Post-pandemic job market: an analysis of factors influencing university students’ willingness for flexible employment based on SEM-ANN-fsQCA
Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped global work patterns, making flexible employment a critical issue. This study investigates how self-determination efficacy influences university students’ willingness to pursue flexible jobs in China. Using data from 1270 survey responses, we applied Parti...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer Nature
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05117-y |
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| Summary: | Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped global work patterns, making flexible employment a critical issue. This study investigates how self-determination efficacy influences university students’ willingness to pursue flexible jobs in China. Using data from 1270 survey responses, we applied Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), and Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). The results show that self-determination efficacy positively affects students’ willingness to pursue flexible employment directly and indirectly through mediating factors like work-life balance, job satisfaction, and perceived self-development. The ANN model reveals complex nonlinear relationships, indicating that the impact of self-determination efficacy on employment intention is not linear. Furthermore, fsQCA identifies multiple pathways under different conditions, highlighting the importance of self-determination efficacy in specific contexts. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and higher education institutions on promoting flexible employment among students. |
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| ISSN: | 2662-9992 |