From high school to workplace: investigating the effects of soft skills on career engagement through the role of psychological capital in different age groups
Abstract:PurposeThis study aims at investigating the indirect effect of soft skills on career engagement through the role of psychological capital (PsyCap) in different age groups. The social cognitive theory (SCT) and job demands-resource model (JD-R) were employed to explain the effect of perceived skill mastery on PsyCap and career engagement.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from 707 high school students, 150 university students and 165 employees using a three-wave data collection technique. This s… Show more
“…There is evidence of an increase in research in the last five years that has explored the relationship between psychological capital and variables such as academic satisfaction, academic performance, entrepreneurship intention, academic confidence, motivation, and academic commitment. For the year 2021, studies in the context of the covid-19 pandemic, academic satisfaction, academic exhaustion and adaptation of questionnaires stand out ( Aryani et al., 2021 ; Karing, 2021 ; Ma and Liu, 2021 ; Villanueva-Flores et al., 2021 ; Wang et al., 2021 ). Figure 5 Trend topics around psychological capital in university students (2009–2021).…”
“…There is evidence of an increase in research in the last five years that has explored the relationship between psychological capital and variables such as academic satisfaction, academic performance, entrepreneurship intention, academic confidence, motivation, and academic commitment. For the year 2021, studies in the context of the covid-19 pandemic, academic satisfaction, academic exhaustion and adaptation of questionnaires stand out ( Aryani et al., 2021 ; Karing, 2021 ; Ma and Liu, 2021 ; Villanueva-Flores et al., 2021 ; Wang et al., 2021 ). Figure 5 Trend topics around psychological capital in university students (2009–2021).…”
“…Calvo and Garc ıa (2021) demonstrated a positive relationship between students' PsyCap and perceived employability. Students' PsyCap was also found to mediate the effect of academic stress and well-being (Poots and Cassidy, 2020), the effects of perceived social norms and multiculturalism attitudes on entrepreneurial intention (Ephrem et al, 2019;Maslakcı et al, 2021), the effect of soft skills on career engagement (Aryani et al, 2021), the effect of mindfulness on intrinsic motivation and study engagement (Ali et al, 2022) and the effects of learning goal on both academic satisfaction and performance (S anchez-Cardona et al, 2021). Psychological resource theories posit that psychological resources can direct people's attitudes that help achieve desirable outcomes in a variety of life and work domains (Hobfoll, 2002;Luthans et al, 2014).…”
Section: Antecedents Of Quality Of University Lifementioning
PurposeThis study takes its basis in job demands-resources (JD-R) and psychological resource theories to investigate the role of two personal factors – psychological capital (PsyCap) and study crafting – in the quality of university life of business students.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 806 undergraduate business students in Vietnam was surveyed to collect data. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to validate the measures and structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the model and hypotheses.FindingsThe results produced by SEM demonstrated that students' PsyCap had a positive effect on quality of university life. In addition, study crafting positively moderated the relationship between students' PsyCap and quality of university life.Practical implicationsThe study findings suggest that universities could complement higher performance standards of universities with efforts to enhance quality of university life by developing and nurturing students' PsyCap and study crafting, enabling students to rise to the challenge posed by higher standards.Originality/valueThe study findings contribute to the literature on business education by confirming the overarching role that PsyCap plays in the quality of university life of students. Further, the study introduces the concept of study crafting and demonstrates that study crafting alone and in combination with PsyCap may help business students enjoy a higher quality of university life.
“…Soft skills have a beneficial impact on psychological capital which leads to increased professional engagement across all age groups (Aryani et al. , 2021).…”
Section: Literature Review and The Formulation Of This Study’s Hypoth...mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Unlike graduates and managers, these abilities help to develop graduates' soft skills. Across all age groups, soft skills are the leading agents of professional engagement (Aryani et al. , 2021) and are enhanced by training.…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…, 2020). In addition, Problem-Solving Confidence ( PSC ) increases an individual’s CD and CI (Aryani et al. , 2021).…”
PurposeIn the digital age, the development of students’ career intentions requires serious concentration since these are associated with the students’ future employment and, ultimately, their survival. This study attempted to demonstrate in Pakistan’s Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs) the role of soft skills towards the students' career development (CD) and their future career intentions (CI).Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the researchers used a quantitative approach and a questionnaire to collect the data from the surveyed participants. Finally, the researchers based this study’s findings on 392 useable samples.FindingsBy employing the structural equation model (SEM), this study’s findings show that soft skills, such as Creative Self-Efficacy (CSE), Problem-Solving Confidence (PSC) and Teamwork (TW) have a positive and significant effect on CD and CI. However, while Critical thinking and Creativity (CRC) has a positive and significant effect on CD, it has no effect on CI. In addition, this study’s findings confirm, also, that CD has a positive and significant effect on CI.Practical implicationsThis study’s findings assist policymakers and university administrators to understand the importance of soft skills in creating CD and CI. These promote the development of employability skills and fulfill its part in preparing graduates for the unpredictable job market. This study’s findings help, also, to develop logical reasoning in making decisions and in dealing with complex organizational issues.Originality/valueIn a practical way, in Pakistan, this study’s findings confirm the role of soft skills towards students' CD and CI.
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