Career preferences of business students in Norway and Poland: Factors explaining the choice between public and private sector

There is competition between the public and private sectors to attract a highly qualified workforce in business and management. This study contributes to understanding the factors that influence students' choices, which can help make workplaces more attractive. It examines the career preferences of business and management students from Norway and Poland, focusing on their inclinations towards the private and public sectors. A survey questionnaire of students in both countries, analysed with structural equation modelling, revealed a strong inclination (94%) towards the private sector. Key determinants influencing sector choice include perceptions of the public sector's efficiency, valuation of job security, social responsibility, and gender-based preferences. The study confirmed certain pre-existing notions about public sector perceptions while also highlighting regional differences between Polish and Norwegian students. While Poles prioritize job security, likely influenced by the nation's current labour market, Norwegians to a greater degree hold the public sector in high regard and demonstrate a strong sense of social responsibility. Across both nationalities, those valuing high prestige and salaries prefer the private sector. The paper underscores the nuanced factors guiding the career choices of the next generation of professionals.