Research Articles

Factors Affecting Customer Satisfaction on Catering Services in General Santos City, Philippines

ABSTRACT

This research aimed to comprehensively analyze factors influencing customer satisfaction in General Santos City's catering services industry. The study delved into critical aspects such as food quality, service timeliness, staff professionalism, menu variety, pricing perception, venue ambiance, menu customization options, dietary preferences, and event planning and coordination. The research identified a crucial gap necessitating a more focused examination of factors affecting customer satisfaction within the local catering service industry. While existing research provides a broader understanding, a local perspective is indispensable for tailoring services to local preferences and potentially contributing innovative strategies to enhance customer satisfaction. The research design employed was a cross-sectional exploratory with a quantitative focus. A structured, validated questionnaire using Likert scales was crafted to assess key factors like food quality, service timeliness, and pricing perception. Employing a multi-stage sampling technique, data were collected from 68 customers who had availed catering services in General Santos City. The results offer valuable insights into the significant factors influencing customer satisfaction within the unique socio-economic and cultural setting of General Santos City. The study's conclusions underscore that catering businesses must prioritize providing high-quality food, timely service, and professional staff to enhance customer satisfaction. These findings provide actionable insights for strategic improvements, focusing on pivotal aspects such as food quality and event planning to elevate customer satisfaction. 

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8423716

Author: (Diaz, 2023)

Comparative Economic Analysis of Asian Countries: Evaluating Philippines' Performance in Relation to Regional Peers and Global Economic Trends 

ABSTRACT

This study presents a comparative economic analysis of the Philippines' economic performance alongside its regional peers (Countries in Asia), as of August, 2023. The study examines key economic indicators to discern unique patterns and trends. Notably, the Philippines experienced a contraction in GDP growth rate, recording -0.9%, in contrast to China and India's positive growth rates of 6.3% and 6.1% respectively. The Philippines' GDP annual growth rate of 4.3% remains notably lower than China's 6.3%, revealing varying growth trajectories. The GDP of the Philippines is valued at $404 billion USD, significantly smaller than China's $17963 billion USD and India's $3385 billion USD, highlighting distinct scales of economic output. Intriguingly, the Philippines' GDP from construction surged from $281.1 billion PHP to $924.3 billion PHP, demonstrating significant growth in construction activities. This contrasts with China's construction-driven economy fueled by urbanization and infrastructure development. The resilient services sector in the Philippines contributes a substantial GDP of $3.23 trillion PHP, surpassing India's services sector contribution of $275.8 billion USD. In summary, the economic landscape of the Philippines in 2023 showcases unique dynamics. Despite facing a contraction in GDP growth and slower annual growth compared to certain peers, robust sectors like construction and services contribute to the nation's economic vitality. The comparison with China, India, Bhutan, and East Timor underscores the Philippines' distinctive position in terms of scale and growth prospects, reflecting an intricate interplay of economic forces within the region.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8293800

Author: (Diaz, 2023)