The Effect of Fragile Self-Esteem on Course Completion in Business Studies

Abstract

Purpose: Successful completion of higher education is a significant factor of both individual and national development. Self-esteem has been neglected in previous empirical research as a constraint in course completion. We investigate this factor as a basis to develop suitable interventions. Method: We use secondary, administrative data of course completion from fully accredited Bachelor- and Master-courses at an Austrian higher education institution. Findings: Self-Esteem, using measures of social comparison and gender as proxies, lead to reductions of successful completion of higher education. Practical implications: National and educational institutions aiming at supporting students should focus on emotional support programs alongside professional support programs. Value: We offer tentative first evidence of a novel theory on the impact of fragile self-esteem on intertemporal choices, applied to the context of higher education. Future research: An empirical analysis of higher education performance based on a model unifying both ability and self-esteem constraints would provide an ambitious, but interesting avenue for further research. JEL Сlassіfіcatіon: A20, D01, D15

Keywords

• course completion
• fragile self-esteem
• social comparison
• gender