Muller, Steven J. (2022) An Examination of the Predictive Utility of Self-efficacy Beliefs in Career Persistence Among Women of STEM in Science-related Roles Within Australian Agriculture. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
The Australian agriculture industry is part of a global agricultural shift to generate greater productivity and develop more technologically advanced processes. This research explored the contribution of women in science related roles within this industry and their persistence intentions in remaining in this developing industry. Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) was used as a framework to explain the career persistence intentions of this population. Few studies have focussed on Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) personnel within the Australian agricultural context. This thesis addresses the even greater gap in literature by narrowing the focus to women in science related roles within the industry. SCCT has been used in a generalised way across educational and career contexts to understand academic and career choices, and persistence intentions. The literature is reviewed to understand the hypothesis through operationalised factors based on SCCT theory and prior research. A model of career persistence was adapted to test the predictive utility of self-efficacy, barrier coping efficacy, and perceived organisational support. A quantitative research design using online survey data with subsequent hierarchical regression analysis tested the predictive utility of the variables on persistence intentions. The model revealed that barrier coping efficacy, and perceived organisational support were significant predictors of career intentions, while task efficacy did not contribute significantly to the outcome variable. Therefore, it is important for organisations to provide barrier minimisation strategies and high organisational support for career persistence.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Wellbeing (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Kristen Lovric |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Aug 2025 00:43 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Aug 2025 00:43 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Social Cognitive Career Theory; Women; Science-related; Agriculture; Career Persistence |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52605 |
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