@ARTICLE{26583223_375263406_2020, author = {Dominika Ochnik and Ana ArzenĊĦek}, keywords = {, vocational interests, students, management, gender, nationality, culture, Vocational Potential Inventory, social norms, leadership interest, technical interest, PolandSlovenia}, title = {Vocational Interests among Polish and Slovenian Students of Management}, journal = {Psychology. Journal of Higher School of Economics}, year = {2020}, volume = {17}, number = {2}, pages = {328-344}, url = {https://psy-journal.hse.ru/en/2020-17-2/375263406.html}, publisher = {}, abstract = {As vocational interests are a stronger predictor of future vocational success than personality or IQ, it is important to understand the vocational interests of upcoming leaders. In this scientific paper we aimed at expanding the current understanding regarding the vocational interests variability across cultures and gender by analysing gender and nationality based differences among Polish and Slovenian samples. 226 undergraduate students enrolled at the Faculty of Management in Poland and in Slovenia took part in the study. The Vocational Potential Inventory was applied in the study. The gender differences were more evident in the Polish group, with Polish women having stronger pro-social interests compared to Polish men, while Polish men showed stronger interests in leadership. Within the Slovenian sample, no statistically significant differences in vocational interests emerged. Female students in general had higher pro-social and lower technical interests. Therefore, the gender effect reflected the stereotypical gender role, women - people orientated and men - things orientated. Concerning the nationality effect, there were three clusters revealed, showing differentiation with regard to nationality. The clusters consisted of a Slovenian female group, a Polish female group and a male group. This means that cultural differences are stronger in the female group compared to the male group. Clustering revealed the male group having the strongest technical interests and Polish women the weakest. Implications of results are provided.}, annote = {As vocational interests are a stronger predictor of future vocational success than personality or IQ, it is important to understand the vocational interests of upcoming leaders. In this scientific paper we aimed at expanding the current understanding regarding the vocational interests variability across cultures and gender by analysing gender and nationality based differences among Polish and Slovenian samples. 226 undergraduate students enrolled at the Faculty of Management in Poland and in Slovenia took part in the study. The Vocational Potential Inventory was applied in the study. The gender differences were more evident in the Polish group, with Polish women having stronger pro-social interests compared to Polish men, while Polish men showed stronger interests in leadership. Within the Slovenian sample, no statistically significant differences in vocational interests emerged. Female students in general had higher pro-social and lower technical interests. Therefore, the gender effect reflected the stereotypical gender role, women - people orientated and men - things orientated. Concerning the nationality effect, there were three clusters revealed, showing differentiation with regard to nationality. The clusters consisted of a Slovenian female group, a Polish female group and a male group. This means that cultural differences are stronger in the female group compared to the male group. Clustering revealed the male group having the strongest technical interests and Polish women the weakest. Implications of results are provided.} }