Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore factors influencing behavioral intention to provide food safety training and to identify preferred food safety training methods among Chinese restaurateurs in the U.S.
Methods: Randomly selected 500 owners/operators of independent, traditional, full-service Chinese restaurants across the U.S. received questionnaires via mail, personal visits, or faxes. The survey instrument was developed based on the literature review and results of the elicitation study (individual interviews), validated, and pilot-tested prior to data collection. Variables were Chinese cultural values (CCVs) and food safety training related variables: Chinese restaurateurs’ attitudes, personal influences, perceived barriers, and past food safety training experience. Descriptive statistics for data summary and inferential statistics such as an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), hierarchical multiple regression, and ANOVA were conducted to explore core CCVs and relationships among variables.
Results: A total 261 restaurateurs completed the survey (52.2%). Seventeen CCVs related to food safety behaviors, training, and relationships with health inspectors were identified. ‘Courtesy’, ‘respect’, and ‘harmony’ were the three most important CCVs; and customers, family members, and business partners were the most important personal influences for Chinese restaurateurs. Employees’ physical exhaustion, learning capability, and financial resources were the top three barriers to providing food safety training. EFA grouped all CCVs into five CCV factors. Of those, ‘Customer Relations’ and ‘Interpersonal Relations’ had significant effects on the intention to provide food safety training. Food safety training manuals in Chinese was the preferred training method among Chinese restaurateurs.
Significance: Results may help food safety educators and inspectors better understand Chinese restaurateurs by learning cultural differences and develop more effective strategies to encourage safe food handling and training in these restaurants.