KOVANIN İÇİNDEKİ SESSİZ REKABET: BEŞ YILDIZLI TERMAL OTELLERİN YİYECEK İÇECEK DEPARTMANLARINDA KRALİÇE ARI SENDROMU (SILENT COMPETITION INSIDE THE HIVE: QUEEN BEE SYNDROME IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE DEPARTMENTS OF FIVE-STAR THERMAL HOTELS)

Queen Bee Syndrome (QBS) is a phenomenon where female leaders in male-dominated work environments reinforce gender discrimination by adopting a distant and competitive approach toward their female colleagues.This study examines perceptions of the QBS among women working in the food and beverage departments of five-star thermal hotels in Afyonkarahisar and how these perceptions vary according to socio-demographic variables.Data were collected through a survey from 65 female employees using a quantitative research method, and the support, structure, and competence dimensions were analyzed using the Queen Bee Syndrome scale.The findings indicate that female employees' perceptions of female managers vary significantly based on factors such as age, prior work experience, and the presence of multiple female managers within the organization.Those who have worked with female managers for a long time perceive them as less supportive, while it has been found that perceptions of competition increase with age.Additionally, perceptions of women's competence vary by job position; employees at lower levels are more positive, while those closer to managerial positions are more critical.The study enriches the theoretical contributions to both tourism and hospitality as well as QBS literature, providing valuable insights for practitioners such as senior managers, human resources managers, and policymakers.