A Causal Relationship Model of Students’ Participatory Behavior towards University Social Responsibility

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine a causal relationship model of the factors affecting participatory behavior towards university social responsibility among 972 students in a university in Thailand. The sample group was selected by simple random sampling. The instrument used a six-point Likert-type scale. The reliability coefficient Cronbach’s alpha value ranged from .95 to .97. Data were analyzed using LISREL. The results showed that the model fits the empirical data, considering goodness of fit measures, namely Chi-square = 422.66 (df = 165), p-value = 0.00, (χ2/df) = 2.56, CFI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.04, and SRMR = 0.04. The perception of campus image was found to be the highest direct predictor of participatory behavior towards university social responsibility (β = .72); all causal variables accounted for sixty percent of the variance of participatory behavior towards university social responsibility. The perception of university support was found to be the highest direct predictor of the perception of campus image (β = .45); all causal variables accounted for sixty two percent of the variance of the perception of campus image. The findings are considered to be useful in terms of planning information to improve campus image, and university support for raising awareness and promoting socially responsible behaviors among the new generation so as to nurture high quality human capital in society, which is a vital force for sustainable development in a nation.