Cleanliness unravelled: a review and integration of literature

Perception of quality and adoption of health-preventive measures in gym-goers after the COVID-19 pandemic peak in Italy

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity and exercise patterns among gym-goers in Italy and their health-related behaviours at the gym after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in Italy. In addition to that, their perception of the hygiene standards and safety of gyms, according to several individual variables, was evaluated.

METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data of individuals who were recruited from gyms between May and June 2023. Descriptive statistics were carried out to describe the sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics of the sample and the perceived quality of the gyms. Each association between variables was assessed by using bivariate analysis, and after verifying its statistical significance, two logistic regression models were performed using the perceived quality of the gym and the likelihood of adoption of health-preventive measures as dependent variables.

RESULTS

The study involved 1321 participants, with a nearly equal gender distribution. Most of the sample was aged between 18 and 25, unmarried, and approximately 45% were students. Most engaged in moderate physical activity, mainly free-weight lifting and machine exercises, 3-5 times a week for 1-2 h in the evening. Participants generally rated the gym positively, with 34.49% considering it "Good" and 39.23% rating it "Very good." Ratings from females were slightly lower compared to those from males. The age group 18-25 rated the gym higher, while higher education levels were associated with slightly lower ratings. The analysis of health-preventive behaviours, including practices such as using personal towels, sanitising equipment, respecting safety distances, revealed that approximately 41.3% of the participants were likely to adopt those measures, with an additional 23.3% categorised as "very likely." Males showed a greater inclination towards these behaviours compared to females. In particular, the perceived quality of the gym influenced individuals' likelihood of adopting health-preventive measures. This indicates that factors such as hygiene, adequacy, and safety of the environment can influence individuals' motivation to engage in health-preventive behaviours.

CONCLUSIONS

Italian gym-goers generally perceived the quality of the gyms positively, with safety and cleanliness impacting their satisfaction and the adoption of health-preventive behaviours. Sociodemographic factors significantly influence these perceptions and behaviours, highlighting the need for safer, health-focused fitness facilities to promote physical activity, public health, and sustainable fitness habits and emphasising the need to understand user preferences for enhanced customer satisfaction, loyalty, and well-being through tailored management strategies and preventive measures.

Subconscious influences on perceived cleanliness in hospitality settings

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, now and for years to come, guests at hospitality venues will have heightened awareness with regard to formulating their perceptions of cleanliness. While perceived cleanliness has received attention in our existing body of literature, this conceptual paper integrates potential subconscious influencers on cleanliness perceptions into our understanding. Specifically, findings contained in various streams of research suggest that a number of factors can have subconscious influences on individuals' perceptions of cleanliness in service environments. Such factors include the degree of lighting, the presence of plants / greenery, the shininess of surfaces, the use of ambient scents, the use of white bedding, and the presence of cleaning staff. Evidently, the sooner hospitality venues (particularly airlines, lodging operations, restaurants, and cruise ships) are perceived as clean and safe, the faster they will recover from the pandemic. As such, this paper is rich with both practical and research implications.

Productivity as a value parameter for FM and CREM

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how facilities management (FM) and corporate real estate management (CREM) can add value to organisations by contributing to improved productivity of knowledge workers, and to explore interrelationships between productivity, employee satisfaction and other value parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a literature research of possible contributions of FM and CREM to improved labour productivity in relation to five activity areas of FM/CREM (portfolio management, project management, space and workplace management, property management and service management) and a first exploration of interrelationships between productivity and other value parameters.

Findings

The findings indicate that FM and CREM most directly can contribute to productivity by space and workplace management that supports different types of work and organisational activities. Portfolio and project management can mostly contribute by providing appropriate locations, adjacency relations between different parts of the organisation and supporting process flow and logistics. Property management can contribute to productivity by ensuring business continuity and comfortable indoor climate. Service management can contribute by relieving staff from trivial tasks by efficient services and by providing exiting experiences. Productivity shows to be mainly positively related to satisfaction; insights into interrelationships with other value parameters are still limited.

Practical implications

The results can be used to obtain a deeper understanding of how FM and CREM can add value to organisations by contributing to improved labour productivity. Practitioners can find inspiration on how to contribute to labour productivity and additional benefits within specific activity areas of FM and CREM. The exploration of interrelationships between productivity and other values can be used as input to a future research agenda.

Originality/value

The paper adds new insights to the growing body of knowledge about how FM/CREM can contribute to increased labour productivity and how other value parameters may be interrelated with productivity.

Field testing of a prototype mechanical dry toilet flush

A prototype of a non-fluid based mechanical toilet flush was tested in a semi-public, institutional setting and in selected peri-urban households in eThekwini municipality, Republic of South Africa. The mechanism's functionality and users' perception of the flush were assessed. User perception varied depending on background: Users accustomed to porcelain water flush toilets were open to, yet reserved about the idea of using a waterless flush in their homes. Those who commonly use Urine Diversion Dehydration Toilets were far more receptive. The user-centred field trials were complemented by a controlled laboratory experiment, using synthetic urine, -faeces, and -menstrual blood, to systematically assess the efficiency of three swipe materials to clean the rotating bowl of the flush. A silicone rubber with oil-bleed-effect was found to be the best performing material for the swipe. Lubrication of the bowl prior to use further reduced fouling. A mechanical waterless flush that does not require consumables, like plastic wrappers, is a novelty and could - implemented in existing dry toilet systems - improve acceptance and thus the success of waterless sanitation.

Into the light: effects of the presence of cleaning staff on customer experience

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine how the presence of cleaning staff affects perceptions and satisfaction of train passengers. Day-time cleaning is becoming increasingly popular in (public) service environments. It is however unknown how the presence of cleaning staff in the service environment affects perceptions and satisfaction of end-users.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experimental field studies were performed. Data for the first study were collected on the trajectory between the train station of Assen and the station of Groningen (N= 506) in the northern part of the Netherlands. Data for the second study were collected on the trajectory between train station “Amsterdam Amstel” and train station “Utrecht Centraal” (N= 1,113) in the central part of the Netherlands. In the experimental condition, two cleaners collected waste and performed minor cleaning activities (i.e. empty trash bins, cleaning doors and tables) during the journey. After the first study, cleaners received hospitality training and corporate uniforms.

Findings

The presence of cleaning staff positively influenced train passengers’ perceptions and satisfaction. Effects were stronger in the second study, after the second consecutive intervention (i.e. hospitality training, corporate uniforms). In both studies, the presence of cleaners positively influenced passengers’ perceptions of staff, cleanliness and comfort. The perception of atmosphere was only significant after the intervention.

Practical implications

The findings of this study allow in-house and corporate facility managers to better understand the possible effects of the presence of their cleaning staff on end-user perceptions and satisfaction.

Originality/value

The study’s value lies in its human centred approach by demonstrating the importance of day-time cleaning. This area of research has been largely neglected in the field of facilities and (public) services management research.