Intention Of Students Research Articles

Enhancing High School Students’ STEM Major Intention Through Digital Competence: A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Survey

Faced with a shortage of college graduates with STEM degrees, many countries are seeking ways to attract more high school students to pursue STEM majors after graduation. This study aims to promote the sustainability of high school students in STEM fields by analyzing the effects of digital competence on the STEM major intentions of high school students. The survey collected data from 2415 participants comprising 1230 females and 1185 males from 16 high schools in China. Using hierarchical logistic regression, the study found that digital competence had significant positive effects on high school students’ STEM major intention. Also, computational thinking was the strongest predictor among the four areas of digital competence. Moreover, latent profile analysis identified two profiles of male students and four profiles of female students. Among male students, advanced male users had the strongest STEM major intention; among female students, low-level female novices had the weakest STEM major intention. Thus, digital competence can be considered an effective way to bridge the gender gap in STEM major selection. Based on the findings, strategies are discussed for improving high school students’ STEM major intentions and promoting digital competence, thereby ensuring the sustainable development of students in STEM fields in the digital era.

Exploring the approaches towards support of academic entrepreneurship: evidence from an emerging market

Over the past three decades, an exponentially growing body on elements and actors of the concept of an entrepreneurial university has emerged. Compared to its western European counterparts, however, the idea of the third role of the university has only recently been implemented in Central and Eastern European countries, and thus both research and entrepreneurial practice grapple with empirical results. In this paper, we attempt to fill this gap while adopting a case study approach to examine the issue of what resources a prominent technical university operating in the emerging market of the Czech Republic transfers to academic ventures to utilise and commercialise university research results. Within a survey, nine academic founders and two university representatives were interviewed to assess the role of university resources in facilitating academic entrepreneurship. Our research results suggest that creating infrastructure to foster the third role of universities in an emerging market is a complex and long-term issue. Formal institutions embedded in the intra-university organisational structure, such as knowledge transfer offices and entrepreneurial centres, need to be equipped with sufficient resources and competences. Skilled people with their own network of contacts to intra-university departments and external environment represented by regional incubators, venture capital providers, business angel associations, and experienced entrepreneurs should be involved in the process of creating and increasing capacity. Furthermore, the upcoming agenda should undoubtedly acknowledge the significant role of entrepreneurship education with a focus on talent recognition and entrepreneurship training to impact the entrepreneurial intentions of researchers and students. Overall, we also conclude that the motivation of academics to commercialise their inventions could be positively affected by the applied concepts of assessing their performance. Finally, this study shows that measures at all management levels have to be adopted to create a vital organisational culture that will be in alignment with the vision of entrepreneurial university. The novelty of this paper is twofold. First, the study provides a useful methodological concept of data collection as the multi-level approach was applied for studying the phenomenon of entrepreneurial university. Furthermore, the research findings have valuable implications for university authorities, as well as national and local policy makers, in creating growth programmes and supporting the entrepreneurial mindset.

Examining the relationship between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intentions at universities of technology in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

High unemployment levels means that graduates are now encouraged to consider entrepreneurship as a career, and it is necessary to understand how entrepreneurship education influences their career choices. We investigated the relationship between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intentions of business management students at selected Universities of Technology (UoT) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We used quantitative research questionnaire to survey the entrepreneurial intentions and skills of students of 224 students enrolled in business courses and had completed a module in entrepreneurship at undergraduate level. Regression analysis of entrepreneurial education variables and entrepreneurial intention was conducted. The findings of this study indicated that Entrepreneurial intention is positively affected by entrepreneurial skills, creativity, leadership, and business experience but negatively by financial knowledge. These results show that while higher levels of financial knowledge have a negative impact on entrepreneurial intention of business students. Therefore, the university curriculum must cultivate traits like resourcefulness, leadership, and ambition which encourages beneficial outcomes of entrepreneurial intention amongst students.

Factors Associated with Volunteering among Saudi Arabian Healthcare College Students

Background Volunteering is a helpful service to society, embodying personal commitment and a spontaneous result of community life. In this study, factors associated with the intention to volunteer among healthcare students in Saudi Arabia were investigated using the theory of planned behavior. Methods This was a cross-sectional, survey-based observational study. The data collection tool comprised eight sections (demographic information, volunteering experience, behavioral intention, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, motivation to volunteer, and satisfaction from volunteering) in accordance with the theory of planned behavior. The sample size was calculated using G*Power software. A descriptive analysis and univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to determine the significant differences among the variables. Results A total of 402 healthcare students completed the survey after obtaining permission from the ethics committee. The average age was 23 (±2.2) years, and a majority of the participants were female (60.5%). Most participants were pharmacy students (39.4%), and the average grade point average of all participants was 4.22 (±0.5). About half of them (49.8%) had previous volunteering experience. A significant association was found between the intention of healthcare students to volunteer and attitude (β = 0.350; p < 0.001), subjective norm (β = 0.116; p = 0.001), perceived behavioral control (β = 0.257; p < 0.001), age (β = −0.203; p = 0.023), male gender (β = −1.068; p = 0.005), and volunteering experience (β = 1.156; p = 0.023). Conclusion Attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, previous volunteering experience, age, and male gender were associated with willingness to volunteer. These findings suggest that healthcare education institutions can develop strategies to engage and motivate student volunteers in community outreach programs. Our study results cannot be generalized, as it was conducted only in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia.

South African Chiropractic Students’ Intentions, Motivations, and Considerations for Emigration: A Cross-Sectional Study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the emigration intentions of South African senior chiropractic students upon graduation, emphasizing motivations and considerations guiding migration decisions. MethodsA cross-sectional, quantitative, and exploratory approach was employed, utilizing an anonymous and adapted online survey administered to chiropractic students at 2 South African institutions (n = 177) between March 15 and May 19, 2021. Data were analyzed using frequencies, descriptions, and cross-tabulations to identify trends and interrelationships related to students’ intentions to emigrate postqualification. ResultsFindings indicate that 75.5% of South African chiropractic senior students intend to emigrate. Motivations for emigration include improved quality of life and seeking of opportunities. Economic instability in South Africa (SA) (82.7%) and concern for the National Health Insurance implementation (57.7%) serve as a significant push factor, whereas economic stability abroad (85.7%) emerged as a key pull factor. Preferred emigration destinations are primarily developed countries with established chiropractic communities. ConclusionHigh emigration intentions among students were driven by diverse push factors in SA, including economic decline, socio-political climates, and safety concerns, contrasting with pull factors abroad, such as better opportunities, living conditions, and economic stability. Concerns regarding healthcare reforms, particularly the National Health Insurance, are also highlighted. Destinations in order of preference such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia offer valuable insights for policy interventions. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing effective retention strategies and addressing socio-economic challenges.

Graduate Students Views in Using Search Engines for Thesis Writing

Search engine market found that Google held a prominent position as the preferred search engine among graduate students. As these students heavily depend on search engines to meet their academic requirements, enjoying advantages such as convenient search outcomes and increased confidence in utilizing web search engines for their thesis writing. This qualitative-descriptive research describes the behavioral intentions of graduate students in using search engines in their thesis writing. The study utilized semi-structured written interview to gather data through google forms and delivered using messenger application to the informants who were purposively selected using purposeful sampling. The information gathered was then analyzed through thematic Analysis. The findings revealed that there are three (3) themes that emerge from the results, namely: Behaviors, Factors, Outcomes, and five (5) meaningful categories, namely: Stress free, Open Mindedness, Transitioning, Peer Influence, and Performance output. The study shows that their use of current technology helped graduate school students by maximizing the use of search engines in their skills in thesis writing.

Enhancing entrepreneurial intentions through managerial skill development in university students: Global review

This review investigates the relationship between managerial skills and an entrepreneurial intention in university students, as well as how universities may help them pursue their business and startup goals. It discovered that excellent managerial abilities and entrepreneurial motivation are critical to success. Universities can assist students build these talents through courses, incubators, and mentorship. Students can be prepared for pioneering entrepreneurial jobs through programs that emphasize strategic planning, leadership, problem solving, and networking and relationship management.

Influence of Brand Promotion on The Reputation of Private Universities with Co-Creation as a Mediating Variable

This study evaluates the influence of private universities' brand promotion, co-creation, and reputation on the purchase intention of prospective students in Palembang. The variables studied include brand promotion as the independent variable, private university reputation as the dependent variable, and co-creation as the mediator variable. This study used quantitative analysis with hypothesis testing and involved eleven randomly selected alumni of private universities in Palembang. The results showed that brand promotion positively and significantly influences private university reputation and co-creation. In addition, co-creation also has a positive and significant influence on private college reputation and acts as a significant mediator in the relationship between brand promotion and college reputation. These findings confirm that brand promotion and co-creation play an essential role in enhancing the reputation of private colleges and attracting prospective students.

Measuring Entrepreneurial Intentions of Students in Northwestern Croatia

This study explores the factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions among students in northwestern Croatia, with a focus on educational background, family entrepreneurial environment, studying experiences, and perceived self-efficacy. Empirical research was conducted between March and June 2024 on a sample of 160 students from northwestern Croatia, and a multiple regression analysis was performed to identify key predictors of entrepreneurial intentions. The results revealed that entrepreneurial self-efficacy significantly impacted students’ intentions to start and run successful businesses, aligning with prior research on entrepreneurial behavior. However, other factors, such as family background and entrepreneurial education, showed no significant influence in this specific regional context. The findings suggest that educational programs should emphasize developing entrepreneurial self-efficacy to foster future entrepreneurs. This study highlights the importance of integrating entrepreneurial activities, such as business plan competitions and start-up incubators, into the curriculum. Limitations related to sample size and cross-sectional design are acknowledged, and future research is encouraged to explore additional factors and larger samples. This research provides valuable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to enhance students’ entrepreneurial capacities and support regional economic development.

Changes in employment psychology of Chinese university students during the two stages of COVID-19 control and their impacts on their employment intentions.

The employment psychology and issues being faced by university students have garnered significant attention after the COVID-19 outbreak. Focusing on Chinese university students, this study compares the changes in their employment psychology between the initial and normalization stages of COVID-19 prevention and control in China and examines their employment choices during the normalization stage. This study also investigates how the transformed employment psychology of these students influences their employment intentions. (1) Chinese university students exhibit stronger feelings of employment confusion, anxiety, stability preference, uneasiness, and inferiority during the normalization stage compared with the initial stage, thus leading to a more negative employment psychology; (2) during the normalization stage, university students display a more pessimistic outlook on their employment situation and show their preference for direct employment, particularly in public institutions, state-owned enterprises, and government organizations. They also show a greater interest in working in first-tier cities than in their hometowns; (3) the employment psychology of these students in the post-pandemic period significantly influences their employment intentions, with employment stability preference psychology playing a crucial role; and (4) the employment stability preference psychology positively and significantly affects the employment intentions of junior college students. Conversely, this employment stability preference psychology has a negative effect on the employment intentions of academic master's and doctoral students. This paper also proposes some strategies to enhance the employment psychology of university students and improve their quality of employment at various levels, including government, school, enterprise, family, and individual.

Crossroads of aspiration: unveiling the migration intentions among university students in North Macedonia

In our work, we analysed the migration intentions of university students from North Macedonia. We used data from a survey with 412 students from the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, the country’s largest and oldest university. The results showed that about two-thirds of the respondents (67 per cent) intend to emigrate. To identify the determinants of the migration intentions, we used logistic regression models, where the migration intention was the dependent variable. We used different sets of socio-demographic and educational variables, the economic status of the respondents, and other factors as independent variables. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the following factors: Housing, environment, and public services; Social activities and community engagement; Advanced and developed society; Enhanced educational and career opportunities; Public services; Economic and social progress; and Family and social well-being. All of them, except the last one, had a statistically significant impact on the students’ intentions to emigrate. Moreover, the students with more educated parents, students with higher academic performance and the students who worked had higher odds of emigrating than the students with parents with lower educational levels, students with lower academic performance and the students who didn’t work while they studied, respectively. The other socio-demographic, educational and economic variables were not statistically significant.

Exploration of the Application and Practice of Digital Twin Technology in Teaching Driven by Smart City Construction

Traditional engineering education cannot effectively respond to the demand for talents in the construction of smart cities. The application of digital twin technology in education is mostly based on case studies and lacks empirical tests. This study takes the practical teaching of a project-based course on smart city parks as an example to explore the action intention of graduate students to use digital twin technology consistently, and to provide a theoretical basis and teaching practice guidance to promote the rational application of digital twin technology in engineering education. This study set up a quasi-experimental design through the digital twin learning system, grouping 24 graduate students with 4 faculty members. The experimental group is digital twin-assisted practical teaching, and the control group is traditional teaching method, the experimental cycle is 12 weeks, and the total lesson time is 24 h. Secondly, combined with UTAUT2 model and TTF theory, the variable factor hypothesis was adopted as the scale design means, and the experimental validity was improved through questionnaire data analysis. Meanwhile, the influencing factors in the use of digital twin platform were recorded in detail through the process of data collection, data processing and modeling, as well as the application practice of digital twin platform. Finally, the results of the comprehensive survey data show that the graduate students in the experimental group are significantly better than the control group in terms of self-confidence, skill enhancement, learning outcomes, and learning experience. All these results provide information for course teaching practice, training professional teaching teams, optimizing innovative teaching paths, and promoting the cultivation and delivery of smart city technology talents.

Factors determining the entrepreneurship intention of university students in South Africa

The purpose of this study is to determine the factors influencing the entrepreneurship intention of students at a distance learning institution in South Africa. An online survey was conducted among students registered at a distance learning institution, and the results confirmed that factors affecting entrepreneurship intention are entrepreneurship education and self-efficacy. Self-efficacy has a stronger effect on entrepreneurship intention than entrepreneurship education. Other factors, namely work readiness, career education and entrepreneurship orientation, did not display such a relationship with entrepreneurship intention, which implies that they do not affect students’ entrepreneurship intention. Universities must make it compulsory for students to study entrepreneurship education by making it a focus of their curriculum design. They must find a way to motivate students to take up entrepreneurship as a career.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and brand outcomes: a case of higher education

Purpose Diversity, equity and inclusion ideology is the latest appeal of individual compassion, institutional legitimacy and enlightened society. Specific to higher education, diversity, equity and inclusion is an honorable ideology, value and mission. This paper aims to (1) empirically recognize the differences in the level of importance between the university’s and faculty’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, (2) identify the diversity, equity and inclusion outcomes, such as university brand image and student intention to engage postgraduation, (3) uncover the moderating role of university brand preference attainment and (4) validate the mediating role of student identification in diversity, equity and inclusion literature. Design/methodology/approach A survey of 1,027 usable responses was employed to perform two moderations, four mediations and two confidence interval analyses. Findings The university’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are significantly more rewarding than the faculty’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for the university brand image and students’ intention to engage postgraduation. Findings uncover the mediating role of student identification and the moderating role of brand preference attainment. Practical implications Focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion at the institutional level is more impactful than at the faculty level. In industries where frontline employees have significant autonomy, such as higher education, the positive brand performance outcomes are related to the faculty’s diversity, equity and inclusion awareness, not the faculty’s diversity, equity and inclusion advocacy. Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives should align with the student’s shared values. Originality/value The study relies on institutional theory to underscore the asymmetric importance of the university’s and faculty’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in achieving perceived brand image and engagement.

Effects of education for entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention in university students

Effects of education for entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention in university students

The Moderating Role of Entrepreneurship Education at the Diploma Level: Predicting Entrepreneurial Intention

This research focuses on the entrepreneurial intentions of diploma students in Indonesia, drawing data from respondents from several selected universities in Indonesia. These intentions are encouraged by entrepreneurship education, which plays an important role in developing students’ entrepreneurial behaviour. In recent years, Indonesia has emphasized the integration of innovative entrepreneurial concepts into university curricula. Entrepreneurship education can also contribute to sustainable business development. In the context of mass entrepreneurship and innovation, entrepreneurship education is important for promoting the restructuring of economic and business models, increasing development momentum, and following an innovation-driven development path. It is used as a moderator in this research to examine its contribution to the relationship between the independent variables used, because previous research exploring its moderating role in higher education circles have not fully confirmed said relationship. This study used a quantitative approach, with a sample size of 582 students consisting of selected universities on the islands of Java and Sumatra, because they have an entrepreneurship curriculum with the largest number of students in Indonesia. This study used an online questionnaire as a data collection medium. Questionnaires were distributed and filled in by respondents from August 2022 to March 2023. The results of the study reveal interesting findings regarding the moderating role of entrepreneurship education in strengthening and weakening the relationship between predictors of entrepreneurial intention. This study then used the theory of planned behaviour to form a research model. Keywords: entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial intention, theory of planned behavior

Branching career pipelines: a latent class analysis of PHD students’ career intentions

Purpose This paper aims to identify patterns in the career intentions of PhD students and explore factors influencing these patterns. Design/methodology/approach Based on data from the Nature 2019 global PhD survey, the paper uses latent class analysis to identify the number and types of patterns in PhD students’ career intentions. Multinomial logistic regressions are used to analyse the influential factors, and means comparisons are used to describe differences in study experiences among career intention patterns. Findings The paper reveals distinct career intentions among PhD students: Pure Academic Enthusiasts (25.60%), Research-Driven Flexibles (28.64%), Neutralists to Non-research (16.27%), Uncertain Career Explorers (13.63%) and Non-academia Pursuers (15.86%). Research-Driven Flexibles, inclusive of researching roles beyond academia, demonstrate similar engagement and academic skills but have more transferable skills compared to Pure Academic Enthusiasts. Uncertain Career Explorers express positivity but show relatively lower engagement and academic skills. Non-academia Pursuers spend above-average time on learning but have the weakest relationship with supervisors, participation in academic activities, campus environmental support and transferable skills. Older doctoral students with dual degrees are less likely to be Uncertain Career Explorers, while those motivated by academic interests are more likely to be Research-Driven Flexibles or Pure Academic Enthusiasts. Originality/value This study provides a more accurate multi-dimensional perspective of PhD students’ career intentions, extending previous research that focused solely on the type of work PhD students sought or the sector in which they desired to work.

The Influence of Emotional Competencies on the Entrepreneurship Intentions of University Students in Colombia

The main objective of this article is to analyze the effect of a group of predictors on entrepreneurial intention from the perspective of emotional competencies. To achieve this aim, a sample of 996 students belonging to ten public and seven private universities was selected, with each university having been granted high-quality accreditation by the Colombian Ministry of Education. The theoretical approach was based on Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and the empirical analysis was based on structural equation models. Eight hypotheses were tested, with entrepreneurial intention as the dependent variable and emotional competencies, subjective norms, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial attitude as independent variables. The information was obtained by applying a questionnaire with a Likert scale to students of subjects related to entrepreneurship. From the findings of the study, it is concluded that in the two ecosystems analyzed (public and private), emotional competencies (EC) have neither a direct influence on entrepreneurial intention (EI) nor an indirect one since no significant influence is observed between emotional competencies and entrepreneurial attitude; however, a direct and positive effect was recorded between the self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitude constructs on entrepreneurial intention. In addition, it is observed that subjective norms (SN) do not directly affect EI, but they do influence it indirectly, being mediated by entrepreneurial attitude and self-efficacy. The contribution of this study is focused on obtaining a better understanding of the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in Colombia, which will make it possible to foster strategies for the generation of youth employment and public policies to promote various entrepreneurial initiatives. This could be based on government regulations adopted in the last decade, which are still under development, and the broad participation of university students and research groups of higher education institutions. Furthermore, given the dearth of research examining the impact of emotional competencies on the entrepreneurial intentions of young Colombian university students, this study aims to bridge the existing knowledge gap, thereby contributing to the development of a more robust body of literature that can inform the design and implementation of educational strategies and public policies aimed at fostering entrepreneurship within the university ecosystems of this country.

The Interplay Between Social Entrepreneurial Knowledge, Prosocial Motivation, Perceived Access to Finance and Social Entrepreneurial Intention

Building on insights from human capital and self-determination theories, this study examines the chain mediating effect of prosocial motivation and perceived access to finance in the linkage between social entrepreneurial knowledge and social entrepreneurial intention. Using survey data from 330 university students from Nigeria, the findings show that social entrepreneurial knowledge is positively linked with social entrepreneurial intention, and that prosocial motivation mediates this relationship. Perceived access to finance also positively intervened in the link between social entrepreneurial knowledge and social entrepreneurial intention. Finally, prosocial motivation and perceived access to finance had a significant serial mediating effect on the influence of social entrepreneurial knowledge on social entrepreneurial intention of university students. The study concludes with academic and practical implications for educators and policymakers in under-researched Sub-Saharan African contexts like Nigeria.

Location of entrepreneurial zones in Latin America: a spatial analysis

This study analyzes spatial patterns in the entrepreneurial intention of university students in Latin America. Studies on the entrepreneurial phenomenon have paid little attention to possible spatial associations, which might explain the dissimilar resultsreported by prior work. The analysis uses a sample of 70,337 university students drawn from the GUESSS survey. The results of the exploratory spatial model reveal significant spatial patterns in Costa Rica and Panama with a high entrepreneurial intention (hot spots). This study can serve as a basis for developing public policies to promote entrepreneurship and, when appropriate, propose articulated and coordinated strategic initiatives between countries located in the identified clusters (hot/cold spots).