Uulkje de Jong

Educational differentials in the Netherlands : Testing rational action theory

In this paper, we test how well Rational Action Theory, as developed to explain educational differentials, applies in the Dutch situation. The question we address is the extent to which the mechanisms assumed to be at work can explain class and gender differentials in participation in higher education. After explaining the Dutch educational system and outlining Rational Action Theory, we formulate four hypotheses that we test using data from a panel survey among high school pupils first interviewed in 1991. Evaluating the theory, we conclude that the mechanisms assumed to be at work can indeed explain class differentials in participation in higher education. Moreover, we find support for the hypothesis that the mechanism of relative risk aversion is the most crucial factor in the model. We could not convincingly show that the theory explains gender differentials.

The development of higher education students’ interest in their subject: the case of higher professional education in the Netherlands

Higher education students’ interest in their subject has been found to clearly decrease during the first year of their studies in the Netherlands. This decrease is much smaller for students in the second year, and even turns into an increase in higher years. The loss of interest after enrolment in higher education has also been found in longitudinal data. The drop in interest in school is a well‐known phenomenon in secondary education. This study reported in this article investigated whether the explanations found in the secondary education research can be translated to the situation of students in higher professional education. The analyses were performed using structural equation modelling. It was found that the difference in interest in the subject directly after enrolment, and in the second year, can be explained by lower integration of students in the study environment, and by other aspects of life that interfere with studying and with the motivation to study.

Implementing research in professional higher education Factors that influence lecturers’ perceptions

Higher professional education in Europe has changed from teaching-only institutes to hybrids of teaching and research. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence the judgements of lecturers about new organisational goals and perceptions of their new research-related competencies. Lecturers’ judgements of new organisational goals and self-efficacy related to newly expected competencies were modelled in a bio-ecological model. Findings show that lecturers’ perceptions of self-efficacy can be influenced by an open organisational culture, while lecturers’ judgements of new organisational goals can be influenced by decision-making systems. The professional development of lecturers through formal education and participation in research influences both self-efficacy and judgements. Hence, direct executive managers have three steering mechanisms by which they can influence lecturers’ perceptions during the implementation of new organisational activities: a) Educational Policy, b) Management Policy and c) Developmental Policy. Implications are discussed.

The influence of direct executive managers on lecturers’ perceptions on new organizational aims in times of academic drift

During educational change, managers can contribute positively to the professional’s sense of coping ability. The question remains as to whether the managers of lecturers can also influence the perception of lecturers on newly formulated organizational aims. Recently, the changes in many European institutes of higher professional education (HPE) have been considerable. The innovationsathand include the Dutch HPE institutes changing from teaching-only institutes toward hybrid organizations for teaching and research. The role of lecturers is central in implementing research into HPE, especially into the educational programmes. Hence, lecturers’ view on the new organizational aims are crucial. Based on a quantitative design, lecturers’ perceptions on the new organizational aims are measured. As part of a structural equation model, these perceptions are related to how lecturers perceive their direct executives’ leadership style, directly as well as mediated by executive-imputed organizational structures as collaboration systems and decision-making processes. The results show that the direct influence of executives based on their leadership style is limited, while initiating lecturers’ participation in decision-making processes is an important influence on lecturers’ perceptions on new organizational aims. More empirical insight into leadership factors and organizational structures can enlarge the improvement of goal achievement during organizational change.

The dynamics of ethnic identity and student life

Students entering higher education need to integrate themselves into a new study community. Those coming from minority ethnic backgrounds may experience this phase more intensely since they may feel themselves to be different or consider that they are being treated differently. This article approaches ethnic identity as a dynamic concept. The differences characterizing students with varying ethnic self‐definitions are explored as subjective factors that are important for good study progress. Finally, study progress after one year is analyzed.