Internalization of Core Values among Graduating Business Students

by
Angeli N. Sebastian, Ed.D.
JBLFMU-Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines

Abstract

This study determined the extent at which the graduating College of Business students at
JBLFMU-Molo, Inc. were able to internalize the 7 core values, to wit: Integrity, Perseverance,
Loyalty, Excellence, Discipline, Godliness, and Equality, or I-PLEDGE. Specifically, this study
sought answers to the following questions: What is the extent of internalization of the core
values (I-PLEDGE) among the graduating business students at JBLFMU-Molo, when taken as a
whole and when grouped according to gender and degree program, and are there significant
differences in the extent of internalization of the core values (I-PLEDGE) among the graduating
business students at JBLFMU-Molo, when grouped according to gender and degree program?
Core values appear to be an area of commonality versus difference among professionals and
could serve as a focal point for building a positive organizational culture (Longenecker, 2013).
Although the key stakeholders considered different needs and viewed their experiences
differently, value did abound and was in the eye of the beholder (French & Casali, 2014). Core
values were integrated into practice independent of practice setting and varied career paths
(McGinnis, Guenther, & Wainwright, 2016). The core values and beliefs of the organization
according to Sai Manohar and Pandit (2014) often emerge from the founding fathers of the
enterprise. These values and beliefs form the philosophy and ideology of the organization, and
define the purpose, mission, and long-time commitment of the organization. Mean, standard
deviation and t-test were used as statistical tools to determine the extent and the significant
difference, if there is any. Results revealed that when taken as a whole, all the core values were
internalized to a very high extent by the participants. Both the male and the female participants
have internalized integrity, perseverance, loyalty, excellence, discipline, godliness and equality
to a very high extent. No significant difference was noted in the extent to which the core values
of integrity, perseverance, loyalty, excellence, discipline, godliness and equality were
internalized by the male and female participants. A significant difference however was noted in
the core value of perseverance between the BSCA and the BSBA participants.