Foodservice Systems Management Exam 1: Chapter 1

What is a system?

A collection of interrelated parts or subsystems unified by design to obtain one or more objectives

What is a subsystem?

A complete system in itself but not independent

What are two ways that a subsystem can be a complete system in itself but not independent?

-An interdependent part of the whole system

-A system that functions to aid the larger system

What are three parts of the basic system?

-The Input

-Transformation

-The Output

How may the input of a basic system model be defined?

May be defined as any human, physical, or operational resource

What are some examples of the input in a basic system model?

-Employees

-Equipment

What does the transformation part of a basic system model involve?

Any action or activity used in changing input into output

What is an example of the transformation in a basic system model?

Activities involved in the production of food

What is the output of a basic system model?

The achievement of the system's goal

What is an example of the output in a basic system model?

High food quality

What are elements involved in the transformation of the foodservice system?

-Functional subsystems

-Management functions

-The linking processes

How are functional subsystems classified?

Based on the purpose

What are different purposes that functional subsystems could have?

-Procurement

-Production

-Distribution and service

-Safety

-Sanitation

-Maintenance

What are management functions?

Functions performed by managers to coordinate the subsystems in accomplishing the systems objectives

What are examples of management functions?

-Planning

-Organizing

-Staffing

-Directing

-Controlling

What are the linking processes?

-Decision making

-Communication

-Balance

What is decision making as a linking process?

The selection by management of a course of action from a variety of alternatives

What is something to not about communication as a linking process?

What channels can be used and when?

What is balance as a linking process?

Management's ability to maintain organizational stability

Where is balance carried out as a linking process?

Under shifting technological, economic, political, and social conditions

What are the three outputs of he foodservice system?

-Meal quantity and quality

-Financial accountability

-Customer and employee satisfaction

What is customer satisfaction?

A measurement that identifies how happy customers are with a product, service, or company

What is customer satisfaction closely related to?

The types and quality of food and services provided and the customer's expectations

What does customer satisfaction do?

Help to build up their loyalty and increase positive word-of-mouth

What does employee (job) satisfaction do?

Assists employees in achieving personal and organizational objectives

What are examples of how employee satisfaction assists them in achieving personal and organizational objectives?

-Work-family balance

-Compensation

-Benefits

What are employees?

internal customers

What does good employee satisfaction do?

-Enhance the effectiveness of a system (better employee work performance)

-Reduce turnover intention

What is financial accountability important for?

Either a for-profit or not-for-profit foodservice organization

What is the control part of a foodservice system?

Performs functions

What does control of a foodservice system ensure?

-Use resources effectively and efficiently in accomplishing organizational objectives

-Organization is functioning within legal and regulatory constraints

-Provides standards for evaluation

What internal control consist of?

Consists of plans

What are examples of internal control?

-The goals and objectives

-Standards

-Policies and procedures

What are specific plans of internal control?

-Different types of menus

-Security

-Pest control

-Laundry services

What does external control consists of?

Regulations and contracts with outside companies

What is memory a part of?

Control

What is memory as a part of control?

All stored information and provides historical records of the system's operations

-Ex) maintenance record

What does memory do as a part of control?

-Assist the manager in making plans

-Avoid repetition of past mistakes

-Influence of technology innovation

What are environmental factors of a foodservice system model?

Things that occur outside of the food service system yet impact some components of the system

What are examples of environmental factors of a foodservice system model?

-Technological innovation

-Globalization

-Political changes

What is important to consider about environmental factors of a foodservice system model?

It is important for managers to scan the external environment

What is feedback in a foodservice system model?

A system continually receives information from its internal and external environment

What does feedback do for a foodservice system model?

Maintains viability of the system

What are examples of feedback for a foodservice system model?

-Surveys and focus group

-Meal rounds in healthcare

What is feedback that a foodservice manager must evaluate?

-Comments from customers

-plate waste

-patronage

-profit or loss

-employee performance and morale

What are characteristics of open systems?

-Interdependency

-Permeability of boundaries

-Dynamic equilibrium

-Equifinality

What is interdependency as a characteristic of open systems?

The reciprocal relationship of the parts of a system

How does the interdependency characteristic of open system view the organization?

-View the organization as a whole rather than the parts

-Each part mutually affects the others

What is implied by interdependency as a characteristic of open systems?

Interaction of units of an organization

What is a part of interdependency?

Integration

What is integration?

The result of effective interaction

What occurs with integration?

-Shares the objectives of the entire organization

-Leads to synergy

What is the belief of synergy?

Working together is better than operating separately

What does the permeability of boundaries of an open system allow?

It allows the system to be penetrated or affected by the changing external environment

-ex) food availability during covid

What is interface as related to the permeability of boundaries in an open system?

The area of interdependency between two system or two subsystems

What is it called when there's interface within an organization?

Tension

What are some examples of interface?

-Suppliers

-Government agencies

-Community organizations

-Unions

What does interface help?

To manage the expectations of quality

What is dynamic equilibrium as a characteristic of open systems?

A continous response and adaptation of a system to its internal and external enviornment

What does dynamic equilibrium as a characteristic of open systems include?

All the conditions and circumstances

What are examples of dynamic equilibrium?

Changes in eating patterns cause menu changes

-Ex) KFC in China

What is equifinality as a characteristic of open systems?

A same or similar output could be achieved by different inputs or varying transformation processes

What are different operating practices?

-Self-operation

-Partnering (different from partnership)

-Contracting

What is the self-operation operating practice?

The foodservice operation is managed by an employee of the company

What does the employee who manages the foodservice operation under self-operation assume?

Full responsibility and authority for all functions

Who does the employee who manages the foodservice operation under self-operation report to?

An administrator

What is partnering as an operating practice?

A mutual commitment by two parties on the primary objective of improving performance through communications

What does partnering as an operating practice do?

-Establishes mutual goals and objectives

-Builds trust and encourages open communication

-Enables the parties to anticipate and resolve issues

-Focuses on the mutual interests of the two parties

What is contracting as an operating practice?

An agreement between two or more persons to do or not to do something

What is an example of contracting as an operating practice?

Contracting with an organization to run the foodservice operations

-Sodexo

What should contracting as an operating practice have?

-Duties, responsibilities, and obligations

-The operational, legal and other remedies to problems

-A written record of the terms agreed upon