A1 Journal article (refereed)
Where is My Community? : First-Year Experience of Business Students during the Pandemic (2023)

Kantanen, H., Penttinen, L., Rosenius, P., & Ruth, K. (2023). Where is My Community? : First-Year Experience of Business Students during the Pandemic. Nordic Journal of Business, 72(4), 200-217. http://njb.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1-Kantanen-et-al.pdf

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kantanen, Helena; Penttinen, Leena; Rosenius, Päivi; Ruth, Katri

Journal or series: Nordic Journal of Business

ISSN: 2342-9003

eISSN: 2342-9011

Publication year: 2023

Volume: 72

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 200-217

Publisher: Association of Business Schools Finland

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: English

Persistent website address: http://njb.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1-Kantanen-et-al.pdf

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/93031

Abstract

Early engagement with the academic community significantly impacts both educational and career trajectories. This study investigates relatedness, self-efficacy, autonomy, and career orientation within the first year of the 2020 student cohort, whose primary semester was conducted predominantly online due to COVID-19 restrictions. The analysis is based on 120 reflective papers writen by first-semester students. These papers underwent qualitative content analysis using ATLAS.ti. Contrasting these findings with a 2018 cohort study uncovers the pivotal role of a supportive academic community and alumni interactions in motivation and engagement – elements notably lacking in 2020. Despite this absence, students’ motivation remained unaffected, emphasizing the significance of belongingness. Both cohorts encountered academic study skill challenges. Therefore, targeted emphasis on academic skills for first-year students and fostering relatedness among the ‘COVID cohort’ are crucial.

Keywords: studies in an institution of higher education; schools of economics and business administration; students; committing oneself; study motivation; unusual conditions; COVID-19; self-efficacy; autonomy (cognition); communality

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2023

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1