International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences, 2(9) September 2013, Pages: 717-722

TI Journals

International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences

ISSN
2306-7276

www.tijournals.com

Barriers and Challenges to Implementation and

Development of Private Management for Providing
Security in Tehran Recreation Centers
Sayed Ali Akbar Ahmadi 1, Sayed Basir Hosseini *2, Alireza Kafashzadeh 3, Reza Zare 4
1,2,3,4

Department of Public Administration, Payame Noor University, PO BOX 19395 3697, Tehran, Iran.

AR TIC LE INF O

AB STR AC T

Keywords:

The present research intended to investigate barriers and challenges to implementation and
development of private management for providing security in Tehran recreation centers. This
research was a survey descriptive research and its statistical population included all administrators
and experts of the recreation and tourist centers in Tehran in the second half of 2012. The sampling
technique of cluster sampling was used for the research and 84 administrators and experts of
Tehran recreation and tourist centers were selected as research samples. For collecting data the
researcher-made questionnaire was employed. Outcome of the research suggested that economic
and legal barriers were of the most adverse effect on the implementation and development of
private management for providing security in Tehran recreation and tourist centers. Also, based on
findings of the research, lack of peoples social participation and social trust (from the social
dimension) and non-supportive subcultures (from the cultural dimension) were identified as major
factors adversely affecting implementation and development of private management for providing
security in Tehran recreation and tourist centers as well.

Private management
Tourism
Security
Recreation center

2013 Int. j. econ. manag. soc. sci. All rights reserved for TI Journals.

Introduction
Iran is a vast country that enjoys plentiful advantages for economic and industrial activities. Iran, enjoying rich culture, is home to abundant
ancient relics and buildings. This occurs while such potentials have not been employed in favor of economic benefits to the local
communities. Tourism and ecotourism are among the economic opportunities available in the green area in north of Iran; the opportunities
that can promote Iranian national economy and living conditions of its people if the existing security challenges and barriers can be tackled
in the rightful manner. Security and tourism are interdependent both from inner and outer aspects and ups and downs of each will affect the
other one as well. From ecotourism point of view security is of three important disciplinary, economic and environmental aspects each
facing its own serious challenges. It goes without saying that making decisions for removing the security concerns is one of major
responsibilities of every government. Establishment of security can be used as an incentive and motivation for the people and industries in
order for them to bring their services and possibilities and capacities in favor of further promotion of tourism industry [1].
Although promotion of Iran tour and tourism are inevitable due to their several advantages we need to take the existing numerous obstacles
and constraints facing this industry into our account in due process [2].
The comparison between revenues generated by Turkeys tourism industry and Turkish historical, cultural and natural tourist attractions
with those of Iran is showing us how much capacity annually is lost in this industry in Iran. Based on the latest statistics during the previous
year three million Iranians have traveled abroad whose main purpose was recreation and leisure activities. This occurs while during the
same period less number of tourists has arrived in Iran. And currently Irans share of tourism roughly stands at just 0.01% of the world
tourism.

Subject
Iran, in spite of its growth in tourism, still is experiencing a sizable economic gap with its rivals in this area and it has just afforded to
surpass countries like Pakistan and Oman standing equal to Jordan regarding its tourism income from Asia [3].
Studies conducted by international agencies affiliated to the United Nations Organizations are suggesting that by end of 2010 total number
of international tourists amounted to around one billion. Based on the reports produced by the Unite Nations World Tourism Organization
* Corresponding author.
Email address: basir_hoseyni@yahoo.com

Sayed Ali Akbar Ahmadi et al.

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Internati onal Journal of Ec onomy, Mana ge me nt and Soci al Sc iences , 2( 9) Sept ember 2013

(UNWTO) and the Vision Tourism 2020, total number of tourists in the world will reach 1 billion and six hundred millions. In the same
respect the UNWTO has predicted that the Middle-East next after East Asia in the matter of tourism growth and development. UNWTO
experts believe that by 2020 around 69 million people will visit the Middle-East region as compared with the visits paid by around 36
millions in 2010.
Tourism, as one of the most developed industries in the world, will bring more jobs and currencies and it can help promote peace, just
income distribution and cultural exchange bringing nations and peoples closer to each other. Tourism is the safest, cleanest and cheapest
ways to generate revenues [4]. And the public and private sectors both can play significant roles in providing security in the recreation and
tourist centers [5].

Through establishment of required infrastructures the public sector can play a fundamental role in further development of this industry.
Out of the most significant tasks of the public sector in this field we need to refer to the macro management and adoption of general
policies. This sector shall take the existing potentials in this industry into its account and approve the required budget providing the needed
infrastructures in order to encourage the private sector to invest in this field in Iran. The public sector shall take required measures in order
for tourists feel safe and secure by developing road networks, providing modern airport equipments, promoting airport facilities and
transportation systems. Tourists feeling of safety, socially and psychologically, is considered as an important factor in favor of tourism
development that is needed to be dealt with by adoption of required rules and regulations. Out of other measures needed to be adopted by
the public sector include development of human resources and establishment of relevant specialized training centers, adoption of supportive
rules and regulations in favor of further internal and foreign investments in this area and provision of required basis for the foreign tourists
to visit Iran by adopting information and publicity measures.
In other words it can be admitted that specialized macro management supersedes all other factors in further development of tourism. And
long and short term strategic programs can provide the required ground for development and promotion of this industry in the future [6].
The private sector makes investment only if it feels that its capitals are invested in a safe and secure place and environment. This sector
shall firstly take the tourism master plan prepared by the public sector into its account and then put its projects into practice. Building of
hotels and recreation facilities, establishment of travel and tour agencies, organization of tours to Iran for foreign tourists, providing tourists
with required information for traveling to different Iranian cities , all, are the measures that can promote and develop tourism leading to
further dynamism of this industry. It goes without saying that the private sector can also play a remarkable role in favor of further security
of tourists by introducing different plans and programs [7].
At the same time it is so important to notify that in providing security to tourist sites and tourists until now the public sector has played the
major role in form of tourist police and the private sector and management has never played a notable role in this area. Therefore given the
available fruitful experiences in the field of tourist sites and tourists security in the world the present research intended to discuss and
investigate this important subject.

Research methodology
The present research was a survey descriptive one. The Statistical population of the present research included all administrators and experts
of the recreation and tourist centers in Tehran in the second half of 2012. The sampling technique of cluster sampling was used for the
research and 84 administrators and experts of recreation and tourist centers were selected as research samples. For collecting data the
research-made questionnaire was employed. This questionnaire included questions raised in two sections: a- Questions relating to general
information on education, work experience, age and field of education and b- Questions relating to effect of economic barriers (6
questions), effect of legal barriers (6 questions), effect of social barriers (6 questions), effect of cultural barriers (6 questions) and effect of
political barriers on recreation centers security. The questions were confirmed due to consultations made with relevant elites and decision
makers. After examination of reliability and validity of the questionnaire the required data and information collected accordingly. Types of
the questions within the questionnaire were closed-ended and the 5 point LIKERT scale was used consisting of five options including very
little, little, moderate, much, very much. And the scoring took place based on the 5 points ranging from 1 (very little) to 5 (very much). It is
to be mentioned that the questionnaire was made by the researcher based on the research hypotheses and factors questioned in the research
were the same components of dependent and independent variables directly or indirectly questioned in the questionnaire.
Table 1.Cronbachs alpha coefficients of the subscales of the research
Questionnaire
Economic barriers
Legal barriers
Social barriers
Cultural barriers
Political barriers
Total

Cronbachs alpha coefficient

0.84
0.87
0.86
0.77
0.85
0.84

Barriers and Challenges to Implementation and Development of Private Management for Providing Security in Tehran

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Internat ional Jour nal of Economy, Mana ge ment and Social Sciences , 2(9) Se pt ember 2013

The Cronbachs alpha of the questionnaire on barriers and challenges to the implementation and development of private management for
providing security in Tehran recreation centers was calculated by use of SPSS software at 0.84 suggesting that the questionnaire was of
sufficient reliability. To analyze research data, firstly, the collected data were summarized and classified by use of descriptive statistics
indexes. Then the inferential statistical tests like Kolmogrov test Smirnoff were used for testing normality of distribution of the statistical
population , the Spearmans rank correlation coefficient was used for confirming or rejecting the hypotheses and the students t-test for
verifying significance difference between the existing level and the expected one as well as for classifying components relating to each of
the research variables.

Research findings
To investigate normality of the research data the Kolmogorov-Smirnov was employed and its results have been displayed in the Table No.2
as follows:
Table2. Results of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for investigating normality of data
Components test results
(N) Number of data
Mean
Standard deviation
Z (Kolmogorov-Smirnov)
Significance level

Economic
84
4.34
0.53268
0.758
0.613

Legal
84
4.56
0.4723
0.556
0.455

Social
84
4.27
0.42826
0.614
0.845

Cultural
84
4.11
0.4123
0.622
0.598

Political
84
4.31
0.46720
0.654
0.758

As displayed in table No.2 because significance level was above the standard significance level (0.05) the H0 hypothesis on normality of
data was confirmed and the alternative hypothesis H1 was rejected accordingly implying normality of distribution of the research data.
Since the research data were not correlative and quantitative and the Likert spectrum was used in the questionnaire, in the next analytical
stages non-parametric tests were used for investigating research hypotheses; the hypotheses that were one-tailed ones. The students t-test
was used to verify the significant difference between the existing and expected levels and to classify and prioritize the relevant components
of each variable on the research.
Table3. The students t-test results for components of social barriers to implementation and
development of private management for providing security in Tehran recreation centers
Calculated t value

Degree of freedom

Significance level
(two-tailed)

Significance
difference

Result

Experimental
mean

Expected
mean

Rank

3.824

83

0.001

0.656

0.31

1.01

H1 confirmed

4.66

Diverse expectations and

demands

-1.350

83

0.187

-0.250

-0.63

0.13

H0 confirmed

3.75

Lack of social awareness on

the need to provide security

5.688

83

0.000

0.914

0.59

1.24

H1 confirmed

4.91

Lack of social integration

and participation

10

6.454

83

0.000

1.143

0.79

1.50

H1 confirmed

5.14

Unwillingness of people to
cooperate/ social apathy

11

2.721

83

0.010

0.371

0.09

0.65

H1 confirmed

4.37

Low social trust in private

management

12

-1.071

83

0.292

-0.114

-0.33

0.10

H0 confirmed

3.89

Confidence
level

Question number

Components of
social barriers

Non-institutionalization of
tourist culture among people

Low

High

The significance level of the components of social barriers in variables of non-institutionalization of tourist culture, lack of social
awareness on the need to provide security, lack of social integration and participation and unwillingness of people to cooperate / social
apathy was calculated below the standard significance level (0.05). Therefore significance level between the existing level and the expected
one was verified. So the H1 hypothesis confirmed and the H0 hypothesis rejected. According to the said table the two components of low

Sayed Ali Akbar Ahmadi et al.

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Internati onal Journal of Ec onomy, Mana ge me nt and Soci al Sc iences , 2( 9) Sept ember 2013

social trust in private management and diverse expectations and demands found to be above standard significance level (0.05) suggesting
no significance level between the existing level and the expected one.
Table 4. The students t-test results for components of the economic barriers to implementation
and development of private management for providing security in Tehran recreation centers

Calculated t
value

Degree of
freedom

Significance
level (two-tailed)

Significance
difference

Result

Experimental
mean

Expected mean

Rank

3.502

83

0.002

0.386

0.26

0.43

H1 confirmed

4.09

3.903

83

0.001

0.357

0.35

0.95

H1 confirmed

4.46

decrease in tourism
share of value added

3.205

83

0.009

0.344

0.37

0.27

H1 confirmed

4.97

Lack of investment security in

tourism sector

3.243

83

0.000

0.313

0.08

0.54

H1 confirmed

4.31

Rival public financial institutions

3.814

83

0.001

0.576

0.27

0.88

H1 confirmed

4.58

Weak strategic competitiveness

4.239

83

0.000

0.629

0.33

0.93

H1 confirmed

4.63

Confidence
level

Question
number

High

Components of
economic
barriers

Low

Non-cooperation of financial
institutes and organizations
Insufficient budget for the private
sector

Significance level of all components of the economic barriers was below the standard significance level (0.05). Therefore significance
difference between the existing level and the expected one was verified. Accordingly the H1 hypothesis confirmed and the H0 hypothesis
rejected.
Table 5. Students t-test results relating to the components of political barriers to implementation
and development of private management for providing security in Tehran recreation centers
Calculated t
value

Degree of
freedom

Significance
level
(two-tailed)

Significance
difference

Result

Experimental
mean

Rank

83

0.000

0.486

Low
0.24

High
0.73

Expected mean

4.0954

H1 confirmed

4.49

Considering role of the private

sector in providing security as a
threat

14

3.552

83

0.001

0.594

0.25

0.93

H1 confirmed

4.59

Decrease in political trust in the

private sector

15

-1.215

83

0.234

-0.250

0.67

0.17

H0 confirmed

3.75

Extensive political
developments and changes

16

3.200

83

0.003

0.485

0.18

0.79

H1 confirmed

4.48

Lack of growth and

development of effective nongovernmental organizations

17

6.247

83

0.000

0.939

0.63

1.25

H1 confirmed

4.94

Political autocracy /
authorities self-centrism

18

4.145

83

0.00

0.848

0.43

1.27

H1 confirmed

4.85

Confidence
level

Question
number

13

Components of
political
barriers

Lack of continuity of
government programs in
supporting private sector

Results of Table No. 5 suggested that with exception of component of decrease in political trust in the private sector significance level of all
components of the political barrier were below the standard significance (0.05). Therefore significance difference between the existing level
and the expected one was verified. Accordingly the H1 hypothesis confirmed and the H0 hypothesis rejected.

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Internat ional Jour nal of Economy, Mana ge ment and Social Sciences , 2(9) Se pt ember 2013

Table6. Students t-test results relating to the components of legal barriers to implementation and development of private management for providing
security in Tehran recreation centers
Calculated t
value

Degree of
freedom

Significance
level
(two-tailed)

Significance
difference

Result

Experimental
mean

Rank

83

0.589

100

Low
0.27

High
0.47

Expected mean

0.551

H1 confirmed

4.10

Lack of sanctions
implementation of tourism
rules and regulations

20

4.667

83

0.000

0.824

0.46

1.18

H1 confirmed

4.82

Lack of fixed rules and

regulations

21

3.103

83

0.004

0.559

0.19

0.93

H0 confirmed

4.56

Failure to create motivation by

relevant regulations for
investment in tourism sector

22

0.421

83

0.0677

0.061

0.23

0.35

H0 confirmed

4.06

Failure of the present rules and

regulations to meet tourism
sector requirements

23

3.814

83

0.001

0.576

0.27

0.88

H1 confirmed

4.58

Parallel regulations and nonsupportive rapid changeable

regulations in tourism sector

24

4.239

83

0.000

0.629

0.33

0.93

H1 confirmed

4.63

Confidence
level

Question
number

19

Components of
legal barriers

Lack of supervision over

tourism rules and regulations

Results of Table No. 6 suggested that with exception of components of failure to create motivation by relevant regulations for investment in
tourism sector and lack of supervision over tourism rules and regulations significance level of all components of the economic barrier was
below the standard significance (0.05). Therefore significance difference between the existing level and the expected one was verified.
Accordingly the H1 hypothesis confirmed and the H0 hypothesis rejected.
Table7. Students t-test results relating to the components of cultural barriers to implementation
of private management for providing security in Tehran recreation centers
Question number

Calculated t value

Degree of freedom

Significance level
(two-tailed)

Significance
difference

Result

Experimental
mean

Expected mean

Rank

25

4.364

83

0.000

0.486

Low
0.26

High
0.71

H1 confirmed

4.49

Subscale and probably conflicting

cultures

26

2.685

83

0.011

0.471

0.11

0.83

H1 confirmed

4.47

Lack of cultural support in provinces

27

5.836

83

0.000

0.971

0.63

1.31

H1 confirmed

4.97

Lack of infrastructures required for

promotion of tourist culture

28

-1.055

83

0.299

0.257

0.75

0.24

H0 confirmed

3.74

Too many and redundant decision

making bodies in the field of tourism
security

29

-3.357

83

0.002

0.800

1.28

-0.32

H1 confirmed

3.20

Lack of integrated planning in

tourism sector

30

1.724

83

0.094

0.314

-0.6

0.68

H0 confirmed

4.31

Confidence
level

Components of
cultural barriers

Redundant cultural bodies in tourism

sector

Results of Table No. 7 suggested that with exception of components of lack of integrated planning in tourism sector and lack of
infrastructures required for promotion of tourist culture significance level of all components of the economic barrier were below the
standard significance (0.05). Therefore significance difference between the existing level and the expected one was verified, confirming H1
hypothesis and rejecting H0 hypothesis.

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Internati onal Journal of Ec onomy, Mana ge me nt and Soci al Sc iences , 2( 9) Sept ember 2013

Discussion and Conclusion

Findings of the present research suggested that economic barriers were of the highest effect to hinder implementation and development of
private management for providing security in Tehran recreation centers. Lack of basic investments and financial supports by financial and
banking institutions were identified as the major challenges in this respect. These findings found to be consistent with Akbaris (2008)
findings. Akbari had concluded that existence of well-prepared financial structures could provide required ground for further development
of private management as well as investment in tourism sector [8].
Tourism absorbs capitals and population from the industrial hubs to rural areas and natural sites distributing economic benefits and
financial resources all around the country on equal basis. Tourism will boost national revenues and promotes currency resources. To this
end private sector is needed to help the public one in providing required grounds for provision of security in tourism sector. On the other
hand Mondal (2010), supporting involvement of the private sector in the field of tourism security, stipulates that as compared with other
sectors and industries (particularly industrial productions) tourism is of lesser pollution and it could help promotion of environment
protection in those areas disregarded before development of the tourism industry [9]. At the same time in many developing countries
tourism has developed without a clear guideline and regulatory framework in the areas of tourism security and environment protection the
major reason of which has most probably been lack of sufficient financial resources and lack of awareness over unharnessed and
uncontrolled tourism development. In fact in these countries capitals generated by tourism sector are allocated to those sectors that are
considered as more vital as a result of which adverse effects of tourism supersede its positive ones. With respect to the economic aspect of
tourism and the required security Maad Chunian (2009) defines tourism as a system interconnected with supply and demand factors
considering the tourism planning as development of every sector within this system including supply and demand factors as well as
organizational and physical elements. From the legal aspect lack of proper and updated rules and regulations in support of the private
management is considered as the most important challenges facing tourism industry. This finding is consistent with findings of Juan (2003)
suggesting that in addition to investment and economic dimension existence of supportive rules and regulations and the required sanctions
for their precise enforcement are considered as the major element for establishment of the private management in providing security of
tourism. Within the same respect Jaksel (2011) refers to tourism implemented in a law-based community as another important factor in
favor of sustainable development. Based on the said approach involvement of the community in the law making process, planning and
development of all types of tourism should be given the highest priority. This approach will direct major benefits resulting from tourism
development towards the local communities and local population encouraging them to accept and protect this industry within their
community more than ever before. With respect to political dimension repeated changes and developments and lack of political stability
and security are considered as the major challenges facing tourism. In this respect Williams (2010) stipulates that government authorities
and public administrators approach towards development or under-development of the private sector in the field of tourism shall be
considered as an important precondition. Shirer (2005) also is of this opinion that political challenges particularly in the developing
countries are of paramount significance. In making tourism planning, merger of tourism in the macro policies and regional patterns is of
the same significance that planning for integrating tourism system is. Within the same context Macintyre (2012) believes that tourism
planning shall be identified as a lasting and flexible process wherein the strategic policies and executive recommendations shall be of
required flexibility in order for them to get adjusted to different conditions without prejudice to the fundamental objectives.
With regards to the social dimension it seems that lack of social participation and social trust in the private sector are the major challenges
facing implementation and development of private sector for providing security in the Tehran recreation centers. This finding found to be
consistent with Morfis (2011) findings [10] . Morfi has stipulated that social asset is playing vital role in guiding and persuading the
private sector in all areas. In the tourism sector also trust in the private sector and promotion of people involvement can be of great effect.
Therefore given the fact that economic barriers ranks first among different barriers to implementation and development of private
management for providing security in Tehran recreation centers it is recommended that all the relevant barriers shall be removed by making
investments and financial organizations and institutions shall be persuaded to support the private sector and its role in the field of security.
It is also recommended that required flexible guidelines and strategies in harmony with other sectors be adopted. With respect to cultural
dimension promotion of positive approach towards and trust in the private management in providing security in the tourism sector is
recommended as well End.

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