Frank A. Wiebe

Role Model Performance Effects on Development of Entrepreneurial Career Preference

Critics of the trait approach to the study of entrepreneurship have called for adaptation of theory from other disciplines to explain entrepreneurial behavior. This study responds by focusing on the first step in the process by which entrepreneurial career preference is developed. Social Learning Theory was used to investigate the link between a parent role model and development of preference for an entrepreneurial career. Results indicated that presence of a parent entrepreneurial role model was associated with increased education and training aspirations, task self-efficacy, and expectancy for an entrepreneurial career. Two dimensions of entrepreneurial career preference, entrepreneurial preparedness and expectancy, were identified.

DIMENSIONALITY OF COPING: FACTOR STABILITY USING THE WAYS OF COPING QUESTIONNAIRE

This study presents convergent support for the use of five empirically constructed factors from the “Ways of Coping Questionnaire.” Five coping factors were congruent with the factors reported in a study conducted by Folkman and Lazarus in 1985. The results support a concept of coping as defined by the factors, for student populations. Researchers need to explore different coping contexts to facilitate research and increase our knowledge of coping processes.

Developing Entrepreneurial Behaviours: A Social Learning Theory Perspective

Research on entrepreneurial behaviour has been largely descriptive in nature. Critics of the field have called for an interdisciplinary approach to build theory. A social learning theory framework is proposed for explanation and prediction of entrepreneurial development. Research questions are posed and a model developed to guide future enquiry.

Assessing perception of career role model performance: The self-employed parent

A social learning theory of career decision-making proposes that career and occupational role models can influence an individuals career decision-making activity. Although investigators have assessed the effects of the presence or absence of career role models, measures to assess the effect of the observers evaluation of the model have not been developed. In this study a measure of perceived performance of the self-employed parent as a career role model was developed. Analysis of responses from 223 undergraduates showed the set of items formed one dimension in two subsamples. Factorial stability between the subsamples was demonstrated. Items used to develop the measure also showed some internal consistency. A proposal is made for use of such measures in research on career decision-making and in counseling sessions.

Differentiating Among Three Measures of Career Preference

Previous research in career psychology has used measures of education and training aspirations, career-entry expectations, and career task self-efficacy as indicators of career preference. However, many studies use only one or pairs of these variables. The current investigation established that these three measures could be distinguished from one another and were reliable and had a stable factor structure. A proposal encourages research workers to use all three measures concurrently to obtain a more holistic perspective on development of preference.

Examining the link between social responsibility and decision styles

The paper examines the factors that influence socially responsible decision making by individuals. The study found four social responsibility styles: “Playing it Safe,” “Weather The Storm,” “Problem to Solve,” and “Hope it Goes Away.” These styles describe individuals on the basis of decision style, propensity for risk, and coping style. The styles explain why people with different values might come to the same decision in the same circumstances.