Raising Course Efficacy to Improve Management Student Learning: Three Field Experiments

Abstract

“Means efficacy” complements self-efficacy. It refers to one’s belief in the usefulness of external resources or tools that may be useful for performance. Research has confirmed the hypothesis that enhancing means efficacy boosts performance. Course efficacy is students’ belief in the usefulness of a course. Two pilot studies and three field experiments tested the means efficacy-performance hypothesis casting university courses as the means. The manipulation check validated the experimental treatment in only one pilot and there was no evidence that the treatment contributed to performance. Explanations of these results and ideas for future research are suggested.