Predictive Factors in Student Evasion Control: An Analysis with Structural Equation

The aim of this study is to improve the performance of small schools through the strategic use of information. The proposal consists of a new management model that is innovative and makes it possible to properly manage the resources to diminish students' intention to evade. Design/methodology/approach:The data (N=214) were obtained through the application of a questionnaire sent electronically for 60 days in the second half of 2016. The instrument had four scales of five levelsof agreement concerning their respective latent variables: Difficulty of Disciplines, Preference for Institution, Financial Situation and Intention to Evade. The test of the model was by Structural Equation with Partial Least Square (PLS) and analyzed Reliability, Convergent Validity and Discriminant with bootstrapping of 500 replacements. Findings:The results indicate that the assumptions tested were supported. The Intention to Evade can be explained by the analyzed variables, and Difficulty of Disciplines is the variable that has the greatest predictive power. However, the variable Preference for the Institution presented Negative Correlation. Research/practical implications: The study indicates that the students who participated in the research are unsafe in facing the Difficulties of the Discipline. There are also indications that such students consider work to be more important if they have to choose between working or studying, but when they study at an institution of their own choice, this helps to diminish their intention to evade. These findings suggest that actions related to psychological support should be associated with academic actions, including developing partnerships with companies to help their employees to study. Future investigations could investigate which actions and partnerships are most appropriate. Originality/value:The value of this study is to provide a methodology to managers interested in using Structural Equation statistical models to generate information on how material, financial and symbolic resources should be used to reduce students' intention to evade and help the company achieve its goal.