Strong Significant Influence Research Articles

A secure framework for SMS-based service delivery in m-government using a multicast encryption scheme

The use of mobile devices has revolutionised the world. Their affordability, high availability and usage convenience could transform the current governance to mobile government. However, in literature, the existing m-government architecture in Africa does not adequately consider security in its feature. This paper proposes a framework for mobile government using SMS as a tool, which is considered affordable, reliable and secure for Nigerian government. The adoptable framework has four major components, namely: m-government administration, security/privacy, m-services and m-participation/trust. A secure platform for this SMS transmission based on multicast encryption system is presented with some policies to guide its adoption. A prototype of the proposed design is implemented on a peer-peer platform in order to display the uniqueness of the framework. To examine the readiness of the population for its adoption in Nigeria, this paper analyses the use of the technological acceptance model. Seventy questionnaires were administered to citizens, measuring their responses to perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), attitudes towards usage (ATU) and behavioural intention to use (BIU) the mobile system. The results of the study indicated that citizens’ PEOU had a significant influence on ATU. Subsequently, PEOU had the strongest significant influence on PU. From data analysis, 95% of the respondents indicated a usability acceptance.

Kualitas Mikrobiologis Udara di Salah Satu Pusat Perbelanjaan di Jakarta Selatan

The airborne bacteria and fungi in parking building, playground and food court in Blok M Square, South Jakarta, were assessed in order to investigate air quality in one of the shopping center in Jakarta. The air sample was passed through plate count agar and potato dextrose agar using a single-stage multi-orifice Sampler SKC Biostage Standard. Results showed that average microbial concen-trations were 200.17, 101.17, 55, 33 CFU bacteria per m3, and 109.54, 37.69, 27.09 CFU fungi per m3 of air volume in the parking building, the children playground and the food court, respectively. The most dominating bacteria had characteristicsresembleairborne Bacillus subtilis, while the most dominating fungi wereidentified as Cryptococcus sp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium sp. and Candida sp. The microbial concentrations were different significantly (α=0,05) inall the three areas. In addition, there were strong relationship and significant influence between the concentrations of bacteria and fungi to temperature, humidity and light intensity in in all the three areas based on Pearson correlation analysis. For today, there is no air quality standard specifically for shopping center, so the data were compared tocommon standards for indoor air quality. The concentration of bacteria and fungi met the standard regulated by TheMinistry of Health Republic of IndonesiaNo.1405/MENKES/SK/ XI/2002 about Environmental Requirements for Office and Industrial., i.e <700 CFU/m3, and acceptable according to World Health Organization (WHO) with 500 CFU/m3 as a normal condition. In any case, it is advisable to be aware ofthe spread of airborne bacteria and fungi in shopping centersthat are potentially pathogenic.

Modelling the acceptance and use of electronic learning at the University of Zululand

We present a new and compelling method to help understand some of the important needs, perceptions and expectations of users of existing electronic learning (e-learning) resources at the University of Zululand by contextualising the pedagogic place in this blended tertiary learning environment of e-learning resources and confirming their acceptance by both academic staff and students. Predicting their acceptance was achieved conceptually by adopting the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model and statistically validating its application to predict the behavioural intentions and usage behaviour of the primary users towards e-learning using a positivist epistemological belief and deductive reasoning. This paper also embraces an interpretive research paradigm to include the researchers’ views on the topic. Partial Least Squares structural equation modelling and inferential statistics predicted the level of acceptance of e-learning by academic staff (adjusted R 2 = 0.41) and students (adjusted R 2 = 0.39) and illustrated the strengths and significances of the postulated UTAUT relationships and their moderating effects. Academic performance gains proved to be the strongest significant influence on both sets of primary users’ intentions to use e-learning. Although the results may not be generalised to other institutions, they do contribute to UTAUT’s theoretical validity and empirical applicability to the management of e-learning-based initiatives. We argue that the high predictive accuracies found in Venkatesh et al. (2003) could be obtained if significant moderators contextualised to the education sector were added to the structural equation model, although cognisance of maintaining a parsimonious structural equation model should also be taken into consideration before inflating the coefficient of determination (R 2 ), which is a measure of how well a data set fits a statistical model (in this case UTAUT). A R 2 value of 1 indicates a perfect fit – with the observed outcomes being replicated in the model – while a R 2 value of 0 indicates that the data set does not fit the model at all. R 2 values closer to 1 allow more predictable future outcomes, which in this study was the acceptance of existing e-learning resources by the primary users.

Modeling antecedents of electronic medical record system implementation success in low-resource setting hospitals.

BackgroundWith the increasing implementation of Electronic Medical Record Systems (EMR) in developing countries, there is a growing need to identify antecedents of EMR success to measure and predict the level of adoption before costly implementation. However, less evidence is available about EMR success in the context of low-resource setting implementations. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap by examining the constructs and relationships of the widely used DeLone and MacLean (D&M) information system success model to determine whether it can be applied to measure EMR success in those settings.MethodsA quantitative cross sectional study design using self-administered questionnaires was used to collect data from 384 health professionals working in five governmental hospitals in Ethiopia. The hospitals use a comprehensive EMR system since three years. Descriptive and structural equation modeling methods were applied to describe and validate the extent of relationship of constructs and mediating effects.ResultsThe findings of the structural equation modeling shows that system quality has significant influence on EMR use (β = 0.32, P < 0.05) and user satisfaction (β = 0.53, P < 0.01); information quality has significant influence on EMR use (β = 0.44, P < 0.05) and user satisfaction (β = 0.48, P < 0.01) and service quality has strong significant influence on EMR use (β = 0.36, P < 0.05) and user satisfaction (β = 0.56, P < 0.01). User satisfaction has significant influence on EMR use (β = 0.41, P < 0.05) but the effect of EMR use on user satisfaction was not significant. Both EMR use and user satisfaction have significant influence on perceived net-benefit (β = 0.31, P < 0.01; β = 0.60, P < 0.01), respectively. Additionally, computer literacy was found to be a mediating factor in the relationship between service quality and EMR use (P < 0.05) as well as user satisfaction (P < 0.01). Among all the constructs, user satisfaction showed the strongest effect on perceived net-benefit of health professionals.ConclusionEMR implementers and managers in developing countries are in urgent need of implementation models to design proper implementation strategies. In this study, the constructs and relationships depicted in the updated D&M model were found to be applicable to assess the success of EMR in low resource settings. Additionally, computer literacy was found to be a mediating factor in EMR use and user satisfaction of health professionals. Hence, EMR implementers and managers in those settings should give priority in improving service quality of the hospitals like technical support and infrastructure; providing continuous basic computer trainings to health professionals; and give attention to the system and information quality of the systems they want to implement.

An Integrated Expert User with End User in Technology Acceptance Model for Actual Evaluation

&lt;span&gt;Effective evaluation is necessary in order to ensure systems adequately meet the requirements and information processing needs of the users and scope of the system. Technology acceptance model is one of the most popular and effective models for evaluation. A number of studies have proposed evaluation frameworks to aid in evaluation work. The end users for evaluation the acceptance of new technology or system have a lack of knowledge to examine and evaluate some features in the new technology/system. This will give a fake evaluation results of the new technology acceptance. This paper proposes a novel evaluation model to evaluate user acceptance of software and system technology by modifying the dimensions of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and added additional success dimensions for expert users. The proposed model has been validated by an empirical study based on a questionnaire. The results indicated that the expert users have a strong significant influence to help in evaluation and pay attention to some features that end users have lack of knowledge to evaluate it.&lt;/span&gt;

The influence of information sharing, supplier trust and supplier synergy on supplier performance: The case of small and medium enterprises

Background: The assessment of supplier performance is an important activity for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) as they adopt and implement plans and policies aimed at enhancing their performance in order to achieve sustainable competitive advantages.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of information sharing, supplier trust and supplier synergy on supplier performance in SMEs.Method: A quantitative research design was adopted in which a survey questionnaire was administered to a sample of 309 owners and managers of SMEs based in southern Gauteng, South Africa. A confirmatory factor analysis was undertaken to assess the properties of the measurement scale. Hypotheses were tested using the path modelling technique.Results: Information sharing exerted a moderate positive and significant influence on supplier trust and a weak but sigificant influence on supplier synergy. Supplier synergy had a strong positive and significant influence on supplier performance. However, the influence of supplier trust on supplier performance was weak and insignificant.Conclusion: The study provides a useful framework for analysing the interplay between information sharing, supplier trust, supplier synergy and supplier performance in SMEs.

Photocatalytic decolorization of methylene blue by an immobilized TiO2 film under visible light irradiation: optimization using response surface methodology (RSM)

In this study, response surface methodology, based on face-centered composite design was used to investigate the effect of operational parameters on the decolorization of methylene blue (MB) using an immobilized film of TiO2 onto glass plate under a 55-W household fluorescent lamp irradiation. Three operating variables, namely TiO2 loading (0.65–3.9 mg/cm2), pH (2–10), and irradiation time (15–90 min) with a total of 20 individual experiments conducted to optimize the combination effects of the variable. The significance of the model and regression coefficients was tested by the analysis of variance. Analysis of the data obtained showed there was a strong significant influence of the operational factors and their interactions on MB color removal (p < 0.0001) of the photocatalytic decolorization process. The results predicted by the models were found to be in good agreement with those obtained by performing experiment (R2 = 0.9706 and Adj-R2= 0.9442). For MB color removal, the photocatalytic decolorization process was significantly influenced by the pH and irradiation time, whereas the TiO2 loading shows less effect. The optimum TiO2 loading, pH, and irradiation time were found to be 3.06 mg/cm2 (thickness = 42.43 ± 1.15 μm), 8.25 and 89.76 min, respectively. Under optimum conditions, high photocatalytic efficiency for MB color removal, 98.01% was observed. The kinetics of MB decolorization at optimum conditions was well fitted to the pesudo-first-order kinetic model.

The influence of blanching, anti-browning agent and processing time on some physico-chemical properties and appearance of green peppers (Capsicum sinensis) during canning

Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) was used to generate twenty combinations of these factors: blanching time, processing time and sodium metabisulphite concentration. The optimized conditions were then adapted for the canning process of green pepper. Blanching time ranged from 0-1 min whereas processing time and sodium metabisulphite concentration ranged from 10-30 min and 0-0.2%, respectively. The canned products were analyzed for physico-chemical qualities using standard analytical methods. Results obtained from various physicochemical analyses showed variable trends and influences of the linear, quadratic and exponential interactions on the measured quality indices such as pH of the drained liquid, drained weight of the canned product, leached solids and colour of the canned products. The results showed significant (p≤0.05) quadratic effect of sodium metabisulphite as well as linear effect of blanching time on the drained weight of the canned green pepper. Generally, the pH of the medium decreased (increased acidity) with increasing processing time, which was also positively associated with the extent or amount of leaching. Additionally, all three factors were observed to have affected (to variable extent) the colour of the canned products. Blanching and processing times also affected the degree of browning. There was a strong significant (p≤0.05) influence of the quadratic factors of blanching time, processing time and sodium metabisulphite concentration on the colour properties (a-values, b-values and Lvalues) of the canned products. Statistical analysis showed significant (p≤0.05) linear effects of blanching time and sodium salt concentration as well as the combined effect of both factors on all the colour properties. All the studied parameters had significant regression coefficients (p≤0.05) suggesting the studied parameters contributed significantly to the observed changes. Colour of the canned products changed from green toward redness with increasing blanching time at all concentrations of sodium metabisulphite. Optimal processing combination of 0 min blanching time, 10 min processing time and sodium metabisulphite concentration of 0.2% produced a highly acceptable canned pepper product with preferred physico-chemical and appearance properties.

A Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity Model of the Impact of Macroeconomic Factors on Stock Returns: Empirical Evidence from the Nigerian Stock Market

The study examines the impact of domestic macroeconomic variables on the Nigeria’s stock market returns, using Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model and annual data (1985-2009). We investigate the ability of these variables to predict the level of the stock market returns, using GARCH-M model. The results reveal that, out of the six macroeconomic variables employed, inflation, government expenditure, index of manufacturing output and, interest rate, exert strong significant influence on stock returns. Inflation and government expenditure have a positive significant impact, while index of manufacturing output and, interest rate have a negative significant impact. On the other hand, money supply and foreign exchange rate exert no significant influence on stock returns in Nigeria. The study observed that, there is volatility clustering in Nigerian stock market. Volatility of Nigeria’s stock market returns was influenced by past volatility more than the economic news from the previous period. The time-varying volatility of the Nigeria’s stock market returns is moderately persistent. In other words, a shock to the Nigeria’s stock market volatility will last moderately long. Financial regulators, policy makers and investors need to take these macroeconomic variables into account when formulating economic and financial policies and, structuring of portfolio and diversification.

Nanohardness of Individual Phases in WC – Co Cemented Carbides

The nanohardness of WC – Co hardmetals has been investigated using instrumented indentation and Berkovich tip indenter. The nanohardness, HIT, and indentation modulus, EIT, of Co phase and individual WC grains and the influence of their crystalographic orientation have been studied. SEM, AFM and EBSD methods were used for the characterization of the microstructures and indents and for the identification of crystallographic orientation of WC grains, respectively. Strong indentation load-size effect and significant influence of the crystallographic orientation of WC crystals on HIT and EIT have been found. The nanohardness of Co binder was approximately 10 GPa and that of WC grains varied between 25 and 50 GPa, depending on the grain orientation and load. The nanohardness values of the basal and prismatic planes of individual WC grains at load of 10 mN were 40.4 ± 1.6 GPa and 32.8 ± 2.0 GPa, respectively.

Effects of Container Types and Soil Organic Matter Proportions on the Culture of a Tropical Earthworm (Libyodrilus violaceus Beddard, 1891)

Earthworms are becoming increasingly useful in solving human and environmental problems. In addition to biomonitoring and soil fertility renewing roles, they are now used as livestock feed, therapeutic agents and soil contaminants remover. It is therefore imperative to encourage more earthworm culture research. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which container types and soil amendments affect the breeding of Libyodrilus violaceus Beddard, 1891 in the laboratory. The earthworm species was cultured in loamy sandy soil amended with different proportions of cow dung inside earthenware, plastic and wooden pots for a period of twelve weeks in the laboratory. The data generated were subjected to multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) using the general linear model (GLM) multivariate tests. These tests indicated that both pot and soil types had significant influence on L. violaceus culture. The effects of pot type was more significant (Lambda = 0.114, p < 0.001) compared to soil type (Lambda = 0.302, p < 0.001). Follow-up univariate analysis of variance indicated that pot type had more significant influence on final earthworm number (F = 68.74, p < 0.001) than the final weight (F = 7.14, p < 0.005). While soil type had a strong significant influence on the final number of earthworms (F = 12.24, p < 0.001), its influence on the final weight was not significant (F = 2.20, p > 0.05). Wooden pot had the highest mean final earthworm number (76.50 ± 20.27), followed by earthenware pot (61.75 ± 16.43). Loamy soil amended with 25% cow dung had the highest mean final earthworm number in the three types of pot, 82.67 ± 11.93, 32.00 ± 7.00, and 94.00 ± 11.53 for earthenware, plastic and wooden pots respectively. These findings imply that if L. violaceus must be cultured ex situ, wooden pot should be preferred above earthenware and plastic, while loamy soil amended with 25% cow dung should be preferred over other soil amendments.

Production of the lactic acid from mango peel waste – Factorial experiment

The production of lactic acid from mango peels using the bio-fermentation method was investigated. The possible relationship between the operational factors, namely process temperature (15 and 35 °C), initial medium pH (4 and 10) and duration of fermentation (3 and 6 days) on lactic acid production as the response was determined using the factorial design. Analysis of the data obtained showed there was a strong significant influence of the operational factors and their interactions on lactic acid production (P < 0.0001) of fermenting microorganisms. The regression model for lactic acid production fitted the data adequately and explained more than 99% of the variation in the response. The results also showed that the maximum production of lactic acid can be achieved at initial medium pH of 10; incubation time of 6 days; and at a temperature of 35 °C. The maximum production of lactic acid was 17.484 g/L. This study highlights the potential of mango peels as a low cost and economically viable fermentation substrate for the production of lactic acid.

Your Future Starts Today, Not Tomorrow: An Explanatory Study of Financial Literacy and Debt-Related Behavior Among Students in the Netherlands

This research analyzed the influence of financial literacy on debt-related behavior (decision making and understanding of the characteristics of debt) among university students in the Netherlands. First, this study looked at the level of financial literacy of Dutch students. A survey was conducted among a sample (N=309) of Dutch university students in the southern part of the Netherlands. On average the students had a sufficient level of financial literacy. The mean score on the financial literacy test was approximately 70% correct. In addition, compared with students in countries like the United States, Malaysia and the United Kingdom the Dutch students in the sample appear to possess a relatively high level of financial literacy. Second, various socio-economic factors that could determine one's level of financial literacy have been analyzed here. Factors like gender, major, class-rank, ethnicity and the parental income contribution (i.e. mother is breadwinner of family) appear to be significant determinants of a student's level of financial literacy. At last, this thesis looked at the relationship between a student’s level of financial literacy and his debt-related behavior. By controlling for omitted variables the influence of financial literacy was analyzed. Interesting findings have been derived from the statistical data analysis, although the nature of this evidence is at the same time quite mixed. For the relationship between the amount of study debt and the student's knowledge about the interest rate on study debt statistical significant effects were found. The lower someone’s level of financial literacy is the more likely it is that he has a lower level of study debt and a higher level of knowledge about this debt. For behavior related to credit cards and overdrawing on debit accounts no strong significant influence of financial literacy has been found in logistic regression analyses. There is also a small significant influence found for the influence of financial literacy on installments. Finally it can be concluded that based on the findings in this study it is difficult to derive a clear influence of Financial Literacy on debt-related behavior.

Sources of Funding and Academic Performance in Economics Principles Courses

The authors examine two factors that may affect student achievement in economics principles courses: working for pay and the primary source of funds (employer tuition reimbursement, loans, scholarships, financial aid, self-financing, parental transfers, other) used to pay for college for a sample of students in economics principles classes at a regional, nonresidential public university. After controlling for endogeneity, working for pay has no statistical effect on course performance, but the sources of education funding have differential effects on the course grade, with employer funding having a strong positive and significant influence. Students receiving employer tuition reimbursement score approximately 14 percentage points higher in the course than students funded through parental transfers.

Analisis Pengaruh Ability, Effort Dan Support Terhadap Kinerja Karyawan Toko Buku Gramedia Cabang Plaza Semanggi

The purpose of the article is to analyze the influence of ability, effort and support towards employee performance in Plaza Semanggi branch of Gramedia bookstore. Method used in this research is the correlation of Pearson’s product-moment and double regression. The gathered data from questionnaire result provided uses likert scale and primary data from the company. The research result is to identify employees’ ability, effort, and support of organization having strong relationship and significant influence towards employees’ performance in Plaza Semanggi branch’s Gramedia bookstore. Hopefully, the organization’s ability, effort and support could be increased and became main factor in increasing employees’ performance. Besides, it is expected that the research result could give input for the company, especially in Plaza Semanggi branch, to increase the employee’s performance, which later will give positive impact for company development.

Analysis of the technology acceptance model in examining students' behavioural intention to use an e-portfolio system

&lt;span&gt;In recent years, instructors have had an increasing interest in integrating Internet based technologies into their classroom as part of the learning environment. Compared to studies on other information systems, student users' behaviour towards e-portfolios have not been assessed and thoroughly understood. This paper analyses the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in order to examine students' behavioural intention to use an electronic portfolio system, meaning how students use and appropriate it within the specific framework of a course. An E-Portfolio Usage Questionnaire was developed using existing scales from prior TAM instruments and modified where appropriate. Seventy-two participants completed the survey questionnaire measuring their responses to perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), attitudes towards usage (ATU) and behavioural intention to use (BIU) the e-portfolio system. The results of the study indicated that students' perceived ease of use (PEOU) had a significant influence on attitude towards usage (ATU). Subsequently, perceived ease of use (PEOU) had the strongest significant influence on perceived usefulness (PU). The research further demonstrated that individual characteristics and technological factors may have a significant influence on instructors to adopt e-portfolio into their courses. Results suggest that TAM is a solid theoretical model where its validity can extend to an e-portfolio context.&lt;/span&gt;

R&amp;D Expenditure and Firm Valuation: Evidence from Europe

We investigate the relationship between research and development expenditures and the market value of European listed companies that continuously implemented R&D over the 2001-2007 period. According to the theory of efficient financial markets, investors should correctly value tangible and intangible firm assets and these valuations should therefore be reflected in the market value of any company. This relation is of particular importance to researchers and has been studied using different approaches since the 80’s. Unfortunately, the contributions are strongly focused on US and UK firms due to the relevance and liquidity of the financial markets of these countries. There are few comparative studies for Continental European countries such as Germany, France, Italy or Sweden, as a result of the opacity of information, the less developed financial markets and the limited number of listed firms. The study, using two econometric specifications, examines different characteristics of companies such as operative income, market share, debt to equity ratio, firm size and sales. To control for the way firms account their R&D expenditure, the IAS accounting standard variable is used, namely, the total expensing of these costs in the year they were incurred instead of capitalizing them. We also control for specific country and industry effects.The results confirm the strong positive and significant influence of R&D expenditure on firm market value. We find the same effect when considering residual income. Nevertheless, the relevance of this effect differs among different countries. In addition, the evidence shows that younger and smaller firms that operate in hi-tech markets are able to spend more efficiently in research and development: the effect of R&D investment on firm market value in these types of companies is stronger compared to older and low-tech industry sectors. The robustness check, which considers different definitions of the dependent variable, reinforces the evidence that R&D expenditure has a significant and positive impact on the stock prices of European companies.

Influence of intermediate deformation rates in softwoods characterized with fracture resistance R-curves

Fracture resistance curves of Norway spruce were evaluated over a range of crosshead speeds between 0.05 and 200 mm/min using compact tension specimens. The fracture resistance curves were determined via J-integral K R versus Δa (crack extension) using hybrid experimental–finite element method with stepwise quasi-static and transient dynamic analysis. Coupling experiments and high-speed camera with a rate of 0.5–135 frames/s capture enabled determination of crack kinetics and velocities. Digital image correlation method was employed to evaluate strain distribution maps of the fracture process zone. Deformation measurements suggested strong strain localization and significant influence of the loading rate. The most distinct strain map was evaluated for the loading rate of 200 mm/min, suggesting inertial effects. Rising fracture resistance develops for smaller crack lengths (0.15–0.20 a/w) for all loading rates, with an increase of up to 20–50% compared to initiation values. Fracture resistance R-curves were evaluated for single individual specimens as well as for averaged load–deformation responses, which hide strong localisations in single responses. Influence of deformation rate on the shape and magnitude of fracture resistance curves is significant. Inertial effects in transient dynamic response give rise to twofold higher fracture resistance of softwoods compared to quasi-static resistance.

Board Structure and Corporate Performance: Evidence from Public-Listed Family-Ownership in Malaysia

We compare corporate governance and performance between family and non-family ownership of public listed companies in Malaysia from 1999 through 2005 measured by Tobin's Q, ROA and ROE. We find that on average, family ownership experiences a higher value than non-family ownership based on ROE. However, firm value is lower in family than non-family ownership based on Tobin's Q and ROA. In the analysis, the board size, independent director and duality for family and non-family ownership has a strong significant influence on firm performance.

Swiss residents' speciality choices – impact of gender, personality traits, career motivation and life goals

BackgroundThe medical specialities chosen by doctors for their careers play an important part in the development of health-care services. This study aimed to investigate the influence of gender, personality traits, career motivation and life goal aspirations on the choice of medical speciality.MethodsAs part of a prospective cohort study of Swiss medical school graduates on career development, 522 fourth-year residents were asked in what speciality they wanted to qualify. They also assessed their career motivation and life goal aspirations. Data concerning personality traits such as sense of coherence, self-esteem, and gender role orientation were collected at the first assessment, four years earlier, in their final year of medical school. Data analyses were conducted by univariate and multivariate analyses of variance and covariance.ResultsIn their fourth year of residency 439 (84.1%) participants had made their speciality choice. Of these, 45 (8.6%) subjects aspired to primary care, 126 (24.1%) to internal medicine, 68 (13.0%) to surgical specialities, 31 (5.9%) to gynaecology & obstetrics (G&O), 40 (7.7%) to anaesthesiology/intensive care, 44 (8.4%) to paediatrics, 25 (4.8%) to psychiatry and 60 (11.5%) to other specialities. Female residents tended to choose G&O, paediatrics, and anaesthesiology, males more often surgical specialities; the other specialities did not show gender-relevant differences of frequency distribution. Gender had the strongest significant influence on speciality choice, followed by career motivation, personality traits, and life goals. Multivariate analyses of covariance indicated that career motivation and life goals mediated the influence of personality on career choice. Personality traits were no longer significant after controlling for career motivation and life goals as covariates. The effect of gender remained significant after controlling for personality traits, career motivation and life goals.ConclusionGender had the greatest impact on speciality and career choice, but there were also two other relevant influencing factors, namely career motivation and life goals. Senior physicians mentoring junior physicians should pay special attention to these aspects. Motivational guidance throughout medical training should not only focus on the professional career but also consider the personal life goals of those being mentored.