Abstract/Summary

This research investigates the influences on completion for participants on NVQ programmes in management at a University Business School. The research explores the effect of individual characteristics such as personal competencies, learning style and goal orientation of participants and examines the moderating effect of external influences such as employer support, workload. support from outside work, the perception of NVQs and flexibility of submission dates for portfolio units. Prior research on competencies and student attrition rates is reviewed and an initial set of influences on completion identified from the theory. These influences and the research process are tested in an interview programme with 12 participants and a model of influences is developed. The main research covers two groups of NVQ participants representing those who successfully completed the programme and those who made no significant progress. The results are then compared with a third group of successful Diploma in Management Studies (DMS) students. Data were collected using three instruments, the Saville & Holdsworth Inventory of Management Competencies, the Honey and Mumford Leaming Styles Questionnaire and a purpose designed questionnaire to assess external influences. Successful NVQ participants were found to score more highly than those who did not make significant progress on the personal competencies of Leadership, Written Communication and Interpersonal Sensitivity. They also felt that they received more support from their line manager, the course group and from home. Their objectives in taking the programme were more orientated to improving work performance and they generally rated their objectives more strongly. Increased flexibility of submission dates for portfolio units reduced the chances of completion. When compared with a group of successful DMS students, successful NVQ participants were again found to score more highly on the competency of Leadership. The research leads to recommendations for both the design of NVQ programmes in management and for the counselling and support of students in order to improve completion rates.