Abstract
The aims of this study were to investigate (1) the status of food materials purchased by group-buying companies and (2) the satisfaction with food materials and service quality of group-buying companies in foodservice at child-care centers. In November 2013, child-care centers which were participated in a group-buying program in Gwanak-gu, Seoul were requested to complete self-reported questionnaires. One hundred and eight respondents (76.9% of directors, 23.1% of non-directors) completed questionnaires, including purchase frequency of food materials, degree of satisfaction with 'food materials' and 'operating system and service' of group-buying companies. About 60% of child-care centers purchased food materials from major companies. Respondents' overall satisfaction with 'food materials' and 'operating system and service' were '3.55' and '3.72' out of 5 points, respectively. For overall satisfaction with food materials, there were significant differences between 'public (3.79)' and 'private, home-based (3.31)' child-care centers (p=0.023). The results of multi-regression analysis showed that quality (${\beta}$=0.271, p=0.013) and price appropriateness (${\beta}$=0.284, p=0.002) were associated with overall satisfaction with food materials purchased by group-buying companies. The factors such as delivery accuracy about items(${\beta}$=-0.201, p=0.042), hygiene of delivery process (${\beta}$=-0.207, p=0.025) and communication with companies (${\beta}$=-0.317, p=0.003) were significantly associated with overall satisfaction with operating system and service provided by group-buying companies. The results of this study could be utilized for group-buying companies and the government to develop guidelines and policies on food material buying in foodservice at child-care centers.
