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Different Attitudes Towards Mathematics Among Economic And Business Students And Choice Of Business Course Major In Norway

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  • Leiv OPSTAD

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim)

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to map out any differences regarding attitudes towards mathematics among students at the Faculty of Economics and Management, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Approximately 200 students from three departments, Economics, Business School, and Industrial Economics and Technology Management, answered a survey about their attitudes towards mathematics. Through factor analysis, a measuring instrument for ‘attitude towards mathematics’ was constructed. The chosen methods were an independent samples t-test and binary logistic regression. This study sought to understand the impact of students’ attitudes towards mathematics and how that affects their choices within economics and business courses. Students at the Business School can choose different major courses in third year. There is a substantial difference in attitudes towards mathematics among those students. The findings suggest that students from Industrial Economics and Technology Management have the highest self-confidence in mathematics. Further, students with low self-confidence, value and enjoyment in mathematics tend to choose non-quantitative subjects such as marketing, organisation and management, while students with high scores prefer finance subjects. This research confirms that those students who valued mathematics and view it as useful, choose mathematic related studies. Furthermore, there is a link between students’ attitudes towards mathematics (enjoyment, value and self-confidence) and their choice in further studies. A student’s confidence and interest in a field of study is related to their chosen major. One motivation is earlier experience within the field. If a student achieves good grades and has success in mathematics, it creates a positive attitude towards this subject and will influence the choice of studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Leiv OPSTAD, 2019. "Different Attitudes Towards Mathematics Among Economic And Business Students And Choice Of Business Course Major In Norway," Social Sciences and Education Research Review, Department of Communication, Journalism and Education Sciences, University of Craiova, vol. 6(2), pages 6-30, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:edt:jsserr:v:6:y:2019:i:2:p:6-30
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrew Worthington & Helen Higgs, 2004. "Factors explaining the choice of an economics major: The role of student characteristics, personality and perceptions of the profession," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 31(5/6), pages 593-613, May.
    2. Andrew Worthington & Helen Higgs, 2003. "Factors explaining the choice of a finance major: the role of students' characteristics, personality and perceptions of the profession," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(1), pages 1-21.
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    Cited by:

    1. Leiv Opstad, 2023. "The Relationship Between Norwegian Business Students’ Attitudes Towards Mathematics And Success In Business Education," International Journal of Teaching and Education, European Research Center, vol. 11(1), pages 47-60, December.
    2. Leiv Opstad & Torbjorn Arethun, 2020. "Skills, Gender, and Performance Matter when Undergraduate Business Students Choose Specialisation within Business Courses," International Journal of Management, Knowledge and Learning, International School for Social and Business Studies, Celje, Slovenia, vol. 9(1), pages 95-107.
    3. Leiv Opstad, 2022. "Factors Explaining Business Students’ Success In Business Statistics: A Case From A Scandinavian Business School," Business Education and Accreditation, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    attitudes towards mathematics; quantitative analysis; business course major;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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