Effects of work value orientation and academic major satisfaction on career decision-making self-efficacy

Abstract

Purpose An increasing number of students delay graduation or graduate without a job, because they are not ready to make a career decision. In addition, the growing number of young adults who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) has become a social concern in South Korea. To facilitate career decision-making of undergraduates, this study examined the effects of work value orientation and academic major orientation on career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE). The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships among South Korean undergraduates’ intrinsic work value orientation, extrinsic work value orientation, academic major satisfaction and CDMSE. Design/methodology/approach Based on the literature review, this study tested a research model using structural equation modeling with survey results of 217 undergraduates. Findings The research results indicated that intrinsic work value orientation influenced academic major satisfaction and CDMSE. However, extrinsic work value orientation turned out to influence neither academic major satisfaction nor CDMSE. Academic major satisfaction also seemed to affect the CDMSE of the students in this study. Originality/value This study contributes to the field of career development by explaining the significance of undergraduates’ intrinsic work value orientation and academic major satisfaction on career decision-making. Whereas most research has focused on the effects of CDMSE, this study investigated the factors that influence undergraduates’ CDMSE.

Work Value Orientation and TVET Students’ Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy: The Mediating Role of Academic Major Satisfaction

“…This evidence is supported by the data from the SEM which shows that WVOs and AMS were significantly contributed to the explanation of the variance in CDMSE. This result is aligned with prior research that suggests WVOs influenced AMS and CDMSE (Doo & Park, 2019). This result is also supported by other previous research findings that work value and major satisfaction of dental hygiene students have a positive effect on CDMSE (Ji & Heo, 2019).…”

“…According to Masternak and Ross (1992), extrinsic WVO (i.e., focusing on pay and advancement) is an important factor in assessing job attractiveness, indirectly influencing CDMSE. In contrast, Doo and Park (2019) found an insignificant relationship between extrinsic WVO and CDMSE. Several studies have found that extrinsic work values are more stable than intrinsic work values in terms of the stability of work value types (Easterlin & Crimmins, 1991;Jin & Rounds, 2012).…”

“…Many studies have reported that work value has a significant influence on CDMSE. Regarding the WVOs of students, Doo and Park (2019) investigated the effect of the intrinsic and extrinsic work values of 217 South Korean undergraduates on CDMSE. The research results indicated that intrinsic WVO influenced CDMSE.…”

“…All these studies have found that WVOs are related to students' satisfaction with their major. Studies by Doo and Park (2019) and Park (2017) showed that intrinsic WVO significantly influenced AMS while extrinsic WVO was found to have little influence on AMS (Doo & Park, 2019). Choosing a major and engaging in the tasks demanded of that major constitute the process of shaping one's career path.…”

“…Based on the above discussion, many studies found that AMS is related to WVOs and CDMSE, while only one study has examined AMS as a mediator between the two variables (Doo & Park, 2019). The variables of CDMSE and AMS are considered as student outcomes due to their impact on the career development of TVET students.…”