Identifying the Quality Attributes Affecting Customer Satisfaction of School Foodservice by City and Province: Students, Parents, and Faculty

Yang, Il Sun; Park, Moon Kyung

Abstract

This study had the following four objectives: a) to measure the quality attributes of school foodservice based on responses of students, parents, and faculty members, b) to compare the quality attributes by city and province, c) to analyze the overall satisfaction of the respondents, and d) to identify the effects of the quality attributes on overall satisfaction by city and province. Questionnaires were distributed to 5,560 students, 1,920 parents, and 1,920 faculty members, and were collected using on/off-line mail (collection rate: 100%). The data were analyzed using SPSS for descriptive analysis, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis. From the quality attributes analysis, 'providing information on foodservice' was perceived as being performed well by the students (78.8), parents (76.0), and faculty (87.7). However, 'pleasant foodservice environment' was given low scores by the students (62.4), and 'entertains suggestions offered to foodservice' was perceived as low by 66.1% of the parents and 74.9% of the faculty. Upon comparing the quality attributes by city and province, the majority of scores by students and parents in Busan were significantly higher than those of students and parents in others geographical areas. The overall satisfaction levels (scores) were as follows: 66.4 for students, 70.0 for parents and, 76.8 for faculty. Finally, in the regression results, which showed the effects of the quality attributes on overall satisfaction by city and province, improvements of 'food taste', 'kindness offered by employees', and 'menu variety' would increase satisfaction in most cities and provinces. However, other identified attributes were significantly different among the 16 cities and provinces that were examined. Therefore, these regions will need to make different efforts to improve customer satisfaction for school foodservice.