The impact of perceived barriers to employment on PCO job seekers' career self-efficacy and job readiness behaviors on job readiness behaviors

This study investigates how perceived employment barriers among Professional Convention Organizers(PCOs) impact their career decision-making self-efficacy and job preparation behaviors. Despite the increasing specialization and professionalization of the workforce in the MICE sector, there remains a notable mismatch between job seekers' skills and industry expectations. To address this gap, the study identifies and categorizes perceived employment barriers into three dimensions: workplace environment, competency deficiency, and informational insufficiency. These categories were established as independent variables to examine their influence on career decision-making self-efficacy and job preparation behaviors. The survey was distributed to 130 individuals seeking employment in the PCO field; 120 questionnaires were returned, and 98 valid questionnaires were used for analysis. The findings of this study are significant as they reveal that both the workplace environment and informational insufficiency have a substantial impact on career decision-making self-efficacy. Moreover, all three dimensions significantly influence job preparation behaviors. The study also found a significant correlation between career decision-making self-efficacy and job preparation behavior. Additionally, informational insufficiency was identified as a partial mediator in the relationship between career decision-making self-efficacy and job preparation behaviors. Given these results, the study discusses both theoretical and practical implications. These implications are not just informative, but also actionable, providing valuable insights for students and professionals interested in the PCO profession. They can use these insights to enhance their employability within the MICE industry.