Students’ Intention to pursue a career in Accounting from the Perspective of the theory of Planned Behavior

Authors

  • Edicreia Andrade dos Santos Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, UFSC http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8745-3579
  • Ivanildo Viana Moura Uninter - Centro Universitário Internacional
  • Lauro Brito de Almeida Universidade Federal do Paraná

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17524/repec.v12i1.1635

Keywords:

Profession, Career, Theory of Planned Behavior, Accounting

Abstract

Objective: What are the students' intentions related to the profession and, consequently, their career when taking the undergraduate course in Accounting? In view of the diverse options the professionals of the area have in the market, this study investigates the factors that influence the behavioral intention of the students in all phases at a federal university of the South of Brazil to follow a career in the accounting area, in the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Method: Data collection was performed through a questionnaire applied to 302 students. For the analysis of the data, we used descriptive statistics, factorial analysis and Structural Equations. Results: The results obtained emphasize that the opinions of professionals in the area, friends and partners are relevant for this decision. It is also inferred that the students do not see the careers of the accounting profession accompanied by acknowledged status and prestige; that remunerations are not good; and that there are no good opportunities available in the market. Contribution: The research results contribute to clarify factors that can significantly influence the students' intention to pursue a career in the area they study in, and may also provide inputs on aspects that need to be improved to stimulate students' interest.

Author Biographies

Edicreia Andrade dos Santos, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, UFSC

Edicreia Andrade dos Santos Mestre em Contabilidade pelo Programa de Pós-Graduação em Contabilidade (PPGCont) da Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR) Doutoranda em Contabilidade pelo Programa de Pós-Graduação em Contabilidade (PPGC) da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) Endereço: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário Trindade, Centro Socioeconômico, E-mail: edicreiaandrade@yahoo.com.br Telefone para contato: (48)3721-6436

Lauro Brito de Almeida, Universidade Federal do Paraná

Universidade Federal do Paraná; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Contabilidade Brasil

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Published

2018-02-23

How to Cite

Santos, E. A. dos, Moura, I. V., & Almeida, L. B. de. (2018). Students’ Intention to pursue a career in Accounting from the Perspective of the theory of Planned Behavior. Journal of Education and Research in Accounting (REPeC), 12(1). https://doi.org/10.17524/repec.v12i1.1635