Title- A Study on Student Perceptions of Campus Canteen Service Quality and Efficiency
Authors- Tejas Nilange- 92
Sahil Suradkar- 104
Ayush Gawai – 64
Introduction-
The campus canteen is a vital facility for the student body, yet there are ongoing concerns regarding its overall service quality. This research evaluates student satisfaction with campus canteen services, focusing on how food quality, pricing, and overall environment impact the daily academic experience. By identifying service gaps and student preferences, the study aims to provide actionable insights for enhancing campus dining standards and student well-being.
Objective-
To understand the issue of the underlying problem.
Literature Review-
1. Evaluating Institutional Influence on Nutritional Habits Among Mumbai’s College Students.
Gupta and Bavare (2026) the paper asserts that college canteens in Mumbai are “food swamps,” offering predominantly unhealthy food despite students’ healthy eating intentions. Institutional neglect results in limited nutritious options and a lack of nutrition-related activities, widening the gap between awareness and action. Students feel colleges should promote healthier choices, yet satisfaction with existing efforts is low. The authors call for accountability measures, including nutritional labelling and subsidized healthy menus.
2. A Multi-Dimensional Assessment of Canteen Service Quality and Student Satisfaction in Higher Education.
Raya and Bajracharya (2023) examine the critical relationship between canteen service quality and student satisfaction within a campus environment. The researchers utilized a validated questionnaire to assess various service dimensions, finding that students generally perceive canteen services as “moderately satisfactory” with an overall mean rating of 3.28. Their analysis highlights that factors such as food variety, hygiene, and pricing are central determinants of the student experience. The study concludes that while basic needs are often met, there is a significant opportunity for campus administrations to enhance student well-being by improving facility tangibility and staff responsiveness. Ultimately, the authors recommend implementing formal feedback mechanisms to bridge the gap between student expectations and the current quality of on-campus dining.
Data Collection-
For our problem we have chosen the topic as “A Study on Student Perceptions of Campus Canteen Service Quality and Efficiency”. We have framed 5 questions to be asked on Likert scale.
The Questions/ Statements are as follows:
Q.1- The canteen offers a sufficient variety of food options.
Q.2- The food quality justifies the price charged.
Q.3- The seating and serving areas are well-maintained and clean.
Q.4- The waiting time during peak hours is acceptable.
Q.5- The canteen staff is polite and helpful.
Google form was framed with linear option. 1 as strongly disagree and 5 as strongly agree for each question. The google form was personally shared with our classmates and colleagues who daily use the campus canteen. After surveying 100 students, responses were downloaded in excel sheet. For each question Mean, Standard Deviation (SD), Standard Error (SE) and Z (T Stat) were calculated.
Data analysis-
|
|
Q.1 |
Q.2 |
Q.3 |
Q.4 |
Q.5 |
|
Mean |
2.94 |
3.09 |
4.22 |
3.27 |
4.34 |
|
SD |
1.19 |
1.11 |
0.85 |
1.03 |
0.86 |
|
SE |
0.12 |
0.11 |
0.08 |
0.10 |
0.09 |
|
T- Stat |
-0.51 |
0.81 |
14.39 |
2.61 |
15.67 |
|
Result |
Accepted Negatively |
Accepted Positively |
Accepted Positively |
Accepted Positively |
Accepted Positively |
Conclusion-
1) Students want more different food options in the menu.
2) Students feel that the price compared to food quality is average.
3) Students feel that the dining area is clean and well maintained.
4) Students do not see it as a big problem, but it can still be improved.
5) Students are very happy with the staff’s behaviour, service, and support.
References-
1. Gupta, M., & Bavare, A. (2025). Research on nutritional awareness and food habits among the college students of Mumbai: The role of institutions and canteen. SSRN.
2. Raya, R., & Bajracharya, R. B. (2023). Assessing student satisfaction with campus canteen services: A descriptive study. People’s Journal of Management, 11(1), 75–86.