ABSTRACT

Purpose

The aim of the study was to identify factors associated with tertiary students’ intention to pursue agriculture-related careers. The moderating effect of gender and geographic location on the predictive relationships was also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative data were collected from 488 students studying in five agricultural-based institutions of higher learning in Malaysia. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data.

Findings

Attitudes towards agriculture, perceived behavioral control, agricultural knowledge, and perception of sustainable agriculture methods predicted students’ intention to join agricultural-related occupations. The results differed according to gender and place of residence for all predictors except conditions of resource facilitation.

Practical implications

The findings offer insight into the factors agricultural students consider when deciding whether to pursue careers in agriculture. This can help educational decision-makers respond to the motivational needs of students in recruiting and retention.

Theoretical implications

By introducing three new constructs, the study extends application of the theory of planned behavior for predicting intention and behavior in the field of agriculture.

Originality/value

The study addresses an important gap on key factors predicting tertiary students’ pursuit of careers in agriculture. A better understanding of factors that shape students’ decision-making about future careers in agriculture can raise critical awareness of where programing efforts are likely to be effective.

中文翻译：

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以农业为职业：使用计划行为理论的扩展模型预测学生在农业部门的参与

摘要

目的

该研究的目的是确定与大专生从事农业相关职业的意向相关的因素。还检查了性别和地理位置对预测关系的调节作用。

设计/方法/方法

定量数据来自马来西亚五所农业高等院校的 488 名学生。结构方程模型（SEM）用于分析数据。

发现

对农业的态度、感知的行为控制、农业知识和对可持续农业方法的感知预测了学生加入农业相关职业的意愿。除资源便利化条件外，所有预测变量的结果因性别和居住地而异。

实际影响

研究结果提供了对农业学生在决定是否从事农业职业时考虑的因素的深入了解。这可以帮助教育决策者响应学生在招聘和保留方面的动机需求。

理论意义

通过引入三个新的结构，该研究扩展了计划行为理论在农业领域预测意图和行为的应用。

原创性/价值

该研究解决了预测高等教育学生从事农业职业的关键因素的重要差距。更好地了解影响学生未来农业职业决策的因素可以提高对计划工作可能有效的地方的批判意识。