REASONS FOR STUDYING MANAGEMENT: EXPLORING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GROUPS

Abstract

Background: Comprehending the reasons driving students' choices of study programs is crucial for academic institutions in customizing their offerings and for the broader education sector to synchronize with industry needs and student ambitions. The pursuit of management studies enjoys global popularity and is recognized for its ability to confer a competitive edge across diverse professional domains. Aims: This paper aims to identify differences in the reasons to study the study program Management at the Faculty of Management and Business (FMB) at the University of Presov (UP) considering the different characteristics of the students. Methods: We use the Mann-Whitney U test to test four hypotheses. We consider gender, nationality, form of the study, and level of the study as group characteristics. Sample: The research sample consists of 416 students of the study program Management at the FMB at the UP. Results: Results showed the most differences considering the form of study and nationality. Conclusions: The differences between the analyzed groups were predominantly confirmed through the rationale considering low travel expenses, the recommendation from family, the recommendation from teachers (counselors) from high school, and the modern teaching methods. Implications: Understanding these differences can also help educational institutions in designing targeted recruitment strategies and support services for students.