Factors Influencing the Selection of Business Studies: A Comparative Study of Indian Students at an Indian University and Chinese Students at a Thai University

Abstract

This research is an attempt to find out what is in the mind of today’s business students when they choose business studies. Is their only goal to make money? Indian students at Mahatma Gandhi University Kerala, India and Chinese students at Assumption University, Thailand are the respondents in this study. The research examines the relationship between four independent variables, finance, family and friends, personal interest and job opportunity and career satisfaction, and one dependant variable, the selection of business studies at the Bachelor level. All four influencing factors were found to have an impact on the selection of BBA at a low to medium correlation. The findings also indicate that both Indian and Chinese students are very much influenced by these four factors, though there are small variances in the level of influence, due to differences in the demographics. Students embarking in business studies are for the most part directly and indirectly motivated by money. This mindset needs to be addressed through business ethics teachings and practices at business school. This is a critical role for business schools to assume.