Ana Lanero

Social cognitive determinants of entrepreneurial career choice in university students

This article tests a model of entrepreneurial career choice in university students based upon Social Cognitive Career Theory. In particular, we hypothesize that entrepreneurial interests affect career choice and that perceived self-efficacy is related to outcome expectations and both constructs affect interests and career choice. Additionally, this study explores the differences in these variables and tests the generalization of the relationships among students in both entrepreneurship- and non-entrepreneurship-related disciplines. Data collected from a survey of 400 students at a Spanish university are analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance and Partial Least Squares. The findings indicate that self-efficacy exerted positive effects on outcome expectations, entrepreneurial interests, and career choice, which holds for students across disciplines. However, interests are not associated with career choice, whereas the effects of outcome expectations depend on their extrinsic/intrinsic nature and the student’s academic orientation.

The Contribution of Smart Cities to Quality of Life from the View of Citizens

This study analyses the perceptions of a sample of 272 university students in Spain regarding current and ideal involvement of the municipality in six dimensions defining a smart city (smart economy, smart people, smart governance, smart mobility, smart environment and smart living). Data was collected through a questionnaire and analysed with descriptive statistical analysis and Student t-tests. Results point to an important gap between students’ real experience in the city and the perceived potential of the analysed dimensions to improve future quality of live. Main gaps were found in the dimensions of smart economy and smart governance.

Young Adult Propensity to Join Voluntary Associations: The Role of Civic Engagement and Motivations

Based on a self-selection perspective, this study analyzes the relation between personal civic engagement and the willingness to join a voluntary association by considering the mediating role of motivations. Four factors of civic engagement are considered: civic duty, civic skills, social connection, and civic participation; in addition, three motivations are considered: instrumental, expressive, and career-related. The proposed model is tested using a survey of 408 Spanish young adults with no previous experience as members of any association. The analytical technique used is partial least squares. The findings point that instrumental motivation is the main vehicle to translate the four factors of civic engagement into associational involvement, whereas expressive motivation represents a secondary mediator in the effects of civic duty and social connection. Career-related motivation is not associated with the willingness to join a voluntary association. Implications for the recruitment and retention of young adults in voluntary associations are discussed.

AN ANALYSIS OF THE REASONS ATTRIBUTED BY SPANISH UNDERGRADUATES TO CSR IN ORGANIZATIONS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSUMER BEHAVIOR

Abstract The implications of CSR for consumer behavior have represented a quite common topic in recent literature, main conclusions remarking that, while it is true that socially responsible initiatives may induce some consumer goodwill towards the organization, the effects of CSR are more complex than expected. From this setting, this paper aims to analyze university students’ consumer responses and motives attributed to CSR practices in business settings, just as the useful ness of academic background as segmentation variable. A survey study was conducted from a total sample of 400 Spanish undergraduates. Factor, descriptive and multivariate analysis revealed the coexistence of different CSR dimensions and attributions when defining participants’ consumer behavior, some differences existing between students with different academic background. Implications of the study are discussed.