Determining Software Requirements for the Management of Buffet Food Waste

Abstract

This study aims to determine the requirements of a software system intended for monitoring and reducing food waste generated in accommodation establishments offering buffet service. Designed as a qualitative study, an action research approach was employed within the framework of interpretivist and pragmatist paradigms. During the data collection process, interviews were conducted with a total of 14 participants, consisting of industry professionals working in different positions in the hospitality sector and academics. The obtained data were analyzed using content and descriptive analysis methods. The findings indicated that buffet-originated food waste is mainly associated with guest behavior, uncertainties in demand forecasting, and operational intensity. In the implementation of the software, its impact on operational processes, reluctance of staff and guests, and lack of training emerged as the main challenges. On the other hand, ease of use, reporting features, and menu–waste association were identified as key factors enhancing the effectiveness of the software. Based on the findings, it was concluded that, for the effective management of buffet-originated food waste, waste monitoring and recording processes, along with guest behavior and demand forecasting dimensions, should be addressed through an integrated approach.

Keywords

• Food Waste
• Software Development
• Waste Monitoring
• Preventive Action

Supporting Institution

Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Sakarya University of Applied Sciences

Project Number

131-2023

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this research was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Sakarya University of Applied Sciences.

Thanks

This study was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Sakarya University of Applied Sciences (Project No. 131-2023). The author gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by the SUBÜ Scientific Research Projects Commission. In addition, the author would like to thank TÜBİTAK for the financial support provided under the “Researcher Support Program / 2211-A National PhD Scholarship Program.”

Açık Büfe Kaynaklı Gıda Atıklarının Yönetimine Yönelik Yazılım Gereksinimlerinin Belirlenmesi

Abstract

Bu çalışma, açık büfe servis sunan konaklama işletmelerinde ortaya çıkan gıda atıklarının izlenmesi ve azaltılmasına yönelik bir yazılımın gereksinimlerinin belirlenmesini amaçlamaktadır. Nitel araştırma olarak kurgulanan bu çalışmada yorumlayıcı ve pragmatist paradigmalar çerçevesinde eylem araştırması deseni kullanılmıştır. Veri toplama sürecinde konaklama sektöründe farklı pozisyonlarda görev yapan sektör profesyonelleri ile akademisyenlerden oluşan toplam 14 katılımcıyla görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Elde edilen veriler içerik ve betimsel analiz yöntemleriyle analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, açık büfe kaynaklı gıda atıklarının ağırlıklı olarak misafir davranışları, talep tahminindeki belirsizlikler ve operasyonel yoğunlukla ilişkili olduğu bulunmuştur. Yazılımın uygulanmasında operasyonel sürece etki, personel ve misafir isteksizliği ile eğitim eksikliği temel güçlükler olarak öne çıkmıştır. Buna karşılık, kullanım kolaylığı, raporlama ve menü–atık ilişkilendirmesi yazılımın etkinliğini artıran temel unsurlar olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgulara göre açık büfe kaynaklı gıda atıklarının etkin yönetimi için atık izleme ve kayıt süreçleri ile misafir davranışı ve talep tahmini boyutlarının bütüncül bir yaklaşımla ele alınması gerektiği sonucuna varılmıştır.

Keywords

• Gıda Atığı
• Yazılım Geliştirme
• Atık İzleme
• Önleyici Faaliyet

Supporting Institution

Sakarya Uygulamalı Bilimler Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Koordinatörlüğü

Project Number

131-2023

Ethical Statement

Bu araştırmanın etik kurul izni Sakarya Uygulamalı Bilimler Üniversitesi Etik Kurulundan alınmıştır.

Thanks

Bu çalışma Sakarya Uygulamalı Bilimler Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Koordinatörlüğü tarafından desteklenmiştir. Proje Numarası: 131-2023. Çalışmanın maddi olarak desteklenmesine olanak sağlayan SUBÜ BAP Komisyon Başkanlığına teşekkür ederim. Ayrıca çalışma süresince “Bilim İnsanı Destekleme Programı / 2211-A Genel Yurt İçi Doktora Burs Programı” kapsamında vermiş oldukları maddi destek için TÜBİTAK’a teşekkür ederim.

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