Abstract

Although researchers have previously discussed the consequences of extracurricular activity (ECA) participation, the question of which factors affect the intention to participate in ECAs has been less addressed. By incorporating the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and signaling theory, this study investigates the role of the components of the TPB and signal quality in the intention to join ECAs. In addition, the contingent effects of students’ demographic profiles, such as their gender, their year in school, and whether they have a part-time job, are examined. A sample of 386 students at various universities in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, was used to test a model that incorporates the relationships between TPB components and signal quality by means of the partial least squares (PLS) technique. The results of this study indicate that the three components of the TPB have positive impacts on the intention to join ECAs. In addition, signal quality affects both attitude and intention. Finally, students’ demographic profiles, such as their gender, their year in school, and whether they have a part-time job, have moderating roles in the relationship from attitude and subjective norms to intention. This study adopted a cross-sectional design and was conducted in Vietnam only. Future research should consider longitudinal studies and make comparisons between countries with diverse cultures. As another limitation, this study investigated only university students. Future research, therefore, is needed to consider other subjects and different sectors, such as high school pupils. The results of this study suggest that ECA organizers should send clear, consistent, and credible signals to potential members. Additionally, parents, teachers and other influencers should talk to and encourage students to join ECAs. As a major contribution of this study, it incorporates the TPB and signaling theory to examine the antecedents of ECA participation.

摘要

尽管研究人员先前已经讨论了课外活动（ECA）参与的后果，但是哪些因素影响了参加ECA的意图的问题却很少得到解决。通过结合计划行为理论（TPB）和信号理论，本研究调查了TPB组件和信号质量在加入ECA中的作用。此外，还检查了学生人口统计资料的偶然影响，例如性别，在校时间以及是否有兼职工作。越南胡志明市各大学的386名学生样本被用来测试通过偏最小二乘（PLS）技术整合了TPB分量和信号质量之间关系的模型。这项研究的结果表明，城规会的三个组成部分对加入ECA的意愿有积极的影响。此外，信号质量会影响态度和意图。最后，学生的人口统计资料（例如性别，在校年限以及是否有兼职工作）在从态度和主观规范到意图的关系中起调节作用。本研究采用横断面设计，仅在越南进行。未来的研究应考虑纵向研究，并在具有不同文化的国家之间进行比较。另一个局限性是，该研究仅调查了大学生。因此，未来的研究需要考虑其他学科和不同领域，例如高中生。这项研究的结果表明，ECA组织者应向潜在成员发出清晰，一致且可信的信号。此外，家长，老师和其他影响者应与学生交谈并鼓励他们加入ECA。作为这项研究的主要贡献，它结合了城规会和信号理论来检验ECA参与的前提。