Terje Slåtten, Gudbrand Lien, Solveig Beyza Narli Evenstad and Terje Onshus
The overall aim of this study is to explore factors associated with academic performance among university students. Specifically, it explores whether a supportive study climate is…
Abstract
Purpose
The overall aim of this study is to explore factors associated with academic performance among university students. Specifically, it explores whether a supportive study climate is directly related to academic performance and whether students’ psychological capital (PsyCap), positive emotions and study engagement play a role in the relationship between supportive study climate and academic performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 588 bachelor students from a range of academic programs participated in a survey. The partial least squares (PLS)-based structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the conceptual models and the hypothesized relationships, using the software SmartPLS.
Findings
No support was found for a direct relationship between supportive study climate and academic performance. However, the results show that PsyCap, positive emotions and study engagement have a mediating role between supportive study climate and academic performance. In addition, the findings reveal a multifaceted pattern among PsyCap, positive emotions and study engagement that promotes academic performance.
Originality/value
This is the first study that simultaneously explores the role of PsyCap, emotions and study engagement between supportive study climate and academic performance among university students. Consequently, it broadens and deepens previous research and offers both theoretical and practical implications.
Details
Keywords
Terje Slåtten, Gudbrand Lien, Victoria Helen Batt-Rawden, Solveig Beyza Narli Evenstad and Terje Onshus
This study aims to examine the relationships between students’ psychological capital (PsyCap), social-contextual factors and study-related outcomes. Social-contextual factors are…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the relationships between students’ psychological capital (PsyCap), social-contextual factors and study-related outcomes. Social-contextual factors are represented by two education-related variables: academic support and peer support. Three study-related outcome variables are included, namely, study engagement, academic performance and student well-being.
Design/methodology/approach
Students from different higher education campuses and academic programs in Norway participated.
Findings
PsyCap is directly related to the three study-related outcome variables. The relationship between PsyCap and academic performance is mediated by study engagement. The two social-contextual factors (academic support and peer support) are both related to PsyCap. Finally, PsyCap also mediated the relationship between the two social-contextual factors and the three study-related outcome variables.
Research limitations/implications
Overall, the findings reveal that PsyCap has a key role in all study-related outcomes. Accordingly, managers of higher education institutions should take students’ PsyCap seriously and seek ways to intervene and manage the different resources embraced in the concept of PsyCap.
Originality/value
This study contributes to a relatively new but seemingly growing area of research in educational management, focusing on the role of student PsyCap.
Details
Keywords
Terje Slåtten and Gudbrand Lien
This paper aims to examine the factors related to organizational attractiveness (OA), a concept originating in the strategy of employer branding. Previous research on OA has…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the factors related to organizational attractiveness (OA), a concept originating in the strategy of employer branding. Previous research on OA has predominantly adopted the perspective of external applicants. In contrast, the present study takes the perspective of internal and current employees, extending further the scope of studies on OA.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative data were collected from a survey consisting of a sample of 164 nurses, all employees of public hospitals. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. Furthermore, the indirect effects were tested by mediator analysis.
Findings
Interdepartmental collaboration climate, management support and service quality of care were shown to have a positive effect on OA, with the three factors explaining 45% (R2 = 0.45) of OA. The relationship between management support and OA was found to be mediated through the interdepartmental collaboration climate, and that between the interdepartmental collaboration climate and OA was found to be mediated through the service quality of care.
Originality/value
This study contributes to an understanding of OA from a current employee perspective. Specifically, it reveals how the three factors of interdepartmental collaboration climate, management support and service quality of care influence and shape the perception of current employees (nurses) toward the attractiveness of their organization.