Effect of protean career attitude on the relationship between psycho-social factors and career choices among medical students in public universities in Malaysia

Protean career attitude (PCA) plays a significant role in career management, yet its mediating role remains underexplored, particularly in Malaysia. Existing studies primarily examine PCA as an independent variable, focusing on relationships with outcomes such as career success, organizational commitment, employability, HRD practices, career mobility, and career strategies. Local research has largely addressed topics like career advancement, career success, job insecurity, and career goals, leaving a gap in understanding PCA’s influence on career-related outcomes. Globally, studies on job-related outcomes, such as career success, work orientation, motivators, and work-life balance, remain limited, especially in the context of flexible career perspectives. Research into the interplay between contextual and individual factors influencing PCA is also insufficient. Studies have not fully examined how variables such as attitudes, time management, and work-life balance interact with PCA to influence career choices. Addressing this gap, this study utilizes social cognitive career theory and life-span, life-space theory to investigate how individual factors contribute to career choices among medical students in public universities. This research focuses on understanding the relationships between attitudes, time management, work-life balance, PCA, and career choices. It seeks to determine the extent of these factors' influence, identify the most significant predictor, and assess PCA’s mediating role. By doing so, the study aims to validate internal and external factors linking PCA with career choices, addressing a critical gap in the career management literature. The target population includes medical students across all academic years in public universities. Using a descriptive and correlational quantitative research design, data were collected through structured questionnaires employing nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales. The data were analyzed using SPSS Version 26, with bootstrapping techniques applied to evaluate PCA’s mediating effects. This study significantly contributes to the understanding of career choices among medical students by identifying reliable predictors and employing robust theoretical frameworks. The findings provide valuable insights into individual decision-making processes and practical guidance for organizational practices, government policies, and theoretical advancements. By developing a comprehensive research framework, the study enhances both academic and practical perspectives in career management, filling an important gap in the understanding of PCA’s role in shaping career outcomes.

Text FPP 2024 31 Declaration form.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (871kB) Text FPP 2024 31 fulltext.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (1MB) Text 125230 fulltext edited.pdf Download (1MB) Official URL or Download Paper: https://ethesis.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/18833

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