Causes of Food Waste in a University Food Service Operation: An Investigation Based on the Systems Theory

The study applied the systems theory to investigate causes of food waste generation in the University food service operation. A qualitative, case study design was adopted. One-on-one interviews with food service managers and supervisors, focus group discussions with back-of-house and front-of-hous...

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Main Authors: Boineelo Pearl Lefadola, Annemarie Viljoen, Gerrie du Rand
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AfricaJournals 2023-08-01
Series:African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_25__12_3_1176-1191.pdf
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author Boineelo Pearl Lefadola
Annemarie Viljoen
Gerrie du Rand
author_facet Boineelo Pearl Lefadola
Annemarie Viljoen
Gerrie du Rand
author_sort Boineelo Pearl Lefadola
collection DOAJ
description The study applied the systems theory to investigate causes of food waste generation in the University food service operation. A qualitative, case study design was adopted. One-on-one interviews with food service managers and supervisors, focus group discussions with back-of-house and front-of-house food service personnel, participant observation and document analysis were used to explore causes of food waste at different points of the University food service. The data collected were analysed with a qualitative data analysis software; ATLAS.ti. Thematic analysis was conducted to generate common themes. The findings illustrated that different activities in the functional subsystem of the food service system had an influence on food waste. The study contributes to the literature as causes of food waste were investigated from the systems theoretical perspective. This represents an important first step towards an improved understanding of the causes of food waste within the university food service setting. Unlike previous studies, a holistic view of the causes of food waste in different parts of the functional subsystem of the University food service were explored. An understanding of food waste from this perspective is useful in proposing strategies that adequately address food waste in the entire functional subsystem.
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spelling doaj.art-edbab3aab20c4176ac1a086224f5319b2024-02-17T17:26:15ZengAfricaJournalsAfrican Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure2223-814X2023-08-0112311761191https://doi.org/10.46222/ajhtl.19770720.424Causes of Food Waste in a University Food Service Operation: An Investigation Based on the Systems TheoryBoineelo Pearl Lefadola0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9424-1547Annemarie Viljoen1Gerrie du Rand2Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, University of PretoriaDepartment of Consumer and Food Sciences, University of PretoriaDepartment of Consumer and Food Sciences, University of PretoriaThe study applied the systems theory to investigate causes of food waste generation in the University food service operation. A qualitative, case study design was adopted. One-on-one interviews with food service managers and supervisors, focus group discussions with back-of-house and front-of-house food service personnel, participant observation and document analysis were used to explore causes of food waste at different points of the University food service. The data collected were analysed with a qualitative data analysis software; ATLAS.ti. Thematic analysis was conducted to generate common themes. The findings illustrated that different activities in the functional subsystem of the food service system had an influence on food waste. The study contributes to the literature as causes of food waste were investigated from the systems theoretical perspective. This represents an important first step towards an improved understanding of the causes of food waste within the university food service setting. Unlike previous studies, a holistic view of the causes of food waste in different parts of the functional subsystem of the University food service were explored. An understanding of food waste from this perspective is useful in proposing strategies that adequately address food waste in the entire functional subsystem.https://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_25__12_3_1176-1191.pdffood wasteuniversity food service operationqualitative studythematic analysissystems theory
spellingShingle Boineelo Pearl Lefadola
Annemarie Viljoen
Gerrie du Rand
Causes of Food Waste in a University Food Service Operation: An Investigation Based on the Systems Theory
African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
food waste
university food service operation
qualitative study
thematic analysis
systems theory
title Causes of Food Waste in a University Food Service Operation: An Investigation Based on the Systems Theory
title_full Causes of Food Waste in a University Food Service Operation: An Investigation Based on the Systems Theory
title_fullStr Causes of Food Waste in a University Food Service Operation: An Investigation Based on the Systems Theory
title_full_unstemmed Causes of Food Waste in a University Food Service Operation: An Investigation Based on the Systems Theory
title_short Causes of Food Waste in a University Food Service Operation: An Investigation Based on the Systems Theory
title_sort causes of food waste in a university food service operation an investigation based on the systems theory
topic food waste
university food service operation
qualitative study
thematic analysis
systems theory
url https://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_25__12_3_1176-1191.pdf
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AT gerriedurand causesoffoodwasteinauniversityfoodserviceoperationaninvestigationbasedonthesystemstheory