សេវាកម្មការស្រាវជ្រាវ និងនវានុវត្តន៍កាលិកបត្រស្រាវជ្រាវការបោះពុម្ពផ្សាយ

Determinants of Students’ Decision on Finance and Banking Major Selection: The Application of Social Cognitive Career Theory

K T Learning Eng

ACLEDA University of Business, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Sokha Norng

ACLEDA University of Business, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Rattanak Rath

ACLEDA University of Business, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Sing Or Seang

ACLEDA University of Business, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Sreynich Ou

ACLEDA University of Business, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

ISSN: 3078-3771 (Print)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.71215/ars.202654

Keywords: Academic Major, Finance and Banking, Influencing Factors, Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), Decision-making, Cambodia.

Published: 2026-07-31

How to Cite in APA Style: Eng.K., Norng.S., Rath.R., Seang.S., & Ou.S. (2026). Determinants of students’ decision on finance and banking major selection: the application of social cognitive career theory. AUB Research Series, 5, 88–117.

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Abstract

This study investigates the factors influencing undergraduate students’ decisions to select Finance and Banking as their academic major in the Cambodian context. Guided by Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), the research examines the interplay between perceived academic self-efficacy, outcome expectations, social support, and perceived barriers in shaping student interests and final major choice. A quantitative approach was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire to collect primary data from a sample of 371 students at ACLEDA University of Business. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) with IBM SPSS AMOS to test the hypothesized relationships. The results provide statistical support for six of the seven hypotheses. Perceived social support emerged as the most powerful driver of student interest, while both student interest and social support exerted the strongest direct influence on the final choice of major. Outcome expectations and self-efficacy also significantly contributed to students’ decision-making. In contrast, perceived barriers did not significantly influence students' choices, suggesting a high level of resilience among the participants, many of whom were balancing work with their studies. These findings offer valuable implications for educational institutions and policymakers to better align academic programs with students’ aspirations and the evolving demands of Cambodia’s financial sector.

Authors' Biography

K T Learning Eng is currently a senior year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking at ACLEDA University of Business. She is currently interning at the Procurement Unit of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. She is interested in finance and aspires to contribute to the development of Cambodia’s financial sector, which she believes will help strengthen the country’s economy.

Sokha Norng earned PhD in Business Administration in 2022 from Beltei International University, Cambodia. He graduated with an MBA in General Management from Assumption University, Thailand in 2011 and graduated with a Bed in TEFL from IFL in 2004. His field of research falls into business, marketing, leadership, and education technology. He is an Assistant Professor and is currently the Director of the Graduate School & the Chief of the Center for Research & Innovation at ACLEDA University of Business.

Rattanak Rath has a Master of Business Administration in Management from the Royal University of Law and Economics, complemented by a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the National Institute of Management. He holds his current position as Vice President and Chief Academic Affairs at ACLEDA University of Business. His dedication to professional development is further evidenced by his participation in numerous courses in local and international training in management, training, and development. He used to be a branch manager of ACLEDA Bank Plc. before holding his current position at ACLEDA University of Business.

Sing Or Seang holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking from ACLEDA University of Business and currently serves as a Clerk of the Research and Incubation Unit at ACLEDA University of Business. She supports undergraduate thesis processes and research-related activities, including academic coordination and documentation. She completed her undergraduate thesis as part of her academic program and has developed an interest in research. She is originally from Pailin Province, Cambodia. In her free time, she enjoys writing and journaling.

Sreynich Ou earned her first bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking in 2025 from ACLEDA University of Business. She is currently pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in Professional Communication at the Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL), with an expected completion in 2026. She has completed several internships as a reporter and operations assistant in microfinance institutions (MFIs) and ACLEDA Bank, gaining valuable insights into corporate operations and the financial market. She is currently a staff member in the Research and Incubation Unit at ACLEDA University of Business, where she supports thesis students and contributes to various research-related activities. Her responsibilities include conducting article research and managing digital content, such as website updates and audience engagement.

Authorship Disclaimer

The authors are solely responsible for the content of this article. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the journal, its editors, or the publisher.

AI Use Declaration

The authors declare that artificial intelligence (AI) tools were used only to assist in language editing, grammar improvement, and clarity of writing. All research design, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of results were conducted by the authors. The authors take full responsibility for the originality and integrity of the content presented in this study.