Research on Unrealistic Optimism among HoReCa Workers as a Possible Future Hotspot of Infections

As we are facing a new surge of the highly infectious delta variant of COVID-19, there is an urgent need for research to reduce the harm before this next wave hits. In the present paper, we present data that is alarming. We have found that HoReCa (hotels, restaurants, and catering services) workers, who are highly exposed to many new social interactions in close contact, present an unrealistic optimism (UO) bias: they perceive themselves as less at risk to this virus in comparison to others. From the literature, we already know that individuals holding this view are less involved in preventive actions and present more risky behaviors. In the face of the delta variant, this leads to the conclusion that restaurants will be new hot spots. What is more, we found that these unrealistic expectations are more pervasive: workers of the restaurant industry estimate low chances of bankruptcy, which may lead to unrealistic salary expectations, leading owners to a new upcoming wave of crisis: COVID-19 and bankruptcy—both of which may be caused by their workers.

The Work Values of Portuguese Generation Z in the Higher Education-to-Work Transition Phase

The cohort of young people born with or after the Internet has been dubbed Generation Z (Gen Z, or post-millennials). They are now entering the higher education-to-work transition phase, although this is yet to be studied. Previous studies have found that work values and work preferences vary across generations and national cultures, justifying regular and localised examination. However, very little is known to date about the work values of Portuguese Gen Zs. In this study, we describe the work values of Portuguese university students in the higher education-to-work transition phase and examine their influence on salient work-related preferences. We surveyed over 3000 students attending university degrees from eight main Portuguese universities. We find that Portuguese Gen Zs value social values above all, followed by intrinsic and then extrinsic work values, potentially configuring a unique profile. Work values partially explain work preferences such as employer size and salary expectations. Gender differences mark our results, with women expressing higher work values in all three dimensions and lower entry salary expectations. These results can be useful for employers seeking to attract the best university graduates, facilitate their integration and promote their development.

Are business schools at small liberal arts universities cost prohibitive or cost savvy?

PurposeFinancial struggles affecting universities across the United States have caused debate about whether business schools are cost prohibitive or cost savvy, especially for small liberal arts universities that lack large endowments and are highly dependent upon student enrolment. In other words, are they too expensive for small schools to operate? The presence of a business school necessitates hiring business faculty with comparatively high salary expectations.Design/methodology/approachThis paper analyses the cost effectiveness of business schools at four small liberal arts universities.FindingsOur results show that cost is most strongly correlated with class size and adjunct instruction as opposed to faculty salaries.Research limitations/implicationsThus, class size and the implementation of adjunct instruction can make having a business school not only affordable but also advantageous.Practical implicationsBusiness schools offer a way for universities with missions centred around developing the whole person through a liberal arts education to remain a going concern in such a volatile climate.Originality/valueThis paper uses proprietary data to analyse the cost of faculty in different disciplines.

Analysis on the influence factors of college students about the willingness to work in rural e-commerce

In recent years, rural e-commerce has been actively improving, but the contradiction between talent demand and supply has become increasingly prominent. This article combines the four dimensions of personal characteristics, professional attitude, family background and external environment to conduct empirical research on willingness to engage in rural e-commerce among e-commerce major students. The results show that the willingness to engage in rural e-commerce is generally low, which influences internship experience, academic planning, salary expectations, career perception, family attitudes, school guidance and public opinion.

Gender and Age as Determinants of Expected Rate of Return on Human Capital

Purpose: The aim of the article is to examine the selected determinants of the expected rate of return on human capital. Methodology: We conducted an anonymous survey of expected salaries among the Accounting and Controlling students at the Cracow University of Economics, which provided a unique setting for the analysis. On the basis of collected data for the cost of living and the cost of professional education for every participant, we used the human capital model developed by Dobija to compute the perceived level of the human capital of each individual. Then, we compared the expected salaries with the perceived levels of human capital and computed expected rates of return on human capital. The following research methods are used: literature review, statistical tests, econometric modeling. Findings: On the sample of 754 respondents, we found that male students expect a higher rate of return on their human capital than female students, while older students expect a lower rate of return on human capital than younger students. Research limitations: Only one field of study was used to measure the determinants of the expected rate of return on human capital. Originality: We contribute to the salary expectations and human capital literature by identifying a significant gender salary expectations gap that holds even after considering individually assessed costs of living and professional education. Our findings are consistent with the well-known observation that women tend to expect lower salaries than men.

Expatriates' salary expectations, age, experience and country image

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain how candidates' expectations of salary in relation to job offers as expatriates in developing societies are related to country image and to age.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from over 500 engineers living in France, Portugal and Spain, evaluating two hypothetical expatriate proposals to six different African and Latin American countries. Multivariate hierarchical regression was applied to statistically detect significant predictors, with a broad range of control variables, to investigate expatriate salary expectations.FindingsResults evidence the role of age, seniority, previous international experience and culture attraction for the host country in influencing salary expectations for potential expatriate postings. These results are discussed at the light of selection, optimisation and compensation theory (SOC), conservation of resources theory (COR) and social identity theory.Practical implicationsFindings call for multinational companies to consider age, individual background, career attributes and location concerns when evaluating salary expectations involved in expatriation to developing countries.Originality/valueThe study shows how individual expectations about required salaries for accepting expatriate job offers in developing countries (hardly addressed in the extant literature) result from the potential for professional development opportunities and the responsibility of the jobs being offered, the country image, and the age and motivation of the individuals. Furthermore, it integrates research through use of SOC and COR theories.

Determinants of Salary Expectations – A Survey of Accounting and Controlling Students

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of the paper is to identify and quantify selected salary expectations determinants (including gender) of Accounting and Controlling students at Cracow University of Economics. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: We conduct a survey of expected salaries among students . We use Shapiro-Wilk W test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test for initial analysis. We then build econometric linear models in which salary expectations are dependent variables, whereas GPA, holding a foreign language certificate, gender and age are independent variables. We estimate these models by OLS. We use Huber/White robust standard errors to assess statistical significance of each parameter. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: Graduates of accounting pro­grammes are sought at the labour market. For cognitive purposes and edu­cational policy implications it is of utmost importance to understand which observable factors differentiate students in their salaries’ expectations. RESEARCH RESULTS: We find a number of variables that are statistically significant and associated with the expected salary. Higher salaries for graduates of Accounting and Controlling major are expected by: students with lower GPA, holders of a foreign language certificate, male students, younger students. On the contrary, lower salaries are expected by students with higher GPA, students who do not hold a foreign language certificate, female students, older students. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Students differ among themselves – thus we observe various salary expectations. Nonetheless, some of the obtained results are puzzling. We find that female stu­dents demand lower salaries. Similarly it is surprising that students with lower GPA expect higher salaries. As a result, we recommend to further investigate determinants of salary expectations.