Does proactive disposition matter more for self-efficacy beliefs among students pursuing non-traditional occupations?

Purpose Societal convictions continue to lead to unequal gender distribution in the labour force. Drawing upon trait activation and social cognitive theories, this study aims to promote the knowledge regarding the possible contribution of proactive disposition (proactivity) to self-efficacy beliefs among students pursuing gender non-traditional occupations. It firstly, aims to examine the possible activating role of situation of pursuing a gender non-traditional occupation in the relationship between proactivity and occupational self-efficacy (OSE). Secondly, it aims to examine when this situation of pursuing a gender non-traditional occupation activates the relationship between proactivity and academic self-efficacy (ASE) by considering studies’ content domains. In addition, it inquires when ASE mediates the relationship between proactivity and OSE. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected by validated scales in a college offering IS (a male-dominated occupation) and nursing (a female-dominated occupation) programmes. A total of 149 IS and nursing students responded to the research questionnaire. The authors tested the research model and hypotheses by conducting moderated mediation analysis with SPSS PROCESS. Findings In nursing studies, the relationship between proactivity and OSE was stronger among men than women. However, in IS studies, the opposite pattern was observed. Secondly, the relationship between proactivity and ASE was stronger among women than men in IS studies. Furthermore, an indirect relationship between proactivity and OSE via ASE was found among women in IS studies but among men. Originality/value This study highlights the importance of proactivity for the self-efficacy beliefs of students pursuing these career paths.