s824221 02
s824221 02
By
Thesis Submitted to
School of Business Management,
Universiti Utara Malaysia,
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the
Master of Human Resource Management
i
Permision to Use
Request for permission to copy or to make other use of materials in this research
paper in whole or in part should be addressed to:
ii
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that final year undergraduates
business students of Univesiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) consider important in selecting
their first job after graduation. Salary and benefits, career development and job
security have been chosen as the independent variables for present study. To
investigate the job preferences of business students, 234 final year undergraduate
business students from UUM were surveyed. Data then were analyzed using
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 using Reliability
Analysis, Correlation Analysis and Multiple Regression. The result showed only
career development and job security were significantly positive with job preferences
while salary and benefits was not significantly influence to job preferences. Besides
that, research findings indicated career development was the strongest factor
influence to job preferences followed by job security.
Keywords: Job Preferences, Salary and Benefits, Career Development, Job Security
iii
Abstrak
Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengkaji faktor-faktor yang dianggap penting oleh
siswazah perniagaan tahun akhir Univesiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) dalam memilih
pekerjaan pertama mereka selepas tamat pengajian. Gaji dan faedah-faedah,
pembangunan kerjaya dan jaminan pekerjaan telah dipilih sebagai pembolehubah
bebas untuk kajian semasa ini. Untuk menyiasat pilihan pekerjaan pelajar
perniagaan, 234 pelajar siswazah perniagaan tahun akhir dari UUM ditinjau. Data
kemudian dianalisis dengan menggunakan Pakej Statistik untuk Sains Sosial (SPSS)
versi 22.0 melalui Analisis Reliabliti, Analisis Korelasi dan Analisis Regresi. Kajian
mendapati hanya pembangunan kerjaya dan jaminan pekerjaan mempunyai
hubungan positif dan signifikan dengan pilihan pekerjaan manakala gaji dan faedah-
faedah tidak mempunyai hubungan signifikan dengan pilihan pekerjaan. Selain itu,
hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa pembangunan kerjaya merupakan faktor pengaruh
terkuat terhadap pilihan pekerjaan diikuti dengan jaminan pekerjaan.
iv
Acknowledgements
The completion of this research paper would not have been possible without the help
well as the inspiration for several individuals. First and foremost, praises and thanks
to Allah S.W.T. for His bounties of blessings throughout my research paper in order
gratitude to my supervisor Prof. Madya Dr. Kamal Bin Ab Hamid for his valuable
my research.
Abdullah Sani Bin Long and Latipah Binti Harun for their courteous support and
always prays for my goodness as well as put their faith in me and urged me to do
better for my research. Thanks also to my brothers and sisters for the joy, happiness,
indirectly, for their continuous support throughout this study. May Allah S.W.T.
v
Table of Content
Abstrak ........................................................................................................................ iv
Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................... v
CHAPTER 1-INTRODUCTION..................................................................................1
vi
2.2.2 Previous Study on Job Preferences ...................................................... 14
2.3 Salary and Benefits ...................................................................................... 17
2.3.1 Definition and Conceptualization of Salary and Benefits .................... 17
2.3.2 Previous Study on Salary and Benefits ................................................ 18
2.4 Career Development .................................................................................... 21
2.4.1 Definition and Conceptualization of Career Development .................. 21
2.4.2 Previous Study on Career Development .............................................. 21
2.5 Job Security ................................................................................................. 24
2.5.1 Definition and Conceptualization of Job Security ............................... 24
2.5.2 Previous Study on Job Security............................................................ 24
2.6 Expectancy Theory ...................................................................................... 26
2.7 Hypotheses Development ............................................................................ 28
2.7.1 Salary and Benefits .............................................................................. 28
2.7.2 Career Development............................................................................. 31
2.7.3 Job Security .......................................................................................... 33
2.8 Research Framework .................................................................................... 34
2.9 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 35
vii
CHAPTER 4-RESEARCH FINDINGS.....................................................................50
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................68
APPENDICES............................................................................................................81
viii
LIST OF TABLES
Page
School of Business
ix
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure 1.1 Declining of monthly basic pay for bachelor's and bachelor's 5
employer
Figure 1.3 Analysis the reason employees planning to leave their job 7
x
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
xi
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
This chapter presents the background of the study, problem statement, research
questions, research objectives, significant of the study, scope of the study and
definition of variables.
Quartey & Florence, 2017). Meanwhile, work also satisfies individual personal and
family needs (Nord, Brief, Atieh & Doherty, 1990 cited in Bruce et al., 2017).
Hence, individuals tends to attach specific important attributes towards the jobs they
want to persue (Wong & Yuen, 2012 cited in Bruce et al. 2017). According to
Karunamurthi and Lai (2018), each individuals have their own choice in choosing a
suitable career that can assure them in the future. In addition, Thayaparan and
Gunathilaka (2018) explained that each individual has different way in choosing the
job based on their preference, skills, strenght, education, area of interest and
specialization.
Besides, Deason (2010) stated that every fresh graduates have their own initial
interest in the job they want to persue, thus after they already prepared with their
initial interest, then they will analyzed whether the company met with their needs
and requirements. Hence, it is crucial to know the factors that can motivate people‟s
1
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APPENDICES
APPENDIX A : QUESTIONNAIRE
81
FACTORS INFLUENCING JOB PREFERENCES AMONG
MALAYSIA
Dear respondents,
I am a Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM) student from Universiti
Utara Malaysia. I am conducting this research regarding the title above to fulfill my
academic requirement for the final year course. The purpose of this survey is to
examine the factors that the final year undergraduates business students in Universiti
Utara Malaysia consider important in selecting their first job after graduation. Thus, I
would like to attain your kindness to fullfill this questionnaire. This questionnaire is
divided into three (3) sections; A, B, C. Thank you for your cooperation.
1. Age / Umur:
( ) 22-24 years old
( ) 25-27 years old
( ) 28 years old and above
2. Gender / Jantina:
( ) Male / Lelaki
( ) Female / Perempuan
3. Ethnicity / Kaum:
( ) Malay / Melayu
( ) Chinese / Cina
( ) Indian / India
( ) Others, please specify / Lain-lain sila nyatakan ___________________
83
SECTION B (JOB PREFERENCES)
Please circle the number to indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the
following statement.
Sila bulatkan pada nombor untuk menunjukkan sejauh mana anda bersetuju atau tidak
bersetuju dengan kenyataan berikut.
84
SECTION C : FACTORS INFLUENCING JOB PREFERENCES
SEKSYEN C : FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI PILIHAN
PEKERJAAN
Please circle the number to indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the
following statement.
Sila bulatkan pada nombor untuk menunjukkan sejauh mana anda bersetuju atau tidak
bersetuju dengan kenyataan berikut.
85
Saya inginkan pekerjaan
di mana organisasi itu
menawarkan faedah
perubatan dan kesihatan.
86
13. I would like a job that
encourages me to
continuously gain new job 1 2 3 4 5
related skills.
Saya inginkan pekerjaan
yang mendorong saya
untuk terus mendapat
87
18. I would like a job
where if my job is
eliminated my current 1 2 3 4 5
organization will offer to
another job in the
organization.
Saya ingin pekerjaan di
mana jika kerja saya
dihapuskan organisasi
saya sekarang akan
menawarkan kerja lain
dalam organisasi.
19. I would like a job
where if I was quit from
my present job, my
current organization
would transfer me to
another job.
Saya inginkan pekerjaan 1 2 3 4 5
di mana jika saya
diberhentikan dari kerja
saya sekarang, organisasi
semasa saya akan
memindahkan saya ke
pekerjaan lain.
20. I would like a job
where regardless
economic conditions, I
will have a job at my
current organization.
Saya inginkan pekerjaan 1 2 3 4 5
di mana tanpa
menghiraukan keadaan
ekonomi, saya akan tetap
mempunyai pekerjaan di
organisasi saya sekarang.
Thank you for your time and cooperation. Please check to make sure no questions
are skipped inadvertently.
Terima kasih untuk masa dan kerjasama anda. Sila semak untuk memastikan tiada
soalan dilangkau secara tidak sengaja.
88
APPENDIX B: PROFILE OF RESPONDENT
Age
Cumulativ
Frequency Percent Valid Percent e Percent
Valid 22-24 years old 191 81.6 81.6 81.6
25-27 years old 43 18.4 18.4 100.0
Total 234 100.0 100.0
Gender
Cumulative
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent
Valid Male 64 27.4 27.4 27.4
Female 170 72.6 72.6 100.0
Total 234 100.0 100.0
Ethnicity
Cumulative
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent
Valid Malay 155 66.2 66.2 66.2
Chinese 57 24.4 24.4 90.6
Indian 22 9.4 9.4 100.0
Total 234 100.0 100.0
Course of study
Cumulative
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent
Valid BBA 107 45.7 45.7 45.7
Entrepreneurship 26 11.1 11.1 56.8
HR 54 23.1 23.1 79.9
Marketing 47 20.1 20.1 100.0
Total 234 100.0 100.0
Semester of study
Cumulative
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent
Valid Seven 219 93.6 93.6 93.6
Eight 15 6.4 6.4 100.0
Total 234 100.0 100.0
89
APPENDIX C: RESULT OF DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS
Descriptive Statistics
90
APPENDIX D: RESULT OF REABILITY TEST FOR PILOT TEST (n=30)
Reliability Statistics
Cronbach's
Alpha Based
on
Cronbach's Standardized
N of
Alpha Items Items
.738 .762 5
Item Statistics
J1 4.3333 .47946 30
J2 4.1667 .64772 30
J3 4.1667 .46113 30
J4 4.1667 .46113 30
J5 4.2333 .62606 30
91
b) Reliability result of salary and benefits (SB)
N %
Reliability Statistics
Cronbach's
Alpha Based
on
Cronbach's Standardized
N of
Alpha Items Items
.881 .886 5
Item Statistics
SB 4.4000 .67466 30
SB 4.5000 .57235 30
SB 4.5333 .57135 30
SB 4.5000 .57235 30
SB 4.6000 .49827 30
92
c) Reliability result of career development (CD)
N %
Reliability Statistics
Cronbach's
Alpha Based on
Cronbach's Standardized
Alpha Items N of Items
.726 .777 5
Item Statistics
93
d) Reliability result for job security (JS)
N %
Relibiality Statistics
Cronbach's
Alpha Based on
Cronbach's Standardized
Alpha Items N of Items
.868 .875 5
Item Statistics
94
APPENDIX E: RESULT OF REABILITY TEST (n= 234)
N %
Cases Valid 234 100.0
Excludeda 0 .0
Reliability Statistics
Cronbach's
Alpha N of Items
.695 5
Item-Total Statistics
Corrected Cronbach's
Scale Mean Scale Item- Total Alpha if
if Item Variance if Correlation Item
Deleted Item Deleted Deleted
JP1 16.37 4.767 .561 .599
JP2 16.30 4.890 .527 .614
JP3 16.29 4.439 .590 .580
JP4 16.32 5.225 .295 .718
JP5 16.18 5.667 .315 .696
95
b) Realibility result of salary and benefits (SB)
N %
Cases Valid 234 100.0
Excludeda 0 .0
Total 234 100.0
a. Listwise deletion based on all variables in the procedure.
Reliability Statistics
Cronbach's Alpha
N of Items
.695 5
Item-Total Statistics
Corrected Cronbach's
Scale Scale Item- Total Alpha if
Mean if Variance if Correlation Item
Item Item Deleted
Deleted Deleted
SB1 18.18 3.355 .246 .790
SB2 17.71 3.366 .575 .593
SB3 17.68 3.573 .526 .618
SB4 17.55 3.622 .537 .616
SB5 17.53 3.761 .562 .617
96
c) Reliability result of career development (CD)
N %
Cases Valid 234 100.0
Excludeda 0 .0
Total 234 100.0
a. Listwise deletion based on all variables in the procedure.
Reliability Statistics
Cronbach's
Alpha N of Items
.633 5
Item-Total Statistics
Corrected Cronbach's
Scale Mean Scale Item- Total Alpha if
if Item Variance if Correlation Item
Deleted Item Deleted
Deleted
CD1 17.47 3.358 .477 .539
CD2 17.52 3.401 .510 .529
CD3 17.37 3.316 .496 .530
CD4 17.37 3.754 .356 .596
CD5 17.92 3.179 .226 .711
97
d) Reliability result of job security (JS)
N %
Cases Valid 234 100.0
Excludeda 0 .0
Total 234 100.0
a. Listwise deletion based on all variables in the procedure.
Reliability Statistics
Cronbach's
Alpha N of Items
.653 5
Item-Total Statistics
Corrected Cronbach'
Scale Mean Scale Variance Item- Total s Alpha if
if Item if Item Correlatio Item
Deleted Deleted n Deleted
JS1 16.28 6.701 .283 .650
JS2 16.66 5.574 .411 .598
JS3 16.77 5.286 .454 .576
JS4 16.82 4.978 .493 .555
JS5 16.85 5.261 .396 .608
98
APPENDIX F: RESULT OF PEARSON CORRELATION
Correlations
99
APPENDIX G: MULTIPLE REGRESSION
Modal summary
Change Statistics
Adjusted Std. Error of R F
M R R R the Square Change df
o Square Square Estimate Chang 1
d e
el
1 .363 .132 .121 .505 .132 11.660 3
a
ANOVAa
Sum of
Model Square df Mean Square F Sig.
s
1 Regression 8.926 3 2.975 11.660 .000b
Residual 58.690 230 .255
Total 67.616 233
a. Dependent Variable: Job preferences
b. Predictors: (Constant), Job security, Salary benefits, Career development
100
Coefficientsa
Standardized
Unstandardized Coefficients
Coefficients t Sig
Model
B Std. Error Beta .
1 (Constant) 1.935 .378 5.121 .000
Salary and benefits .086 .090 .073 .956 .340
Career development .257 .093 .211 2.751 .006
Job security .151 .068 .158 2.218 .028
a. Dependent Variable: Job preferences
101