the researched tourism organizations to be aware of the proactive behavior of the two employees. The research concluded with several suggestions for other future studies.