Shann, Faye (2020) Cognitive Flexibility and the VUCA Workplace Environment. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
The need for universities to deliver work-ready graduates is paramount. With the workplace environment becoming increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA), employees must rely on cognitive flexibility to meet modern workplace demands. Recent studies suggest that cognitive flexibility is reinforced by an environment that demands its use. The current research examines the relationship between occupation-type and cognitive flexibility, specifically examining whether full-time university students studying in relatively static learning environments have less ability to switch between tasks than full-time professionals working in highly VUCA environments. Differences between occupations (63 full-time business students versus 67 full-time professionals) were measured using the time difference in performance on Part A and Part B of the digital Trail Making Test (dTMT). Mediation analysis was also performed to determine if self-perceived VUCA levels are responsible for this difference. Students were found to demonstrate less cognitive flexibility than professionals, but contrary to expectations, levels of VUCA were not found to mediate this effect. The results of the study invite further investigation into whether, and how, the work environment plays a conditioning role in its acquisition. This novel area of research undoubtedly has important implications for the development of university curricula effective in preparing students for demanding ever-changing work roles.
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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: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Michael Ireland |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Sep 2025 04:09 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Sep 2025 04:09 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | VUCA, cognitive flexibility; conditioned response; university education; |
| 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/52747 |
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