The role of extracurricular activities in shaping university students' employment self-efficacy perceptions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Kanar ◽  
Dave Bouckenooghe
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Job Search ◽  
Information Search ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Search Strategies ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe present study aimed to understand how participation in university extracurricular activities has a beneficial or detrimental impact on students’ employment self-efficacy through the intervening mechanism of information search strategy.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected data from active job-searching university students across two time-points and hypothesized that the breadth of extracurricular activity participation would positively impact employment self-efficacy perceptions and information search strategies (focused, exploratory and haphazard) would mediate this relationship.FindingsResults indicate that the breadth of students' participation in extracurricular activities was positively associated with employment self-efficacy perceptions, and this relationship was mediated by focused and exploratory information-search strategies. Extracurricular activities exhibited a negative relationship with a haphazard search strategy.Research limitations/implicationsThis research extends the understanding of the role of participation in extracurricular activities for influencing a job search. Future research may replicate these findings with different samples of job seekers.Practical implicationsExtracurricular activities are typically offered at universities as a way for students to develop skills and to improve employers' perceptions of students. The present results suggest that participating in extracurricular activities may also help university students to effectively conduct a self-directed job search.Originality/valueWe examined the role of extracurricular activities from the applicant's perspective, extending prior research examining extracurricular activities from the employer's perspective. The present results suggest that extracurricular activities play an important role in shaping the job search process of university students by influencing students' confidence for finding employment. Information search strategies mediated the effects of extracurricular activities on employment self-efficacy perceptions, suggesting that participating in extracurricular activities changed the way that applicants searched for jobs.

The toll of perceived injustice on job search self-efficacy and behavior

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Taggar ◽  
Lisa K. J. Kuron
Keyword(s):  
Job Search ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Search Behavior ◽  
Search Strategies ◽  
Perceived Injustice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Job Search Behavior

Purpose – Individuals normally make fairness judgements when experiencing negative outcomes on an important task, such as finding employment. Fairness is an affect-laden subjective experience. Perceptions of injustice can cause resource depletion in unemployed job seekers, potentially leading to reduced self-regulation. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of: first, justice perceptions during a job search and their impact on job search self-efficacy (JSSE); second, the mediating role of JSSE between justice perceptions and job search strategies; and third, associations between job search strategies and quantity and quality of job search behavior. Design/methodology/approach – Unemployed individuals (n=254) who were actively searching for a job reported on their past job search experiences with respect to justice, completed measures of JSSE, and reported recent job search behavior. Findings – Results reveal the potentially harmful impact of perceived injustice on job search strategies and the mediating role of JSSE, a self-regulatory construct and an important resource when looking for a job. Specifically, perceived injustice is negatively associated with JSSE. Reduced JSSE is associated with a haphazard job search strategy and less likelihood of exploratory and focussed strategies. A haphazard job search strategy is associated with making fewer job applications and poor decision making. Conversely, perceived justice is associated with higher JSSE and exploratory and focussed job search strategies. These two strategies are generally associated with higher quality job search behavior. Research limitations/implications – There are two major limitations. First, while grounded in social-cognitive theory of self-regulation and conservation of resources (COR) theory, a cross-sectional research design limits determination of causality in the model of JSSE as a central social-cognitive mechanism explaining how justice impacts job search strategies. Second, some results may be conservative because social desirability may have restricted the range of negative responses. Practical implications – This study provides insights to individuals who are supporting job seekers (e.g. career counselors, coaches, employers, and social networks). Specifically, interventions aimed at reducing perceptions of injustice, increasing JSSE, and improving job search strategies and behavior may ameliorate the damaging impact of perceived injustice. Originality/value – This study is the first to examine perceived justice in the job search process using social-cognitive theory of self-regulation and COR theory. Moreover, we provide further validation to a relatively new and under-researched job search strategy typology by linking the strategies to the quantity and quality of job search behaviors.

Entrepreneurial intention of Indian university students: the role of opportunity recognition and entrepreneurship education

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 843-861
Author(s):  
Aamir Hassan ◽  
Imran Saleem ◽  
Imran Anwar ◽  
Syed Abid Hussain
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intention ◽  
Opportunity Recognition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Business And Management ◽  
Moderating Role

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial self-efficacy on the entrepreneurial intention of Indian university students. This paper also examines the moderating role of entrepreneurship education and gender on the opportunity recognition–intention and self-efficacy–intention relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected through a comprehensive questionnaire from 334 students having business and management background. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to ensure the reliability and validity of all the constructs, and structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThis study unveils three important findings. First, opportunity recognition and self-efficacy both show a significant positive impact on the entrepreneurial intention of students. Second, education positively moderates “self-efficacy–intention relationship”, and third, gender negatively moderates “opportunity recognition–intention” and “self-efficacy–intention” relationships.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has been carried out using a sample of students from only one university, and the study included only business and management background students. Similar studies can be conducted by adding more motivational and contextual factors with an increased sample size of students having different educational backgrounds.Practical implicationsThis study provides pragmatic support to formulate new educational initiatives that can support students in their present or future entrepreneurial projects.Originality/valueThis study adds to the scarce literature on opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial intention and also highlights the moderating role of entrepreneurship education and gender on opportunity recognition–intention and entrepreneurial self-efficacy–intention relationships.

Are job seekers predisposed to job search strategies?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zia Ul Islam ◽  
Qingxiong (Derek) Weng ◽  
Zulqurnain Ali ◽  
Usman Ghani ◽  
Ataullah Kiani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Job Search ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Search Strategies ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Job Offers

PurposeThis study examines the associations among specific personality traits, job search strategies (JSSs) and job search outcomes.Design/methodology/approachTime-lagged data (three-waves) were collected from 528 Chinese graduating students. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe results revealed a positive association between conscientiousness and both a focused job search strategy (FJSS) and an exploratory job search strategy (EJSS). Neuroticism was positively related to a haphazard job search strategy (HJSS), but negatively associated with both a FJSS and an EJSS. Moreover, FJSS and EJSS were positively related to both the number of job offers (NJOs) and the number of satisfied job offers (NSJOs). However, compared with FJSS, EJSS explained more variance in NJOs but less in NSJOs. Additional analysis showed a significant positive association between conscientiousness and job search intensity (JSI), but no significant relationship between neuroticism and JSI. JSI had significant associations with both NJOs and NSJOs. Further, FJSS and EJSS mediated the association between focal personality traits and both NJOs and NSJOs. Additionally, JSI also mediated the association between conscientiousness and both NJOs and NSJOs.Originality/valuePrevious research has confirmed that JSSs (Stevens and Turban, 2001) are consequential for important job search outcomes. However, whether fresh job seekers are predisposed to the use of JSSs is yet to be explored. This study adds to the job search literature by filling this void.

Freelance job search during times of uncertainty: protean career orientation, career competencies and job search

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Ayoobzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Job Search ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Search Strategies ◽  
Career Orientation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transferable Skills ◽  
Protean Career ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Career Competencies

PurposeFreelancers are a growing population of working adults with limited to no organizational support. Yet, their strategies to navigate job search, especially in turbulent times, are unknown. To address this gap, the author hypothesized and examined a sequential mediation model whereby freelancer protean career orientation (PCO) influences job search strategies through career competencies (i.e. knowing why, how and with whom to work) and job search self-efficacy (JSSE).Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a sample of 87 Canadian freelancers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsThe results supported the sequential mediation from PCO to job search strategies through two of the career competencies (knowing why and how) and JSSE. The mediating role of knowing whom was not supported.Practical implicationsPolicy makers and learning institutions can provide freelancers with opportunities to develop transferable skills through massive open online courses (MOOCs). Employers of freelancers can design motivating jobs that provide freelancers with on-the-job learning and development opportunities.Social implicationsThe insignificant mediating role of knowing whom (i.e. professional networks) implies that large networks might not be necessarily beneficial in times of crisis. Thus, the role of networks might be more complex than the literature has proposed.Originality/valueThis study brings into focus an overlooked population of workers: freelancers. It investigates a sequential mediation through which freelancer PCO impacts job search strategies. In addition, it compares the effectiveness of career competencies in unfolding the proposed sequential mediation.

Antecedents of perceived overqualification: a three-wave study

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 409-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Guerrero ◽  
John-Paul Hatala
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Planned Behavior ◽  
Planned Behavior ◽  
Job Search ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Search Intensity ◽  
Perceived Overqualification ◽  
Financial Need ◽  
Job Search Intensity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of job search on perceived overqualification by applying the theory of planned behavior and including financial need and openness to experience as moderators. Design/methodology/approach – Three questionnaires were given at weeks 1, 8 and 12 to 436 practice firm participants. A total of 119 completed all three questionnaires. The authors used partial least squares to analyze the data. Findings – Job search self-efficacy was positively related to job search intentions and to outcome expectations. Job search intentions were positively related to job search intensity. Financial need acted as a moderator of the relationship between job search intensity and perceived overqualification such that for those with high-financial need higher levels of job search intensity resulted in higher perceived overqualification. Research limitations/implications – The authors found little support for the theory of planned behavior in the model. The authors found strong support for the role of job search self-efficacy and job search intentions. The use of a three-wave design resulted in a relatively low sample size and the use of the practice firm reduces the generalizability of the findings. Practical implications – The results suggest that increasing job search self-efficacy and job search intentions while managing the anticipations of job seekers is likely to yield better job search outcomes. Originality/value – This study investigates the role of job search on perceived overqualification. Findings suggest that malleable attitudes during job search such as job search self-efficacy, job search intentions, and anticipations are likely to impact perceived overqualification.

scholarly journals Experiences of Cyber Harassment and Social Adjustment in Female University Students: Moderating Role of Self-Efficacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 523-544
Author(s):  
Sumaira Ayub ◽  
Farah Malik
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Identity Information ◽  
Cyber Harassment ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Moderating Role

The present study investigated the moderating role of self-efficacy in relationship between experiences of cyber harassment experiences and social adjustment in female university students. A purposive sample of 365 female students of universities in Lahore with age ranging from 17-30 years (M = 20.93, SD = 2.39) was taken. Urdu versions of Cyber Harassment Experience Scale (Ayub & Malik, 2017), Generalized Self-efficacy Scale (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995), Bell’s Social Adjustment Scale (Bell, 1934), and Coping with Cyber Harassment Questionnaire-modified (Ayub & Malik, 2017) were used. The results showed that overall experience of cyber harassment was not related with social adjustment; however, one of its subscales unauthorized use of identity information showed negative relationship with social adjustment. Further, the results showed negative relationship between overall experiences of cyber harassment and self-efficacy, while a positive relationship was found between self-efficacy and social adjustment. The results of moderation through hierarchical regression indicated nonsignificant interaction between self-efficacy and unauthorized use of identity information subscale of experiences of cyber harassment. Further, internal coping and reporting response (external coping) positively and no. of social media friends negatively predicted social adjustment in female university students.

The mediating role of burnout on the relationship of emotional intelligence and self-efficacy with OCB and performance

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Cohen ◽  
Mohamed Abedallah
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Organizational Citizenship Behavior ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Citizenship Behavior ◽  
Role Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – This study aims to examined the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI), self-efficacy and two outcome variables: in-role performance and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). The study also examined whether burnout mediates this relationship. The target population included Arab teachers in Israel. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was performed. Usable questionnaires were returned by 221 teachers; therefore, the response rate was 88 per cent. Findings – Hierarchical linear models and mediation analyses showed that EI and self-efficacy are related to OCB, and in-role performance and burnout have a strong and negative relationship with the outcome variables. Mediation analysis using Preacher and Hayes’s (2004, 2008) approach showed that burnout mediates the relationship of EI and self-efficacy with the three outcome variables. Practical implications – The findings emphasize the role of the two personal variables examined here as important determinants of job performance and OCB, and demonstrate the importance of burnout in understanding OCB. Originality/value – This study will contribute to the literature on OCB and work performance by examining the rarely researched relationships between EI and self-efficacy, on the one hand, and between OCB and in-role performance, on the other. Further, this study will argue that burnout mediates the relationship between these personal and outcome variables.

University entrepreneurship: how to trigger entrepreneurial intent of undergraduate students

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 927-950
Author(s):  
Paola Isabel Rodríguez Gutiérrez ◽  
María del Pilar Pastor Pérez ◽  
Patricia Esther Alonso Galicia
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Predictor Variable ◽  
Outcome Expectations ◽  
Integrative Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intent

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the elements and relationships that explain the entrepreneurial intent in university students, evaluating possible gender and degree differences. Design/methodology/approach The study is of quantitative approach, survey research design and cross-sectional method. The instrument used was a self-administered questionnaire answered by undergraduate university students enrolled in a public university. The sampling was stratified random, with a representative sample size of 734 cases. For data analysis and hypothesis testing, a confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation model were made. Findings The results show that the entrepreneurial self-efficacy attribute largely explains the entrepreneurial intent, while all other variables, such as entrepreneurial identity aspirations and outcome expectations, play a less important role but maintain some influence. Research limitations/implications According to the findings of this research, institutions of higher education should direct efforts to improve the entrepreneurial skills of students, especially for women. And the creation of an institutional entrepreneurial culture should also be emphasized so that the university students are able to build an entrepreneurial identity. Originality/value The value of the research is the proposed integrative model that explains how to trigger entrepreneurial intent, shows the prominent role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy as a predictor variable of entrepreneurial intent and the role of entrepreneur identity aspirations and entrepreneurial self-efficacy as mediating variables. Additionally, this research identifies differences in the model of entrepreneurial intent derived from the variables of gender and degrees.

Fostering sustainable businesses: understanding sustainability-driven entrepreneurial intention among university students in Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Idrees Waris ◽  
Waseem Barkat ◽  
Adeel Ahmed ◽  
Irfan Hameed
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intention ◽  
Sustainable Entrepreneurship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Youth Population

Purpose The purpose of this research paper is to predict sustainability-driven entrepreneurship intention among university students in the developing market (Pakistan). Design/methodology/approach The target population of this study was university students in Pakistan. According to UNDP (2017) report, Pakistan has the largest youth population. More than 64% of the total population (210 million) is below 30 years of age. If trained properly, this huge chunk of the population could become a source of intellectual capital for the development of the nation. The quota based on age sampling technique was used to collect the data from university students in Karachi because more than 64% of the Pakistan population is below 30 years of age. Findings The findings reveal that university entrepreneurial support has a strong influence on attitude toward sustainable entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Research limitations/implications The role of university entrepreneurial support, environmental concern and students’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy are vital factors in sustainability-driven entrepreneurship. This study enriches the literature of green entrepreneurship helping to understand university students’ intention for sustainable entrepreneurship. The outcome of this study would help strategists and environmental academicians to guide university students regarding the launch of sustainable ventures. Originality/value To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to explore the effects of environmental concern on entrepreneurial intention among university students in the context of a developing country – Pakistan.

Evaluating a job search strategy model of fit perceptions: a construct validation amongst unemployed job seekers

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Affum-Osei ◽  
Henry Kofi Mensah ◽  
Eric Adom Asante ◽  
Solomon Kwarteng Forkuoh
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Job Search ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Search Strategies ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Three Factor

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the (1) psychometric properties of Crossley and Highhouse's job search strategy scale and (2) the predictive utility of the scale on fit perceptions.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from unemployed job seekers in Ghana (nT1 = 720; nT2 = 418). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to examine the data.FindingsExploratory factor analysis on the first random sub-sample (n = 362) supported a three-factor model. Confirmatory factor analysis on the second random sub-sample (n = 358) confirmed the three-factor structure and was invariant across job search contexts and genders. Moreover, structural path results showed that the use of focussed and exploratory job search strategies facilitated positive fit perceptions and the use of haphazard job search resulted in poor job fit perceptions.Originality/valueThis study is the first to examine the dimensionality of job search strategies based on different job search context by linking it to fit perceptions. Moreover, the authors provide evidence that the job search strategy scale has a valid psychometric property and a promising instrument to assess job search behaviour across job search contexts and genders in an understudied population.

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