Relevant factors in the decision to desert of engineering students in the context of emerging economies
IntroductionEarly dropout from engineering programs is a major concern for higher education institutions (HEIs) in emerging economies. Understanding the factors that influence students’ decisions to abandon their studies is essential for designing effective retention strategies.MethodsThis study use...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Education |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1582586/full |
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| author | Ezequiel Martínez Rojas Paula Andrea Rodríguez-Correa Erica Agudelo-Ceballos Alejandro Valencia-Arias Gustavo Adolfo Moreno López Gustavo Sánchez Santos Jesus Alberto Jiménez García Manuel Humberto Vásquez Coronado |
| author_facet | Ezequiel Martínez Rojas Paula Andrea Rodríguez-Correa Erica Agudelo-Ceballos Alejandro Valencia-Arias Gustavo Adolfo Moreno López Gustavo Sánchez Santos Jesus Alberto Jiménez García Manuel Humberto Vásquez Coronado |
| author_sort | Ezequiel Martínez Rojas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionEarly dropout from engineering programs is a major concern for higher education institutions (HEIs) in emerging economies. Understanding the factors that influence students’ decisions to abandon their studies is essential for designing effective retention strategies.MethodsThis study uses a quantitative approach through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), based on the Spady model. A survey was conducted with 190 engineering students from a private university in Medellín, Colombia.ResultsThe analysis revealed that academic and emotional support significantly influence students’ decisions to continue their studies. Institutional commitment and structured support mechanisms provided by HEIs emerged as critical determinants of student retention.DiscussionThe findings underscore the importance of implementing university welfare strategies aimed at strengthening students’ academic and emotional well-being. These strategies serve as key levers to reduce dropout rates and reinforce the role of HEIs in supporting engineering students throughout their educational trajectory. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c5e1fb57fc85475386df7525a6733e9c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2504-284X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-c5e1fb57fc85475386df7525a6733e9c2025-08-20T03:59:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Education2504-284X2025-08-011010.3389/feduc.2025.15825861582586Relevant factors in the decision to desert of engineering students in the context of emerging economiesEzequiel Martínez Rojas0Paula Andrea Rodríguez-Correa1Erica Agudelo-Ceballos2Alejandro Valencia-Arias3Gustavo Adolfo Moreno López4Gustavo Sánchez Santos5Jesus Alberto Jiménez García6Manuel Humberto Vásquez Coronado7Vicerrectoría de Investigación e Innovación, Universidad Arturo Prat, Iquique, ChileFacultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Medellín, ColombiaDepartamento de Ciencias Administrativas, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Medellín, ColombiaEscuela de Ingeniería Industrial, Universidad Señor de Sipán, Chiclayo, PeruRectoría, Institución Universitaria Marco Fidel Suárez, Bello, ColombiaInstituto de Investigación y Estudios de la Mujer, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Santiago de Surco, PeruDirección de Planificación y Desarrollo Institucional, Universidad Señor de Sipán, Lambayeque, PeruFacultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad Señor de Sipán, Chiclayo, PeruIntroductionEarly dropout from engineering programs is a major concern for higher education institutions (HEIs) in emerging economies. Understanding the factors that influence students’ decisions to abandon their studies is essential for designing effective retention strategies.MethodsThis study uses a quantitative approach through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), based on the Spady model. A survey was conducted with 190 engineering students from a private university in Medellín, Colombia.ResultsThe analysis revealed that academic and emotional support significantly influence students’ decisions to continue their studies. Institutional commitment and structured support mechanisms provided by HEIs emerged as critical determinants of student retention.DiscussionThe findings underscore the importance of implementing university welfare strategies aimed at strengthening students’ academic and emotional well-being. These strategies serve as key levers to reduce dropout rates and reinforce the role of HEIs in supporting engineering students throughout their educational trajectory.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1582586/fullstudent dropoutdropoutengineering studentsemerging economySpady model |
| spellingShingle | Ezequiel Martínez Rojas Paula Andrea Rodríguez-Correa Erica Agudelo-Ceballos Alejandro Valencia-Arias Gustavo Adolfo Moreno López Gustavo Sánchez Santos Jesus Alberto Jiménez García Manuel Humberto Vásquez Coronado Relevant factors in the decision to desert of engineering students in the context of emerging economies Frontiers in Education student dropout dropout engineering students emerging economy Spady model |
| title | Relevant factors in the decision to desert of engineering students in the context of emerging economies |
| title_full | Relevant factors in the decision to desert of engineering students in the context of emerging economies |
| title_fullStr | Relevant factors in the decision to desert of engineering students in the context of emerging economies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Relevant factors in the decision to desert of engineering students in the context of emerging economies |
| title_short | Relevant factors in the decision to desert of engineering students in the context of emerging economies |
| title_sort | relevant factors in the decision to desert of engineering students in the context of emerging economies |
| topic | student dropout dropout engineering students emerging economy Spady model |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1582586/full |
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