Exploring Social Entrepreneurship in Birdwatching-based Ecotourism: A Delphi Study of a Birdwatching NGO, Iran

Yıl 2024, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 1, 41 - 59

Emre Ozan Aksöz , Sanaz Tamimzadeh

Öz

This paper presents a qualitative Delphi study on the AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society in Iran to explore social entrepreneurship strategies in birdwatching-based ecotourism. Utilizing semi-structured interviews with eight experts from the sector, the research identifies critical approaches like community involvement, educational initiatives, and collaborative efforts with stakeholders. The findings highlight innovative strategies such as diversified birdwatching tours and local and international expertise integration. Challenges include funding, logistical constraints, and balancing ecological conservation with economic development. The study contributes to understanding the role of NGOs in sustainable tourism, offering insights for similar initiatives globally. It underscores the importance of community engagement and multi-stakeholder collaboration in promoting sustainable ecotourism practices.

Anahtar Kelimeler

social entrepreneurship, birdwatching,, ecotoursim, delphi study

Kuş Gözlemciliğine Dayalı Ekoturizmde Sosyal Girişimciliğin Yeri: İran'da Kuş Gözlemciliği Yapan Bir STK'ya Yönelik Delphi Çalışması

Öz

Bu makale, kuş gözlemciliğine dayalı ekoturizmde sosyal girişimcilik stratejilerini keşfetmek için İran'daki AvayeBoom Kuşları Koruma Derneği üzerine nitel bir Delphi çalışması sunmaktadır. Sektörden sekiz uzmanla yapılan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmelerden faydalanan araştırma, toplum katılımı, eğitim girişimleri ve paydaşlarla işbirliği çabaları gibi kritik yaklaşımları tanımlamaktadır. Bulgular, çeşitlendirilmiş kuş gözlem turları ve yerel ve uluslararası uzmanlık entegrasyonu gibi yenilikçi stratejileri vurgulamaktadır. Karşılaşılan zorluklar arasında finansman, lojistik kısıtlamalar ve ekolojik koruma ile ekonomik kalkınmanın dengelenmesi yer almaktadır. Çalışma, STK'ların sürdürülebilir turizmdeki rolünün anlaşılmasına katkıda bulunmakta ve küresel ölçekteki benzer girişimler için içgörüler sunmaktadır. Sürdürülebilir ekoturizm uygulamalarının teşvik edilmesinde toplum katılımının ve çok paydaşlı işbirliğinin önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

sosyal girişimcilik, kuş gözlemciliği, ekoturizm, delfi tekniği

Kaynakça

• Butler, R. (1999). Sustainable tourism: A state-of-the-art review. Tourism Geographies, 1(1), 7-25.
• Butler, R. W. (1980). The concept of a tourist area cycle of evolution: Implications for management of resources. Canadian Geographer, 24(1), 5-12.
• Certo, S. T., & Miller, T. (2008). Social entrepreneurship: Key issues and concepts. Business Horizons, 51(4), 267-271.
• Dadkhah, M., Rahimnia, F., & Filimonau, V. (2022). Evaluating the opportunities, challenges and risks of applying the blockchain technology in tourism: A Delphi study approach. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 13(5), 922-954.
• Dacin, P. A., Dacin, M. T., & Matear, M. (2010). Social entrepreneurship: Why we don't need a new theory and how we move forward from here. Academy of Management Perspectives, 24(3), 37-57.
• Dees, J. G. (2001). The meaning of "social entrepreneurship". Stanford University.
• Elkington, J. (1997). The triple bottom line. Environmental management: Readings and cases, 2, 49-66.
• Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic management: A stokcholder approach. Pitman.
• Hardy, C., Lawrence, T. B., & Grant, D. (2005). Discourse and collaboration: The role of conversations and collective identity. Academy of Management Review, 30(1), 58-77.
• Haugh, H. (2005). A research agenda for social entrepreneurship. Social Enterprise Journal, 1(1), 1-12.
• Hvenegaard, G. T. (1994). Ecotourism: A status report and conceptual framework. Journal of Tourism Studies, 5(2), 24-35.
• Hsu, C. C., & Sandford, B. A. (2007). Minimizing non-response in the Delphi process: How to respond to non-response. Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation, 12(1), 17.
• Jafari, J., & Brent Ritchie, J. R. (1981). Towards a framework for tourism education: Problems and prospects. Annals of Tourism Research, 8(1), 13-34.
• Konu, H. (2015). Developing nature-based tourism products with customers by utilising the Delphi method. Tourism Management Perspectives, 14, 42-54.
• Lee, C. F., & King, B. E. (2008). Using the Delphi method to assess the potential of Taiwan's hot springs tourism sector. International Journal of Tourism Research, 10(4), 341-352.
• Leech, B. L. (2013). Asking Questions: Techniques for Semistructured Interviews. PS: Political Science & Politics, 35(4), 665-668.
• Leigh, J., Webster, C., & Ivanov, S. (Eds.). (2013). Future Tourism: Political, Social and Economic Challenges. Routledge.
• Linstone, H. A., & Turoff, M. (Eds.). (1975). The Delphi method: Techniques and Applications. Addison-Wesley. Mair, J., & Marti, I. (2006). Social entrepreneurship research: A source of explanation, prediction, and delight. Journal of World Business, 41(1), 36-44.
• Mair, J., & Noboa, E. (2006). Social entrepreneurship: How intentions to create a social enterprise get formed. In Social entrepreneurship (pp. 121-135). Palgrave Macmillan, London.
• Martino, J. P. (1983). Technological forecasting for decision making (3rd ed.). Elsevier.
• Parrish, B. D. (2010). Sustainability-driven entrepreneurship: Principles of organization design. Journal of Business Venturing, 25(5), 510-523.
• Peredo, A. M., & McLean, M. (2006). Social entrepreneurship: A critical review of the concept. Journal of World Business, 41(1), 56-65.
• Reed, M. S. (2008). Stakeholder participation for environmental management: A literature review. Biological Conservation, 141(10), 2417-2431.
• Scheyvens, R. (1999). Ecotourism and the empowerment of local communities. Tourism Management, 20(2), 245-249.
• Short, J. C., Moss, T. W., & Lumpkin, G. T. (2009). Research in social entrepreneurship: Past contributions and future opportunities. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 3(2), 161-194.
• Sourani, A., & Sohail, M. (2015). Insights into the Delphi Methodology: Application and Analysis in Construction Management. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 11(1), 54-76.
• Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: the nature and micro foundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319-1350.
• Steven, R., Pickering, C., & Castley, J. G. (2015). A review of the impacts of nature-based recreation on birds. Journal of Environmental Management, 92(10), 2287-2294.
• Sullivan Mort, G., Weerawardena, J., & Carnegie, K. (2003). Social entrepreneurship: Towards conceptualization. International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing, 8(1), 76-88.
• Swarbrooke, J. (1999). Sustainable tourism management. CABI.
• Weidman, J. C., Twale, D. J., & Stein, E. L. (2011). Socialization of graduate and professional students in higher education: A perilous passage? ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report, 28(3). Jossey-Bass.