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An Analysis of Critical Thinking Skills amongst Business Students in Kuwait

Author

Listed:
  • Goodpasture James

    (College of Business Administration, Tarleton State University, USA)

  • Speece Mark

    (College of Business and Economics, American University of Kuwait, Kuwait)

  • Cripps Jeremy

    (College of Business, The University of Findlay, USA)

Abstract

Research Purpose. This article examined critical thinking skills amongst senior-level undergraduate students in a Middle East setting, Kuwait. In addition, the study investigated the gender differences.Methodology. The subjects involved in this study comprised a convenience sample of 90 graduating seniors. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of two motivational factors on the development of critical thinking skills. The analysis used the specific subsection about critical thinking skills, which is part of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). One factor relates the sense of entitlement that can arise in a welfare state, which heavily subsidises a wide range of things for citizens, including education. We examined differences between citizens and non-citizens, who do not have access to welfare benefits.Findings. The results supported the hypotheses that student groups have different levels of critical thinking skills. We found that expatriate students had more highly developed critical thinking skills than students who were Kuwaiti citizens. We also found that women had more highly developed critical thinking skills than men had.Practical Implications. The welfare state measures undertaken by the government of Kuwait may be counterproductive. The guaranteed employment of its citizens and generous monetary support whilst in school may discourage the development of critical thinking skills. Future research could focus on ways to motivate particular groups (e.g. Kuwaiti men) to enhance their critical thinking skills.

Suggested Citation

  • Goodpasture James & Speece Mark & Cripps Jeremy, 2020. "An Analysis of Critical Thinking Skills amongst Business Students in Kuwait," Economics and Culture, Sciendo, vol. 17(1), pages 5-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:ecocul:v:17:y:2020:i:1:p:5-16:n:1
    DOI: 10.2478/jec-2020-0001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Larry Howard & Thomas Tang & M. Jill Austin, 2015. "Teaching Critical Thinking Skills: Ability, Motivation, Intervention, and the Pygmalion Effect," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 128(1), pages 133-147, April.
    2. Falch, Torberg & Fischer, Justina AV, 2011. "Welfare state generosity and student performance: Evidence from international student tests," MPRA Paper 35269, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Igaune Edīte & Liepa-Balode Ilze & Hermane Agnese, 2016. "The Mutual Reciprocity of Education, Non-Formal Cultural Education and Social Capital," Economics and Culture, Sciendo, vol. 13(2), pages 35-43, December.
    4. Bieliune Simona, 2018. "Culture as a Tool for School Improvement: The Case of Children’s Socialisation Centres," Economics and Culture, Sciendo, vol. 15(1), pages 70-77, June.
    5. Andriušaitienė Daiva, 2018. "Occupational Standards: A Key to Improving Match Between Skills and Labour Market Needs in Lithuania," Economics and Culture, Sciendo, vol. 15(2), pages 88-98, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Critical Thinking; MSLQ; Kuwait; Gender; Welfare State; Cultural Economics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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