Understanding students' perceptions of dimensions of engineering culture in ecuador

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore how engineering students perceive different dimensions associated with culture. We are using Hofstede's theory of dimensions of national cultures to measure culture in different patterns in the student's perceptions of engineering. Data were collected from 147 students during the Fall semester 2019. The students are from a university in Ecuador. The survey was translated into Spanish and was reviewed by several native Spanish speakers. We piloted the survey with several students. The survey was administered online. Results provide preliminary information on how students perceive aspects of culture like individualism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity. We discuss the relationship of these constructs with aspects of the engineering program.