The crucial first year: a longitudinal study of students’ motivational development at a Swiss Business School
Journal
Higher Education
ISSN
0018-1560
ISSN-Digital
1573-174X
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2016-03
Author(s)
Abstract
In Switzerland, every student graduating from grammar school can begin to study at a university. This leads to high dropout rates. Although students’ motivation is considered a strong predictor of performance, the development of motivation during students’ transition from high school to university has rarely been investigated. Additionally, little is known about the relation of motivational aspects with other influences on study performance. The present longitudinal study addresses this research gap and examines the development of economics and management students’ study motivation. It encompasses four waves of data collected throughout the first year, using quantitative online surveys. In total, the sample consists of 820 students. Data is analysed using latent change modelling. Results indicate that students start at a higher level of intrinsic motivation compared to extrinsic motivation. The variability of the starting value of the two constructs is also differing. The analysis also shows a gradual decline in students’ motivation. Above all, the transition from secondary to higher education seems to be a driver for this decline.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Springer Science + Business Media B.V.
Publisher place
Dordrecht
Volume
73
Number
3
Start page
459
End page
478
Pages
20
Subject(s)
Eprints ID
250056