St. Joseph Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Palai, Kerala, India.
Abstract
This study investigated student perceptions of a student-run college cafeteria, focusing on value for money (VFM), overall satisfaction, and preferences for key cafeteria attributes. Employing a mixed-methods approach, Garrett Ranking was used to prioritize five attributes (Location, Cleanliness, Taste, Portion Size, Cyclic Menu) based on 59 student responses. The location and cleanliness were identified as the most important, while the cyclic menu was ranked least important. Inferential statistical analyses (ANOVA and Generalized Linear Model) were conducted on a subset of 27 students to examine relationships between semester (II, IV, VIII), VFM, and overall satisfaction. ANOVA revealed no significant differences in VFM perceptions across semesters [F(2, 24) = 0.18, p = .834]. However, the GLM indicated that higher VFM significantly predicted greater overall satisfaction (b = -2.54, p = .006), while semester was not a significant predictor of satisfaction after accounting for VFM. The findings highlight the importance of cafeteria accessibility and hygiene, and the significant influence of perceived value on student satisfaction. Future research could explore qualitative dimensions of key attributes and longitudinal changes in student perceptions.
Keywords: Student Perceptions, Value for Money, College Cafeteria, ANOVA, Generalized Liner Model (GLM)
View PDF