Considering the importance of institutional foodservice in modern dietary life and its influence on environment, sustainable development in institutional foodservice industry carries more significance. The current study was conducted by focusing on su...
Considering the importance of institutional foodservice in modern dietary life and its influence on environment, sustainable development in institutional foodservice industry carries more significance. The current study was conducted by focusing on sustainable institutional foodservice from consumers' and providers' perspectives in Korea. This study consisted of two parts. The first part determined consumers’ perception and patronage intention toward sustainable institutional foodservice based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The second part dealt with a case of 'A' contract foodservice company in relation to sustainable institutional foodservice by applying mixed methodology.
To determine consumers’ perception and patronage intention toward sustainable foodservice, an on-line survey was conducted from October 21st to October 27th, 2011 to consumers aged 20 to 50 who have used institutional foodservice in university or business-and-industry (B & I) settings during the three months before the survey. Out of 978 responses, 548 (70%) responses, which reported to use B & I foodservice more than 5 times a month on average, were analyzed. According to the results, consumers appeared to perceive the necessity of sustainable institutional foodservice highly, but their understanding and awareness were comparatively low. Main obstacles to sustainable institutional foodservice were found to be “institutional foodservice companies’ lack of effort” and “lack of communication between consumers and companies.” A total of 66% of consumers showed willingness to pay a premium on sustainable institutional foodservice, and the average premium was 820 won, which was approximately 21% of the supposed standard price, 4,000 won. Consumers’ patronage intention toward sustainable institutional foodservice was well explained by the modified extended TPB model adding a path from subjective norm to perceived behavioral control. Impacts on consumers' patronage intention toward sustainable institutional foodservice were ranked to be personal norm, subjective norm, attitude, and perceived behavioral control. In addition, a mediating role of perceived behavioral control was newly found between subjective norm and patronage intention. Consumers’ practice level of each healthy diet and eco-friendly diet showed significant moderating effects respectively, between perceived behavioral control and patronage intention, and between subjective norm and patronage intention.
Mixed methodology combining quantitative with qualitative studies was used to investigate a case of 'A' contract foodservice company in relation to the issues of sustainability/sustainable development. For the quantitative study, an online survey was conducted to 362 dietitians who have worked at the company over a year. The survey went on from December 15th, 2011 to January 30th, 2012, and 202 responses were used for an analysis. For the qualitative study, focus group interviews and in-depth interviews were carried out during May, 2012 for the representative team members and a team leader of the company. According to the results, dietitians seemed to be unfamiliar with the terms “sustainability” or “sustainable development,” whereas they understood the contents. They appeared to perceive the necessity of sustainable foodservice, but their awareness was significantly lower than that of consumers'. Dietitians seemed to be highly aware of impacts of institutional foodservice on economy, however, they appeared to lack understanding of its impacts on society and environment. They tended to highly regard “lack of government support” and “consumers’ lack of perception” as main obstacles to sustainable institutional foodservice. In addition, cost and levy on work in daily operations were considered critical according to interview results. A total 88% of dietitians expected that the average meal price at sustainable institutional foodservice should be 5,720 won, about 32% higher than the supposed standard price of 4,000 won. It was revealed that the current practices implemented for sustainable institutional foodservice at the company were primarily those of which tangible outcomes on a short-term basis could be demonstrated. To successfully implement sustainable institutional foodservice in the future, the company seemed to need to share sufficient amount of knowledge and information with dietitians; to specify detailed practice guidelines for easy application of sustainable institutional foodservice at field; and to enhance dietitians' intention to implement the practices. The biggest impact on dietitians’ intention to implement the practices was found to be colleagues' and superiors' opinions at work. This result implied that both horizontal communication and vertical instruction systems should be required within an organization to motivate dietitians' intention. To realize sustainable institutional foodservice, it was also highlighted that not only company's efforts but also the close comprehension and cooperation of stakeholders including suppliers, consumers and client companies should be demanded.
The present study was the first attempt to study on sustainable institutional foodservice in Korea, and covered both consumers' and providers' perspectives. Along with relevant studies to be undertaken in the future, findings from this study will provide baseline data that will aid in understanding current status and drawing up realistic measures to vitalize sustainable institutional foodservice in Korea.