Motives underlying the choice of business majors: A multi-country comparison

• Published in: The international journal of management education Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 50 - 61
• Main Authors: Davies, Mark A.P., Tikoo, Surinder, Ding, Jiali Laura, Salama, Mohamed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Business education; Cultural convergence; Globalization; Institutional theory; Motives; Motives; Institutional theory; Cultural convergence; Business education; Globalization
• ISSN: 1472-8117
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijme.2016.01.001

This study examines the motives that affect students' choice of business majors. Based on a literature review, five motives affecting students' choice of business majors were identified. These motives were measured using data collected from undergraduate business students in China, UAE, UK, and USA. Factor analyses of the four datasets revealed a remarkably similar factor structure indicating that the motives underlying the choices of different major in these four countries are similar. Across the four countries, the importance of these motives is the same for two motives and only partially different for the remaining three motives. Overall, the results suggest that there is considerable global convergence in consumer behavior in the business education context. •We examined if student motives for choosing a business major are similar or dissimilar across four countries.•It was discovered that the motives underlying the choices of a business major in the four countries are similar.•The importance of these motives is the same for two motives and only partially different for three motives.•The findings are useful for educational institutions that seek to expand their programs in foreign countries.