EXAMINING THE MINDFULNESS LEVELS OF AVIATION EMPLOYEES ACCORDING TO DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES: THE CASE OF FRAPORT TAV ANTALYA AIRPORT

Abstract

Along with the world order, the aviation industry is also developing and changing. This change in the industry brings many positive and negative aspects. It is thought that the way to increase positive events and to eliminate negative events or to reduce their effects may be related to the level of mindfulness of the employees.

Aim: In this study, it is aimed to investigate whether the mindfulness levels of aviation employees differentiate according to their demographic characteristics.

Design / Methodology / Approach: Data of the research were collected from 259 employees of Fraport TAV Antalya Airport by online survey method in September 2021. The first part of the survey includes questions about the demographic characteristics of employees, while the second part contains questions about the level of mindfulness. The "Mindful Attention Awareness Scale" was used in the study, and the reliability value of the scale was determined as 0,85. Variance and t-test analyses were used to determine how the mindfulness levels of aviation employees differentiate according to their demographic characteristics.

Findings - Findings indicate that the mindfulness levels of aviation employees significantly differ depending on age and total seniority, however, there is no significant difference depending on gender, marital status, education, managerial responsibility, working style, and seniority in the organization.

Originality / Value: In the context of the sensitive work environment of airports, employees are expected to pay attention to each case and the situation they encounter while they are working. This can be an explanation why demographic variables exhibit limited significant differences at their mindfulness levels. New researches with different demographic variables in different airports can generate available data to observe how mindfulness levels of employees are distinguished.