Transformation of Tradesmen Identity in the Projection of Multiculturalism: The Case of Istanbul Grand Bazaar
摘要
This study examines the transformation of Istanbul Grand BazaarGrand Bazaar tradesmen identityTradesmen identity within the framework of multiculturalismMulticulturalism in a historical and sociocultural context. The study focuses on how the identityIdentity of the Grand BazaarGrand Bazaar tradesmen has evolved from the past to the present, and is analyzed in terms of tradeTrade practices, customer relations, and social belonging. While elements such as the traditional understanding of tradesmen, master-apprentice relationship, neighborhood cultureCulture and oral trade ethics constituted the basic building blocks of the Grand Bazaar in the past, today this structure has changed significantly due to factors such as globalizationGlobalization, increased tourismTourism, digital tradeTrade, and economic fluctuations. Although tradesmen try to preserve the traditional understanding of hospitality in their relations with customers, modern marketing techniques and the need to appeal to an international customer base have led tradesmen to adopt new approaches in their trade strategies. The multicultural structure of the Grand Bazaar has played a decisive role in the formation and transformation of the tradesmen identityTradesmen identity. The commercial dynamics of the bazaar have also changed with the ways in which tradesmen from different cultures trade, the diversity of customer profiles and the impact of global tourism. With the expansion of digitalizationDigitalization and global trade networks, Grand Bazaar tradesmen have had to adapt to new businessBusiness models such as online commerce, social media marketing and digital payment systems in addition to traditional face-to-face sales. On the other hand, the patriarchal business culturePatriarchal business culture in the Grand Bazaar has made it difficult for tradeswomenTradeswomen to gain a foothold in the field of trade, but the visibility of women entrepreneurship has increased with the impact of digitalizationDigitalization and tourism. In conclusion, the identityIdentity of the Grand Bazaar tradesmen is being reshaped in line with globalizationGlobalization, economic changes and technological developments, while continuing to preserve its deep-rooted past and traditional values. Today, the Grand BazaarGrand Bazaar, as an area where traditional tradeTrade bearing the traces of the past and the modern businessBusiness world intersect, witnesses the transformation of the identity of tradesmen by preserving its multicultural structure.