Leisured intimacy in organizational settings: An exploratory investigation

This investigation focuses on the dynamics of sexuality and leisure intimate relationships in organizational settings. It aims primarily at: (a) mapping out the micro social psychological variants of sexuality and intimate relationships in formal bureaucratic structures, such as those between a graduate student and a professor in an academic setting, and (b) delineating the meso- and macrosociological reasons for the social construction of such a phenomenon. Data was collected and analyzed using autoethnographic research methodologies, in particular, obtrusive and unobtrusive participant observation field study techniques. Results indicate that, in general, sexuality is socially constructed and privately experienced in organizational settings, and, therefore cannot be eradicated but only controlled. It is up to the organization to develop, establish, and maintain an appropriate organizational culture, encompassing an array of both formal as well as informal policies, that will aim at effectively and efficiently guiding and regulating its members' intrapersonal emotional and psychological feeling states as well as interpersonal behaviors towards achieving desirable organizational ends with minimal interpersonal disruption. Common Ground, Valentine J. Belfiglio, All Rights Reserved

The Social Construction of Male Tourism Deviance: The Case of Agia Napa (AN), Cyprus

Abstract This study is of an exploratory nature and aims at providing both a theoretical discussion and an empirical investigation of the relationships between young male tourists’ behavioral intentions and predispositions, their risky deviant vacation patterns (primarily alcohol/substance abuse and casual/unprotected sex), and the structuring of deviance in their tourist destination, during their vacationing in a famous Southern Mediterranean tourist resort known as Agia Napa (AN), in the country of Cyprus. The major methodological mode includes a combination of qualitative and quantitative field research data collection techniques. The sample includes male tourists belonging to various social networks visiting AN, during the summer months of early June to late August (the primary tourist season). The sampling procedure includes respondent driven (snowball) sampling derived from various male tourist and tourist industry related deviant risk networks operating in AN. Results indicate that the vast majority of the young male respondents expressed the view that they do not have any problem with drinking. However, for the whole sample, almost half of them (51.4 %) indicated that they had been unable to stop drinking once started and over one-third (36.8 %) reported either sustaining or causing injury because of drinking. There exists a deviant synergy in the structuring of the AN environment as evidenced by the twelve in-depth interviews. To this end, understanding how the financial network of bars, clubs, parties, protection companies, beach parties and tour operators works is crucial in delineating the conditions that render the AN environment ripe for the actualization of male tourism deviance

Virtual social interactions: Evolutionary, social psychological and technological perspectives

This paper represents an exploratory and quantitative investigation into online dating from evolutionary, psychological, and technological points of view. In the past decade, the relatively inexpensive availability of user-friendly, fast, and reliable Internet technology has appealed to millions of consumers who suddenly found themselves engrossed by this sensational medium of communication, information, consumerism, and service. The majority of Internet users tend to be either recreational or utilitarian oriented, using such medium for a wide variety of tasks ranging from corresponding with friends and significant others, information gathering, purchasing goods and services, and, increasingly so, seeking and securing suitable dating and marital partners. The following research questions constitute the driving force for the current investigation: What are the evolutionary and social psychological intricacies of online dating? What are the technological variants or dimensions that render the consumption of online dating services appealing to users? An online survey was administered to 247 subjects to explore these questions and determine the technological dimensions of virtual social interaction. Exploratory factor analysis was then conducted to analyse the data. Eight technological dimensions emerged as a result of the analysis and served as the basis for the study’s technological perspectives model of virtual social interactions