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Understanding Students' Choice of Academic Majors: A Longitudinal Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Lin Mei Tan
  • Fawzi Laswad

Abstract

This study extends Tan and Laswad's 2006a study by surveying the same students at the beginning and end of their degree programme at a New Zealand university regarding their major choices, beliefs and attitudes towards majoring in accounting or a non-accounting discipline. Using the theory of planned behaviour, the objectives are to compare intentions with behaviour in relation to majoring in accounting and other business disciplines and to examine changes in attitudes and beliefs between the beginning and end of university study. The results indicate many students choose majors that are consistent with their intentions at the beginning of their university study but some students also change their intentions and major in other areas. Some attitudes and beliefs change over time but the major choice tends to remain relatively stable. The results suggest that a higher proportion of accounting students than other business students decide on their major prior to university study. This may suggest that promoting accounting as a career may need to focus on pre-university students.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin Mei Tan & Fawzi Laswad, 2009. "Understanding Students' Choice of Academic Majors: A Longitudinal Analysis," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(3), pages 233-253.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:accted:v:18:y:2009:i:3:p:233-253
    DOI: 10.1080/09639280802009108
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Pritika Baliyan & Som Baliyan, 2016. "Employment Preference of Undergraduate Accounting Students in Botswana: Perceptional Analysis of Practitioners and Students," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(12), pages 271-271, November.
    2. Karlsson, Per & Noela, Massa, 2022. "Beliefs influencing students’ career choices in Sweden and reasons for not choosing the accounting profession," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    3. Leiv Opstad, 2021. "Different Views about Job Opportunities among Business and Economics Students Depending on Personality Traits," Eurasian Journal of Social Sciences, Eurasian Publications, vol. 9(1), pages 1-13.
    4. Daoust, Laurence, 2020. "Playing the Big Four recruitment game: The tension between illusio and reflexivity," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    5. Apostolou, Barbara & Hassell, John M. & Rebele, James E. & Watson, Stephanie F., 2010. "Accounting education literature review (2006–2009)," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 28(3), pages 145-197.

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