Factors affecting attitude towards office gastrodiplomacy among employees of the City Government of Iloilo

Abstract

The meaning of food has been redefined. Human development witnessed the politicization of food and how key messages were relayed through the food that we share or what we simply call “gastrodiplomacy”. This study was conducted to determine the factors that affect attitude towards office gastrodiplomacy among employees of the city government of Iloilo. This is a descriptive-relational study that employed a one-shot survey among 327 respondents. Data were collected using a three-part questionnaire that included questions on: a) socio-demographic profile consisting of age, sex, educational attainment, length of service, monthly income, and nature of job position; b) extent of organizational support composed of staff development, resources, and emotional support; c) attitude towards office gastrodiplomacy consisting the affect, behaviour and cognitive components. It was found out that only age and length of service had a bearing on attitude towards office gastrodiplomacy demonstrating consistent relationship on three attitudinal components. Monthly income was only significant in the affect component. Moreover, in terms of organizational support, only staff development had a bearing while resources and emotional support did not. Finally, it was revealed that there is no sufficient evidence to prove relationship between organizational support and attitude towards office gastrodiplomacy. The findings of this study provide a breakthrough on research on office gastrodiplomacy in the Philippines where such practice is prevalent yet understudied or have not been tackled at all as of writing.