Kevin R. Roberts

Food Safety Practices Lacking in Independent Ethnic Restaurants

This study compared compliance with the Food Code between ethnic and non-ethnic restaurants and identified specific food safety practices needing improvement. Frequencies for 275 individual Kansas Food Code violations and the number of critical and noncritical violations were compared between independent ethnic, chain ethnic, independent non-ethnic, and chain non-ethnic restaurants. Independent ethnic restaurants had significantly more critical and noncritical violations than the other three types of restaurants. The majority of differences in code violations were found between independent ethnic restaurants and the other three categories. Overall, non-ethnic restaurants had higher food code compliance scores than independent and chain ethnic restaurants.

Motivating Foodservice Employees to Follow Safe Food Handling Practices: Perspectives from a Multigenerational Workforce

Hospitality managers deal with a very diverse workforce, employing workers from up to four different generations, which poses a challenge for managers as they attempt to train and motivate employees. Food safety is of particular concern in foodservice organizations. This study assessed the generational differences related to foodservice employees’ perceptions of their supervisors’ roles in food safety and how supervisors could improve their effectiveness. A mixed methods approach (survey and focus groups) was used. Qualitative data analysis revealed four themes: Consistency, training, managers’ behaviors, and employees’ behaviors. Based on these, best practices are suggested for motivating a multigenerational workforce.

Predicting and explaining behavioral intention and hand sanitizer use among US Army soldiers

HighlightsBehavioral beliefs explained 64% of the variance regarding behavioral intention.Attitude was the strongest predictor of behavioral intention.Family/friends, medical providers, and leadership were important referent groups.Soldiers with absolute intention perceived stronger attitudes and social norms.Negative social pressure from peers not to use hand sanitizers impacted behavior. Background: Using hand sanitizers can reduce bacterial contamination and is an efficient and inexpensive method of preventing infections. The purpose of this study was to explore the behavioral intention (low and absolute), attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control of hand sanitizer use among US Army soldiers. Methods: A questionnaire was developed following an expert panel (N = 5) review and 2 pilot studies (N = 35) to ensure questionnaire validity and clarity. Surveys were distributed among nontrainee soldiers during lunch periods. A total of 201 surveys were collected. Results: Results indicated that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral controls explained 64% of the variance in behavioral intention. Attitude remained the strongest predictor of behavior (&bgr; = 0.70, P < .01), followed by subjective norms (&bgr; = 0.18; P < .01), with significant differences between low and absolute intenders. Conclusions: Soldiers with absolute intention to use hand sanitizers hold significantly different behavioral and normative beliefs than low intenders. Other soldiers create negative social pressure about using hand sanitizers, indicating that if other soldiers use hand sanitizers, they will refuse to do so. Intervention to ensure use of hand sanitizer should focus on strengthening behavioral and normative beliefs among low intenders. This should increase the overall well being of the military.