DIGITAL COMPETENCE AND CAREER SELF-EFFICACY IN HIGHER EDUCATION: EVIDENCE FROM UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19974263Keywords:
digital competence, career self-efficacy, employability, higher education, social cognitive career theoryAbstract
The rapid digitalisation of the labour market has increased the demand for graduates who possess not only technical skills but also the confidence to manage career-related challenges. However, empirical evidence explaining how digital competence contributes to students’ career self-efficacy remains limited. This study aims to examine the effect of digital competence on career self-efficacy among undergraduate students. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, involving undergraduate management students selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaires measured on a Likert scale and analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that digital competence has a positive and statistically significant effect on career self-efficacy. Students with higher levels of digital competence demonstrate greater confidence in performing career-related tasks, particularly those involving digital platforms such as online job search and professional communication. These findings suggest that digital competence not only enhances technical capability but also strengthens students’ confidence in navigating career development processes. This study concludes that improving digital competence is essential for enhancing students’ readiness and confidence in entering the digital labour market.
References
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. Macmillan.
Anyango, E., Adama, E., Brown, J., & Ngune, I. (2024). An examination of the career decision-making self-efficacy of final-year nursing students. Nurse Education Today, 138, 106196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106196
Audrin, B., Audrin, C., & Salamin, X. (2024). Digital skills at work: Conceptual development and empirical validation of a measurement scale. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 202, 123279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123279
Dang, T. D., Phan, T. T., Vu, T. N. Q., La, T. D., & Pham, V. K. (2024). Digital competence of lecturers and its impact on student learning value in higher education. Heliyon, 10, e37318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37318
Dash, G., & Paul, J. (2021). CB-SEM vs PLS-SEM methods for research in social sciences. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 173, 121092.
Faul, F., Erdfelder, E., Lang, A.-G., & Buchner, A. (2009). G*Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program. Behavior Research Methods, 41(4), 1149–1160.
González-Prida, V., et al. (2024). Digital competencies as predictors of academic self-efficacy. Societies, 14(11), 226.
Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (3rd ed.). Springer.
Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2015). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based SEM. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43(1), 115–135.
Javier-Aliaga, D., et al. (2024). Academic self-efficacy and digital competence in university students. Contemporary Educational Technology, 16(4), ep540.
Kock, F., Berbekova, A., & Assaf, A. G. (2021). Common method bias in research. Tourism Management, 86, 104330.
Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D., & Hackett, G. (1994). Toward a unifying social cognitive career theory. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 45, 79–122.
Mejías-Acosta, A., et al. (2024). Assessment of digital competencies in higher education students. Frontiers in Education, 9, 1497376.
Ochoa Pacheco, P., & Coello-Montecel, D. (2023). Digital competencies and job performance. Computers in Human Behavior, 140, 107575.
Podsakoff, P. M., et al. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879–903.
Vuorikari, R., Kluzer, S., & Punie, Y. (2022). DigComp 2.2: The digital competence framework for citizens. European Commission.
Wang, Z., & Chu, Z. (2023). Digital competence and self-efficacy. Sustainability, 15(14), 10945.
Zhao, Y. (2021). Digital competence in higher education: A systematic review. Computers & Education, 168, 104212.
