The Mediating Effects of Time Management on Accounting Students' Perception of Time Pressure, Satisfaction with the Major, and Academic Performance.

Abstract

This paper models a relationship between accounting students' individual characteristics (locus of control and personal need for structure) and two identified outcome measures (satisfaction with the accounting major and academic performance). Two sets of mediating variables (1) perception of time pressure on exams and (2) time management behaviors and related perceived control of time are hypothesized to be important to this relationship. Results support a strong influence of locus of control and a significant, but weaker, influence of desire for structure on time management behavior. These behaviors, in turn, influence perceived control of time and satisfaction, but not performance. Locus of control also has a weak relationship with performance via its influence on time pressure on exams. These results suggest potential benefit of counseling accounting students on time management behaviors, especially for those students with high need for structure or internal locus of control. Additionally, they suggest perceived control of time as an important determinant of fit with an accounting career path.