FACTORS INFLUENCING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AMONG BUSINESS MANAGEMENT STUDENTS OF PUBLIC HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS (PHLIs)

Norlia Mat Norwani

Abstract

PHLIs provide education that will maximize individual potential especially in disseminating knowledge that will enable graduates to perform their job effectively. However, not much research that studies factors influencing academic achievement of Business Management students especially in Malaysian context have been undertaken. This research can provide a perspective on how to look into academic and social contexts and the effect of individual differences towards students academic aspect. Astin’s Input-Environment-Output (I-E-O) model is adapted to explain relationships between academic achievement and students input and learning environments. The model allows analysis of of each component’s contribution on academic achievement which is based on students’ cummulative grade point average (CGPA) on a four point scale. Involvement theory which posits that students development is related to the quantity and quality of their involvement in various academic and social activities are explored in the research. Inferential statistics involve in the analyses are t-test, ANOVA and step-by-step multiple regression. Overall academic achievement of the students is Second Class Lower. Regression analyses for all students and for high and low achievers show that input factors are the major contributor for academic achievement. Academic achievement also show significant differences when compared based on PHLIs, gender, race and students’ highest academic qualification before starting the program. Finally, the researcher highlights implication of the findings towards students, academicians, PHLIs administrators and Higher Education Ministry.

Introduction

PHLI carries the responsibility of producing human