Context-specific elective coursework and student’s employability development: Application of social cognitive career theory in hospitality education

Abstract

Existing research is in hospitality education is primarily focused on the degree level, rather than the course level. This study advances extant research that analyzes coursework by also applying social cognitive career theory (SCCT) to examine the relationships between problem-based learning, teachers' transformational leadership, and students' self-efficacy and employability. Over a timeframe of four years, 919 undergraduate hospitality management students participated in this research. Structural equation modeling identified significant positive correlations between students' self-efficacy, problem-based learning and employability, as well as teachers' transformational leadership. In addition, problem-based learning and students' self-efficacy were key mediators of the relationship between teachers' transformational leadership and student’ employability. No significant differences were found among mode of instruction or faculty member. Hence, this research provides a baseline for evaluation of various pedagogical methods and content delivery in hospitality education.