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Information technology and supply chain agility are in vogue. The present study aims to investigate the impact of information technology (IT) on supply chain agility and its outcomes such as cost reduction and operational performance in fast food companies' chains. A total of 240 employees from fast food chains were selected as respondents. Data was collected using five-point Likert scale questionnaire developed from previous studies. The statistical results confirmed that adoption of IT is playing a vibrant role in achieving supply chain agility and supply chain agility helps to reduce cost and improves operational performance of firms. The study model provides a useful framework to examine the impact of IT adoption on supply chain agility and its outcomes. In conclusion, the firms have to focus on their supply chain management and make it efficient and agile by implementing the advanced technologies to gain operational performance. Implications have been discussed.
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Poor food environments are considered to trigger obesity and related health complications by restricting the local food options to predominantly low quality, energy-dense foods. This study investigated the impact of the food environment on obesity with a focus on any changes that might have occurred around the COVID lockdown period in the UK when majority of the population relied on food delivery and the local food environments. The proportion of fast-food retailers in the area and the Retail Food Environment Index (RFEI) were calculated for participants of the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70) at three timepoints: pre-COVID (2016), the first UK nation-wide lockdown (April–May 2020) and post lockdown (September–October 2020). The association of the food environment and the odds of obesity was estimated through multivariable logistic regression, with adjustments being made for selected socioeconomic variables. A model using the fast-food proportion as the sole predictor estimated that higher fast-food proportion increased the odds of obesity by 2.41 in 2016, 2.89 during the lockdown and 1.34 post lockdown, compared with 1.87, 2.23, and 0.73, respectively, for the same three periods with adjustments being made for select socioeconomic variables. On the other hand, RFEI increased the odds of obesity only slightly at 1.01, 1.02 and 1.03, respectively, with the model with adjustments yielding respective similar values. The fast-food proportion model indicates that proximity to a poor food environment is linked to obesity, especially during the COVID lockdown period, but the impact of a poor-food environment is limited if the RFEI is used as its indicator. The findings will add much needed insights on the UK data and will inform public health planning and policy.
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PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate whether the lockdown and the increased spread of food delivery applications (FD Apps) during COVID-19 pandemic have augmented the consumption of fast foods. Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study was conducted on 673 adults from different regions of Saudi Arabia using an online questionnaire. FindingsData showed that 61% (N = 410) of participants used FD Apps during the pandemic. Among those users, 54.9% (225) were females and 70.5% were in the 18-44 years old group. Most FD Apps' users were university graduates (74.4%). The increased use of FD Apps during the pandemic significantly affected the eating behavior and the nutritional pattern. It has further significantly augmented the consumption of fast foods (p-value < 0.05). Originality/valueThis study reports on the use of FD Apps during COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia and its impact on consumer eating pattern. This study shows the need for prudent use of these applications to limit ordering fast foods and consider healthier choices. It further calls for education programs, awareness campaigns, legislative measures and formal policies to rationalize the use of such applications for better nutrition, health and well-being.
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Introduction: Difficulties in accessing food and social distancing triggered more anxiety, stress and consumption of low-cost and ultra-processed foods. Objective(s): To investigate changes in eating behavior and its relationship with socioeconomic aspects. Method(s): Study conducted virtually between May and June 2020 with 949 adults, with questionnaires on socioeconomic data, changes in eating behavior, frequency of food consumption and the TFEQ-21. The analysis was performed descriptively and the TFEQ-21 according to the scores of each factor. The relationship between the variableswas analyzed using Pearson's correlation test. Result(s): 63% considered cooking more food, 41% and 38% said they were more likely to eat with company and in peace, respectively. 38.6% reduced fast-food purchases, but 43.2% increased food consumption and 41.8% consumption of sweets. In women, the higher the BMI, the greater the emotional eating and cognitive restriction (p<0.001). In these, emotional eating was greater if they did not have children or higher education (p<0.001), and the restriction was greater with physical activity, not having a stable relationship, having children (p<0.001), employment and higher education (p<0.05). In men, emotional eating was related to higher BMI (p<0.05) and both variables were related to physical activity (p<0.001). Conclusion(s): Changes such as cooking more, reducing fast food, eating calmly and with company were observed compared to before the pandemic. It is noted that in women there is a greater relationship between restriction and emotional eating with various aspects of the social and economic context.Copyright © 2023 Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto - U.S.P.. All rights reserved.
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Objective: The objectives of the study were: (1) To assess life style changes among children of <=15 years of age during COVID-19 pandemic and (2) to find out the effect of the life style changes on health of children of <=15 years of age. Method(s): The cross-sectional comparative study conducted at department of pediatrics, Vivekananda Polyclinic and Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow for duration of 1 year and sample size found to be 276 on calculation by applying the formula. Result(s): Out of 278 children, about 39% (108) were female children. Most of children were studying in primary level classes (52.51%) and most of enrolled children had joint family (66.18%). Level of physical activity reduced significantly due to closure of school and restriction on outdoor activities. Weight of children increased significantly during COVID-19 pandemic seems to be due to decreased in physical activities and consumption of more fast food/fried food (high calorie intake) and sedentary life style. Conclusion(s): During COVID-19 pandemic due to closure of schools and restricted outdoor activities results in decrease level of physical activities, increased consumption of high calorie food and sedentary behavior lead to increase in weight of children and changes in sleeping pattern of children.Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd.
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This study is an evaluative study on strategic perspectives on brand delight and its impact on Indian fast-food Industry amidst Covid19. The global crisis and turmoil have crippled and transformed the entire operations of the globe. The Indian fast-food industry has been closed for almost six months. There is a need for revamping and restarting this industry for economic and social contributions.As social distancing, wearing masks and following the government norms has become the order of the day, this has also led to change in consumer's perceptions and attitudes. The study by nature evaluates strategic perspectives which could lead to brand delight in Indian fast food industry. This would also ensure brand retention in these challenging times. As there has been very little empirical investigations which have been attempted in this industry during these tough times in India, this study addresses the research gaps and also provides practical inputs for Indian fast-food industry on consumer perception towards brand delight and retention, which is the need of the hour. This is an empirical and quantitative study which attempts to provide strategic perspectives for Indian fast-food industry by collecting primary data through Questionnaire. The primary data for the study has been collected with 64 fast food consumers from Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar and Calcutta. Stratified random sampling has been used in this study. The collected data has been analysed using SPSS tools as correlation, Wilcoxon signed rank test and Friedman two-way non-parametric Anova test has been conducted in this study. In this study it is found that brand communication can be made very effective using Digital display & advertisements &SEO Tools getting next Social media like FB getting least ranking which is very surprising. In this study it is also found that image of the product and awareness, popularity of fast-food leads to more purchase of fast-food products. It is found from this study that there is a positive correlation between the factors of satisfaction with fast food products and engagement and expectation of more products in fast food industry. It was also found that majority of the respondents love Indian dishes and Indian restaurants, Dominos, Pizza hut, McDonald are their favourite choices and also, they expecting to have more spicy and vegetarian varieties in fast food industry. The factors for customer retention have been provided in this study which includes Pleasing environment and good food are my preferences for happiness and satisfaction, Variety of dishes and menu has attracted customers to this food and customers are happy with the experience and would come again, & Communication of staff is very essential which makes consumers happy and satisfied. From these findings it is concluded that Indian fast-food industry must have these strategic perspectives for brand delight and customer retention.Copyright © 2020 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.
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With the emergence of a number of food ordering applications in the market, it has become equally challenging for customers to choose from the available applications. The objective of this study is to determine the level of awareness about online food ordering applications among customers. Further, the study evaluates the factors affecting customer perception towards online food ordering applications in Punjab. The study also determines the influence of demographic variables on the buying behavior of customers on online food ordering apps. The primary research data was collected through a structured questionnaire from 485 respondents who prefer ordering food through virtual applications, and SPSS software was used for analysis. Factor analysis was employed to find out the behavior of respondents towards food delivery applications. ANOVA was applied to check the impact of demographics on customer perception. The study identified eight factors affecting customer perception towards food ordering applications, i.e., discounts and offers, perceived ease of use, customer support, convenient operating hours, reliability, restaurant choice and variety, alternative mode of payment and serviceability of which 'discounts and offers' was found to be the most important factor. Further, the findings of the study revealed a significant role of demographic variables such as age, education, occupation and income in affecting customers buying behavior towards food ordering applications.
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Introduction: Dietary supplement use is continuously increasing in the world and it seems to be more common among women. Data on supplement habits of women in Turkey are still limited. The purpose of this study is to determine dietary supplement use and to evaluate associated factors in Turkish women in the pre-COVID-19 period. Methodology: A total of 727 Turkish women (33.4[10.3] years;25.9[4.57] kg/m2;162.9[6.81] cm) participated in this cross-sectional study. After piloting, the participants completed a six-part questionnaire form that was administered either face-to-face or over the phone by a trained dietitian. The questionnaire intended to collect data about demographic characteristics, use of dietary supplements and factors influencing supplement choices such as eating habits, physical activity and lifestyle habits. Result(s): A total of 307 participants (42.2%) used at least one dietary supplement within the previous year. The most commonly used was iron (30.6%) followed by vitamin D (30.6%), vitamin B12 (26.7%), multivitamins (18.2%), and calcium (11.4%). Supplement use decreased with higher physical activity (p=0.002). Furthermore, it was significantly higher among women who consume meals at regular times (p=0.001) and those that avoid fast food consumption (p=0.014). However, the use of dietary supplements was not associated with lower BMI, older age or higher academic level (p>0.05). Conclusion(s): More than 40% of women were reported using dietary supplements. The use of supplements was not associated with lower BMI, higher physical activity, older age, higher academic level smoking or drinking. Turkish women seem to show a different consumer profile from typical dietary supplement users.Copyright © 2022 Asociacion Espanola de Dietistas-Nutricionistas. All rights reserved.
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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the interrelationship between customer acceptance and usage of self-ordering kiosks, purchase behaviour and post-purchase behaviour in quick-service restaurants. This study also hypothesised that the perceived safety risk moderates the relationship between customer purchase and post-purchase behaviour. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted a quantitative research methodology using an online survey. During the data collection process, 430 responses were obtained. The partial-least square-structural equation modelling was used to test the study's model and hypotheses. Findings: The results of this study indicated that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation and trust significantly influence purchase behaviour through the self-ordering kiosks. Meanwhile, price value and customer habit did not affect purchasing behaviour, while perceived safety risk as a moderator does not influence re-purchase behaviour. Practical implications: This study provides valuable implications for foodservice researchers and marketers related explicitly to technology adoption in restaurant services. Given the positive outlook on self-ordering kiosk usage, quick-service restaurants should continuously improve their ordering kiosk adoption and efficiency, especially during the health pandemic. Originality/value: This study is one of the few to predict and explain the consumer acceptance of self-service kiosks by integrating the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 model with other essential behavioural constructs. The inclusion of trust and perceived safety risk construct enhances the study model's adaptability during health crises. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
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Four waves of the Covid-19 epidemic have drastically affected consumer behaviors in Vietnam, particularly during the period of social distancing in the second half of 2021. This study was done to investigate changes in household food acquisition and consumption patterns in Ho Chi Minh City. During the most severe wave of Covid-19 in Vietnam, an online poll was used to collect data from 130 customers in Ho Chi Minh City. Before Covid-19 (before January 2021), food was primarily purchased from traditional markets and other direct methods. After Covid-19 occurred (since January 2021), changes in food acquisition methods were found as 52% of respondents went to the grocery stores, traditional markets, and supermarkets less often. Moreover, consumers have changed their online shopping behaviors as 48% bought more food online compared to pre-Covid-19 periods. Since Covid-19, surveyed households consumed less food, specifically fresh produce (44.6%), fast food (60.8%), canned food (37.7%), prepped meals (60.8%), grains (43.1%), and snacks (43.8%). In opposition, more frozen foods (46%) and more meat (47%) were consumed since the pandemic. From the estimated ordinal probit regression, the study found that the determinants that most explain changes in food consumption are age, household size, education, income, affected income, workplace status, and the afraid of food shortage.
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Robots are adopted in numerous tourism and hospitality segments, including restaurants. This study aims to empirically investigate the service robots' (SRs) acceptance among fast-food employees across two cultures – Egypt and Malaysia - and examines the moderating role of culture on usage intention. Extending the UTAUT model, Hofstede's culture dimensions, and relevant literature, a survey was developed for data collection from a convenient sample of employees in two international fast-food chains. Structural equation modelling was used for hypotheses-testing purposes. The results revealed that four UTAUT main constructs explain 62% and 44% of fast-food employees' behavioural intention to adopt robots in Egypt and Malaysia, respectively. The findings revealed that easiness-of-use, recommendations of trusted people to use robots, and knowledge and skills required to use robots affect the intention of usage by fast-food employees. This study extends the research of robotics' adoption in tourism and hospitality and consequently supports the planning for the post-Covid-19 resume. It provides several theoretical and operational implications for future research. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd
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COVID-19 cripples the restaurant industry as a crucial socioeconomic sector that contributes immensely to the global economy. However, what the current literature less explored is to quantify the effect of COVID-19 on restaurant visitation and revenue at different spatial scales, as well as its relationship with the neighborhood characteristics of customers' origins. Based on the Point of Interest (POI) measures derived from SafeGraph data providing mobility records of 45 million cell phone users in the US, our study takes Lower Manhattan, New York City, as the pilot study, and aims to examine 1) the change of restaurant visitations and revenue in the period prior to and after the COVID-19 outbreak, 2) the areas where restaurant customers live, and 3) the association between the neighborhood characteristics of these areas and lost customers. By doing so, we provide a geographic information system-based analytical framework integrating the big data mining, web crawling techniques, and spatial-economic modelling. Our analytical framework can be implemented to estimate the broader effect of COVID-19 on other industries and can be augmented in a financially monitoring manner in response to future pandemics or public emergencies.
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In early 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic began to spread. Due to the extent and quickness of infection, a more or less strict confinement was declared, depending on each country's government. Therefore, the main objective of this systematic review is to study the changes in lifestyle that occurred during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in healthy subjects over 18 years old in 9 European countries. A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA criteria. The "PubMed" database was used for the search;with the following advanced search strategy: "dietary changes" OR "lifestyle changes" AND "covid-19" OR "covid-19 lockdown" AND adults. Finally, 12 articles were included. Most studies showed an increase in energy intake, sweets, snacks and alcohol. Physical activity levels diminished. These unhealthy habits have led to an increase in body weight. Thus, COVID-19 lockdown appears to have modified lifestyle habits in European population. Further research should be done with larger sample sizes to assess the impact of the pandemic and to improve lifestyle recommendations in case of future pandemics. Copyright © 2022 Real Academia de Farmacia. All rights reserved.
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Background: Adolescent obesity has become alarming health problem reaching epidemic levels world wide,Covid 19 further worsened this scenario. Adolescent obesity is a multifaceted disease with serious immediate, intermediate and long-term consequences on both physical and mental health. So, if not intervened, It could transform into major health problem,there by posing economic challenges for future generations. So, its important to know the risk factors associated.There is limited research relating risk factors, vitamin d status and covid 19 impact.so our study is aimed at this. Methodology: This is a Cross-sectional Observational study conducted in the department of pediatrics MMCHRI, among 100 children included by convenience sampling method, aged 10 to18 years for a period of 1 year during April 2021-april 2022. Result(s):In our study of 100 study participants 75 were aged 10 to 14 years and 25 in 15 to 18 years. Our studies showed that high screen time contributed 76 %,sedentary life style 72 % along with fatty food 70 % consumptions are the major risk factors contributing to obesity. 62 % had vitamin deficiency. Conclusion(s): Our study showed high screen time, sedentary life style along with fatty food consumption are the most important risk factors. COVID-19 pandemic evoked major lifestyle changes including indoor stay reducing out door activity. Schools closed increased online classes further increasing screen time. There was vitamin D deficiency in majority of adolescents in our study. So primary prevention methods should be aimed at educating the child and family and encouraging appropriate diet and exercise from young age. Secondary prevention is by preventing the child from unhealthy habits.Due to the serious implications,effective treatments are urgently needed. Lifestyle interventions represent the recommended therapy. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
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Purpose - The "new normal" is the period of adaptation during the pandemic COVID -19 that affects both daily and economic activities, leading to the application of strict health regulations in public places such as shopping malls, tourist sites and gastronomic areas. The appearance of the physical service landscape is adapted to the new normal health regulations. The aim of this study is to firstly investigate the influence of the new regulations with the mediating variable of physical service landscape on QSR visit intention. Second, this study aims to examine the influence of Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on QSR visit intention. Design/methodology - This study uses convenience sampling on mall visitors in Surabaya who also visit QSR during the COVID-19 pandemic, starting from July to December 2020. The study sample is 313 visitors which are acquired through questionnaires distributed both online and offline. The data will be analyzed using the technique PLS-SEM 3.0. Findings - Firstly, in the direct path, the results showed that the new-normal regulation significantly influences physical servicescape (exterior design, interior design, and QSR location). Secondly, TPB, which are attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control, significantly influence QSR visiting intention. In the indirect path, new-normal regulation significantly influences visitors' intention towards the mediating variable of interior design, while in contrast exterior design and QSR location do not significantly mediate. Originality - This study specifically discusses the changes in the design of the physical service landscape since the implementation of the new-normal regulation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which both directly and indirectly influences the behavior of visitors in public areas. Research implication/practical implication - In terms of literature, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the healthcare service landscape, which interacts with both architecture and marketing, in terms of individual behavior. Furthermore, this study practically helps mall management in deciding the marketing strategy and QSR outlet management to survive in the pandemic by following applicable healthcare protocols.
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Purpose>University students are one of the vulnerable groups in terms of having nutritional problems due to their lifestyle and social environment. This study aims to determine the consumption of fast food among university students and evaluate factors that may impact it, such as sociodemographic factors, body mass index (BMI) or nutritional habits.Design/methodology/approach>A cross-sectional study was conducted among a random sample of 184 university students (47.8% men and 52.2% women) with a mean age of 21.1 ± 2.0 years. The survey included students' sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, nutritional habits and fast-food consumption. Chi-square test, t-test and binary logistic regression analysis were used depending on the characteristics of the data.Findings>Results indicated that 39.7% of the students consumed fast food at least once in 15 days and preferred these foods for taste, workload and social activity. Consumption of fast food occurred at an earlier age in men (%13.6) and the portions were higher than portions of vegetables (p = 0.001). By using regression analysis, a statistically significant relationship was found between the frequency of fast-food consumption and age, gender, economic status, BMI, the amount of vegetables consumed daily and the habit of eating breakfast (p < 0.05).Research limitations/implications>It is planned to reach more students in the study. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, transportation to students became difficult or could not be reached.Originality/value>This study is one of the rare studies examining students' orientation to fast food. The number of studies in this field in Turkey is limited.
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The COVID-19 pandemic might impact consumer demand for food Service industries. These impacts relate to the structure of preferences in the context of a pandemic, income and time constraints, and price effects. Discussion includes accounting for differential impacts of COVID-19 on demand for foodservice across socio-demographic characteristics in India, and several high-level issues and observations related to where and how to impact home consumption. My thinking leads me to conclude that demand-side factors will account for most of the changes, we see in Out home consumption. These demand-side effects will be dominated by income effects, the opportunity cost of time, and longer planning horizons on the part of the Food Service Business. In the present time only the foodservice Industry not doing well in the post COVID scenario. Let's be honest, even if tomorrow, the coronavirus moved out, people will still be avoiding ordering food or visiting restaurants or hotels for dining out -for a longer time to come. Small voting on Twitter that was reacted to by 10346 respondents showed more than half (53%) people saying no to ordering food while 13 % said that they may order and the rest 34% said they will continue to order food. This was before the Pizza delivery boy news came. The same goes for any service industry like movie halls/ malls. It is not just the food service industry but as a matter of fact whole of travel and tourism is going to suffer the hostile response of corona. From Movie halls to malls wherever there was interaction, people confined in close spaces, things will have to be reinvented, with newer techniques to minimize human interaction. In this paper, we shall have look at the problems that the foodservice industry will face and maybe suggest a way out It's been difficult for many operators and the only experience that for best understanding, how to come out of this situation is the learning's from past recessions or economic struggles while Pandemic time. And common sense will teach industries that starting a business in hard economic times is a bad idea and shows challenges to commercial viability, in the current situation has caused businesses to close and now needing to re-open, this is no different from starting a new business during hard times. Something one would normally advise against Overcoming this challenge will truly define the entrepreneurs amongst them.
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Foodsters United, une campagne de syndicalisation en milieu de travail menée par des coursiers alimentaires de Toronto, montre que, meme dans l'économie des petits boulots, les méthodes de syndicalisation classiques fonctionnent. Les Foodsters ont contesté avec succes leur classification erronée en tant qu'entrepreneurs indépendants, ont fait signer des cartes syndicales a plus de 40 pour cent d'une main-d'œuvre importante et ont déclenché un vote syndical qu'ils ont remporté avec 88,8 pour cent de soutien. Ces victoires ont été tempérées par un revers dévastateur: leur employeur, Foodora, s'est retiré des marchés canadiens. Néanmoins, ce que Foodsters United a réalisé grâce a l'organisation du lieu de travail a soutenu sa transformation en Gig Workers United, qui organise tous les travailleurs de la plateforme de livraison a Toronto. Bien que les sociétés de plateforme comme Foodora promeuvent l'idée que l'économie des petits boulots est sans précédent, ses continuités historiques sont plus importantes que ses discontinuités. Cela est également vrai de l'organisation du lieu de travail dans l'économie des petits boulots. Foodsters United a remporté des victoires substantielles, non pas parce qu'ils ont inventé de nouvelles méthodes d'organisation, mais parce qu'ils ont adapté les méthodes classiques, de maniere souvent ingénieuse, a leur lieu de travail de l'économie des petits boulots. Cet article est basé sur des entretiens avec les organisateurs de la campagne. Il est organisé de maniere thématique selon les méthodes classiques d'organisation du lieu de travail, en particulier celles développées dans la tradition d'organisation industrielle, y compris l'organisation des conversations, la cartographie, la mise en tableaux, l'identification des dirigeants, l'identification des problemes et la création d'organisations démocratiques.Alternate :Foodsters United, a workplace organizing campaign by Toronto food couriers, shows that, even in the gig economy, the classic organizing methods work. The Foodsters successfully challenged their misclassification as independent contractors, got over 40 per cent of a large workforce to sign union cards, and triggered a union vote that they won with 88.8 per cent support. These victories were tempered by a devastating setback: their employer, Foodora, exited from Canadian markets. Nevertheless, what Foodsters United achieved through workplace organizing sustained its transformation into Gig Workers United, which is organizing all delivery platform workers in Toronto. Although platform companies like Foodora promote the idea that the gig economy is unprecedented, its historical continuities are more important than its discontinuities. This is also true of the workplace organizing in the gig economy. Foodsters United achieved substantial victories, not because they invented new organizing methods but because they adapted the classic methods, in often ingenious ways, to their gig economy workplace. This article is based on interviews with the campaign organizers. It is organized thematically according to classic workplace organizing methods, particularly those developed in the industrial organizing tradition, including organizing conversations, mapping, charting, leader identification, issue identification, and the creation of democratic organizations.