--- Page 1 --- Factors influencing Vietnamese students’ career choices in international business: A qualitative study of Vietnamese students and graduates from the University of Lincoln (Research body) Minh Hoang Nguyen (27100194) Facilitated by Dr Erin Peak --- Page 2 --- Submitted in partial fulfilment of MSc International Business Lincoln International Business School University of Lincoln 27th September 2024 words Declaration I can confirm that this dissertation is solely my own work and has not been included in any other dissertations or papers submitted to the University of Lincoln or any other institutions for obtaining a Master of Science degree in International Business or any other courses. I have carefully submitted the ‘Lincoln Ethical Approval System’ (LEAS) application and obtained approval from both my facilitator and the second marker prior to commencing any research activities. This demonstrates my adherence to the ethical principles set forth by the university and my accountability for the utilisation of any primary data involving human subjects. In addition, I have clearly stated the potential risks associated with this study for both the participants and the student, prioritising safety. Furthermore, I have fulfilled my responsibilities by obtaining eConsent from participants, ensuring they are informed about their rights. Signed: Minh Hoang Nguyen. Date: 27th September 2024. --- Page 3 --- Acknowledgements First and foremost, I want to sincerely thank my facilitator, Dr. Erin Peak, for her amazing assistance. Her in-depth expertise and insightful critique inspired me to improve my work and sharpen my abilities. Despite her busy schedule, she always found time to mentor me and go over my work when I needed it. Her wealth of experience, patience, and support were crucial to my achievement throughout this challenging but worthwhile dissertation process. To all the lecturers and professors at the University of Lincoln, especially those at the Lincoln International Business School, I would want to express my thanks once again. I am grateful for the lectures that Dr. SunnyDee Horton gave the International Business module group on ‘People and Global Organisations’ and ‘Comparative Human Resources Management’. These lectures established the foundation of my theoretical understanding of this study. I also want to express my gratitude to Dr. Laura McQuade, one of my instructors on research technique, for giving me the analytical abilities and information I needed to finish my study successfully. Furthermore, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who, in spite of their busy schedules, took part in my interviews. I based my research on their observations. Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my family for their support and love throughout the years. Their belief in my abilities and support throughout this difficult journey enabled me to maintain a positive outlook and focus. They have my gratitude for this accomplishment. --- Page 4 --- Abstract Contents --- Page 5 --- List of Figures List of Tables --- Page 6 --- CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1. Introduction This study aims to look at factors influencing Vietnamese students’ and graduates’ choices regarding their international business careers following University of Lincoln graduation. This would help to clarify how various factors have affected the job decisions of Vietnamese graduates. This chapter provides a summary of the studies together with the background information, the justification for the research, the goals, the used techniques, and a dissertation structure outline. 1.2. Background context In today’s ever more competitive global employment market, the choices individuals make about their careers have become a matter of great concern. This is because each decision can have a significant impact on everyone’s lives and futures. When it comes to students and graduates, the issue becomes more practical as both groups are during transitioning from schools or universities to the labour market. Considering this perspective, several studies have been undertaken throughout the 20th and 21st century to explore factors that might affect the career choices of students and graduates (Swinhoe, 1967; Dick and Rallis, 1991; Kazi and Akhlaq, 2017, etc.). By applying relevant theories and frameworks, these studies have been able to identify several key factors affecting students’ vocational choices as well as assess how influential each factor is on a general scale. However, in order to validate the rightfulness of these findings, it is essential that researchers apply them to a specific group of objectives, i.e., individuals with the same nationalities or individuals with the same educational environment. Within the case of Vietnamese students, this is one of the fast-rising group of international students in the world in recent years. In 2023, it is estimated that there are around 200,000 Vietnamese students studied abroad (VietnamPlus, 2023). However, only approximately 8,000 students chose to study in the UK (EU Immi, 2024), accounting for a modest proportion of the number of Vietnamese students studying abroad. These figures indicate that the UK is comparatively less appealing to Vietnamese students in comparison to other nations. Therefore, to attract more Vietnamese students, English universities must understand their preferences and needs, including their post-graduation career choices. However, despite the importance of this matter, there is a noticeable lack of research specifically examining Vietnamese students’ career decisions after studying in the UK, creating a gap in the literature that requires further investigation. Regarding international business, this has been a topic of academic inquiry since the beginning of the 20th century, mostly focusing on commerce and inter-relations between companies from different countries (Grosse and Behrman, 1992). Meanwhile, the scope of international business has expanded to various fields in the 21st century. International business employment now involves roles that engage with global markets, manage cross-border transactions, and navigate the complexities of international trade and investment (Shenkar et al., 2021). All Business Schools (2024) states that international business career paths encompass a wide range of opportunities, including as positions in international marketing, global supply chain and procurement, overseas sales, international human resource management, and consulting. Considering the rapid growth of Vietnamese students studying abroad and the broadening scope of international business careers, it becomes crucial to explore the factors influencing Vietnamese students’ career choices in international business after graduation from an UK prestigious institution like University of Lincoln. Understanding these factors can provide valuable insights for UK educational institutions and policymakers to better support these students in their career journeys, which in turn will help attract more Vietnamese students choosing the UK as an educational destination. 1.3. Research rationale This qualitative study aims to analyse and evaluate factors affecting Vietnamese students’ post-graduation employment decisions in international business. By applying relevant theories and collecting practical data, it examines how several factors shaped their career goals and choices of action. Understanding these influences will enable academic institutions to better grasp the needs and preferences of Vietnamese students for orientating their future professions. Furthermore, this knowledge could be a road map for multinational corporations developing effective hiring strategies for this group of overseas students as well as for educational institutions building a more friendly environment fit for Vietnamese students. 1.4. Aims and objectives of the research This research aims to achieve 02 objectives, including: (1) to identify and analyse the primary factors influencing the career choices of Vietnamese students in international business after graduating from University of Lincoln; (2) to assess how Vietnamese students view factors affecting their career choice in international business similarly or differently from each other. In order to achieve these objectives, the research tries to answer two following research questions: RQ1: What are the key factors influencing the career choices of Vietnamese students in international business after graduating from University of Lincoln? RQ2: How are factors affecting career choices similar and different among Vietnamese students? 1.5. Research method This qualitative research is carried out, using a deductive and explanatory approach. This choice is in line with the features of qualitative research, which are useful for investigating the in-depth viewpoints of Vietnamese students on the problems influencing their career choices (Cypress, 2017). By using semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions, the researcher also gathers primary data on how Vietnamese students and graduates assess factors influencing their career choices. This allows for the creation of ‘thick descriptions’ (personal narratives) which explain how each interviewee has different views towards their career aspirations and factors influencing their choice of job in international business after graduating (Cypress, 2017). The gathered responses are then examined for shared and contrasted themes. In terms of credibility, this method has a significant advantage since it allows researchers delve deeper into the subject matter, particularly, on the viewpoints of every interviewee on their career choice in the field of international business post-graduation (Adams, 2015). The main disadvantage of this method is the fact that it is only feasible with a relatively small sample size. This also implies that the data may have limited applicability, particularly when compared to quantitative method. However, such drawbacks can be compensated by the richness of an open-ended discussion that can offer verifiable hypotheses and a framework for future investigation (Hansen and Swiderska, 2023).
INTRODUCTION
Introduction
This study aims to identify factors influencing Vietnamese students' and graduates' career choices in international business after graduating from the University of Lincoln It seeks to understand how various aspects impact job decisions made by Vietnamese graduates The research provides a comprehensive review of relevant studies, establishes a research rationale, defines research objectives, outlines methodological approaches, and proposes a dissertation structure that guides the exploration of these factors.
Background context
Career choices hold significant importance in today's competitive job market, impacting individuals' lives and futures Research has explored factors influencing these choices, with studies focusing on students and graduates transitioning into the workforce (Swinhoe, 1967; Dick and Rallis, 1991; Kazi and Akhlaq, 2017) To ensure the validity of findings, researchers should apply them to specific groups with shared nationality or educational context.
Within the case of Vietnamese students, this is one of the fast-rising group of international students in the world in recent years In 2023, it is estimated that there are around 200,000 Vietnamese students studied abroad (VietnamPlus, 2023) However, only approximately 8,000 students chose to study in the UK (EU Immi, 2024), accounting for a modest proportion of the number of Vietnamese students studying abroad These figures indicate that the UK is comparatively less appealing to Vietnamese students in comparison to other nations Therefore, to attract more Vietnamese students, English universities must understand their preferences and needs, including their post-graduation career choices However, despite the importance of this matter, there is a noticeable lack of research specifically examining Vietnamese students’ career decisions after studying in the UK, creating a gap in the literature that requires further investigation.
Regarding international business, this has been a topic of academic inquiry since the beginning of the 20 th century, mostly focusing on commerce and inter-relations between companies from different countries (Grosse and Behrman, 1992) Meanwhile, the scope of international business has expanded to various fields in the 21 st century International business employment now involves roles that engage with global markets, manage cross-border transactions, and navigate the complexities of international trade and investment (Shenkar et al., 2021) All Business Schools (2024) states that international business career paths encompass a wide range of opportunities, including as positions in international marketing, global supply chain and procurement, overseas sales, international human resource management, and consulting.
Considering the rapid growth of Vietnamese students studying abroad and the broadening scope of international business careers, it becomes crucial to explore the factors influencingVietnamese students’ career choices in international business after graduation from an UK prestigious institution like University of Lincoln Understanding these factors can provide valuable insights for UK educational institutions and policymakers to better support these students in their career journeys, which in turn will help attract more Vietnamese students choosing the UK as an educational destination.
Research rationale
This qualitative study investigates factors influencing Vietnamese students' post-graduation employment decisions in international business Utilizing relevant theories and practical data, it explores how these factors shape their career goals and choices The study aims to assist academic institutions in understanding the needs of Vietnamese students, enabling them to better guide their career paths Additionally, this knowledge can aid multinational corporations in developing effective hiring strategies for Vietnamese students and educational institutions in creating a supportive environment that meets their specific needs.
Aims and objectives of the research
This research aims to achieve 02 objectives, including: (1) to identify and analyse the primary factors influencing the career choices of Vietnamese students in international business after graduating from University of Lincoln; (2) to assess how Vietnamese students view factors affecting their career choice in international business similarly or differently from each other In order to achieve these objectives, the research tries to answer two following research questions:
RQ1: What are the key factors influencing the career choices of Vietnamese students in international business after graduating from University of Lincoln?
RQ2: How are factors affecting career choices similar and different among Vietnamese students?
Research method
This qualitative research is carried out, using a deductive and explanatory approach This choice is in line with the features of qualitative research, which are useful for investigating the in-depth viewpoints of Vietnamese students on the problems influencing their career choices (Cypress, 2017) By using semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions, the researcher also gathers primary data on how Vietnamese students and graduates assess factors influencing their career choices This allows for the creation of ‘thick descriptions’ (personal narratives) which explain how each interviewee has different views towards their career aspirations and factors influencing their choice of job in international business after graduating (Cypress, 2017) The gathered responses are then examined for shared and contrasted themes
In terms of credibility, this method has a significant advantage since it allows researchers delve deeper into the subject matter, particularly, on the viewpoints of every interviewee on their career choice in the field of international business post-graduation (Adams, 2015) The main disadvantage of this method is the fact that it is only feasible with a relatively small sample size.This also implies that the data may have limited applicability, particularly when compared to quantitative method However, such drawbacks can be compensated by the richness of an open- ended discussion that can offer verifiable hypotheses and a framework for future investigation(Hansen and Swiderska, 2023)
Furthermore, the researcher also employs secondary data procured from academic literature and journals to bolster study discoveries The research approach used in this study is thematic analysis, which provides a more formal framework for assessing consumer responses and drawing conclusions and meaning from interviews by reviewing the corpus of literature on career choices.
Dissertation structure
This study consists of a total of five chapters The first chapter presents an overview of the background, reasoning, goals, objectives, and overall research methodology The second chapter consists of an extensive literature review that integrates past studies’ findings on career choices.This chapter also presents the selection and justification of one academic theory relating to career choice that will be used to compare with the data collected in subsequent chapters In the third chapter, we delve into the study methodology The philosophy of the research is explored, along with the approach, design, strategy, time horizon, data collection and analysis, consciousness and positioning, as well as ethical considerations In the fourth chapter, the study delves into the analysis of the data that has been collected, closely examining its correlation with the existing hypotheses The fifth chapter ends by stressing the accomplishment of the first goals and objectives of the research Emphasising a scholarly approach, it highlights its theoretical contributions and applications for academia and multinational companies The limits of the study are discussed in this last chapter together with careful recommendations for further studies.