Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess customer satisfaction concerning service quality characteristics of university foodservice by using a developed DINESERV model. In particular, it was intended to develop a tool to assess the difference between customer judgements on importance and customers perceptions with actual service delivery by university foodservices. Quenstionnaires were distributed to 1,000 university students. A total at 820 university students responded with a usable response rate of 77.7%. A statistical data analysis was completed using SAS programs for descriptive analysis; a t-test, chi-square test and Dunan's multiple range test. The results of the study are as follows; 1) The mean number of students visiting university foodservices per week for males was larger than that of females. The students' first choice depended on distance when they selected foodservices. They answered their preference as the first factor when they order a particular menu items in foodservices. The first complaint factor concerning university foodservices was the price of the food. 2) Customers was not satisfied with the quality of the service of university foodservices. The important mean score of the service quality was 3.63 out of 5, but the perception mean score of the service quality was 2.87. Therefore, there was a gap(0.76) between the importance score and perception score. 3) Customers' satisfaction with the service quality by dimensions wee int he follow order: assurance>reliability>responsiveness>tangibles>empathy. Customers were more satisfied with the service quality of contracted management than that of self-operated facilities.

• Keywords: customer satisfaction; DINESERVE; service quality; university foodservices; importance score; perception score;