Mentoring programs have been proposed to reduce dropout and increase academic performance. We analyzed the effect of peer mentoring on university dropout and academic performance in the context of Spain. We applied a quasi-experimental posttest-only control group design with 3,774 students (mentees, n = 1,887; control, n = 1,887). Mentees had participated in a peer mentoring program. We apply the student’s t-test, Cohen’s d, phi statistic, and chi-square statistic. Mentees exhibited lower dropout than controls and showed higher academic performance regardless of the area of knowledge. Results support the implementation of mentoring programs in Spanish universities with the goal of reducing student dropout and increasing academic performance. The research provides empirical evidence for theory building in higher education studies, developmental relationships, and integration programs. Se ha propuesto la aplicación de programas de mentoría para reducir la deserción universitaria y aumentar el rendimiento académico. En el artículo analizamos el efecto de la mentoría entre pares sobre el abandono universitario y el rendimiento académico en España. Aplicamos un diseño de grupo de control cuasiexperimental con medida post en una muestra de 3.774 estudiantes (mentorados, n = 1,887; control, n = 1,887). Los mentorados habían participado en un programa de mentoría entre pares. Aplicamos la prueba t de Student, la d de Cohen, el estadístico phi y el chi-cuadrado. Los mentorados presentaban un menor abandono que los controles y un mayor rendimiento académico independientemente del área de conocimiento. Los resultados avalan la implementación de programas de mentoría en las universidades españolas con el objetivo de reducir el abandono universitario y aumentar el rendimiento académico. La investigación proporciona evidencia empírica para la elaboración de teorías en estudios de educación superior, relaciones de desarrollo y programas de integración.

Research on university education and its role in developing personality traits essential to achieving success in entrepreneurship is required because of the significance of entrepreneurship for advancements in the economic, social, technological, and environmental spheres. Additionally, the value of a university education in shaping an individual’s personality, and the necessity of emphasizing entrepreneurship in higher education for students to achieve real success, should be a priority in our society. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to explore how university education influences personality traits that are key to success in entrepreneurship in Spain. To achieve this objective, a qualitative methodology based on the study of 11 cases has been adopted. The results allow us to conclude that university education has a decisive influence on the development of the personality traits that integrally determine entrepreneurial success as the culmination of the final stage of the maturation process; however, a university education is not fundamental to the development of these traits. Nevertheless, entrepreneurs emphasized that the personality traits analyzed need to be reinforced explicitly in university education since they effectively positively impact the success of entrepreneurial initiatives.

Understanding vocational learning and transfer is vital to European citizens. We need to understand how transfer works, which factors influence it, and how these factors affect employee behaviour. Research in online training specific to Southern Europe is needed to move the field forward. The Unified Model of Motivation for Training Transfer (MTT) was proposed to understand behaviour change after training. It conceives three phases: (1) forming transfer intentions, (2) actualizing implementation intentions for transfer, and (3) strengthening transfer commitment. We analysed initial transfer intention and transfer following online training in three Spanish organisations. We used an ex post facto prospective design with one group (n = 204). We applied the online version of the Initial Transfer Intention questionnaire (ITI) three days before the training, and the Transfer Questionnaire (TrQ) three to four months after the training. Training consisted of 22 online courses offered by the three participating organisations. A cluster analysis and post hoc analysis were performed. We identified three groups (k = 3), indicating that there were significant differences in the means between employees with low and high intention to transfer. Results showed a greater difference in the factor profile between participants with LowPT and HighPT. We identified common characteristics among people with low levels of transfer; this information can help understand what type of employee will transfer less and provide cues on how to prevent this from happening in future training activities. Limitations and recommendations for research and practice are discussed.

El artículo recoge los resultados de la evaluación de la transferencia de la formación en la Administración General del Estado con el fin de conocer los factores que en mayor medida influyen en que se produzca.Se analizaron las respuestas de 1.475 participantes en 69 cursos desarrollados por el INAP (Instituto Nacional de la Administración Pública) durante el primer semestre de 2016. Se evaluó la transferencia directa con el Cuestionario de Eficacia de la Formación (CdE; Pineda, Quesada y Ciraso 2011) y la indirecta con el cuestionario de Factores de Eficacia de la Transferencia (FET; Pineda, Quesada y Ciraso, 2013).Los resultados muestran que los factores de los participantes, del lugar de trabajo, la orientación a las necesidades del puesto y la generación de una red profesional tienen una relación positiva con la transferencia. Sin embargo la duración de la formación, el número de participantes y el número de profesores no presentan relación con la transferencia. El tiempo que el participante tarda en aplicar lo aprendido se relaciona inversamente con la transferencia.La dimensión más relevante de cara a predecir la transferencia es la orientación a las necesidades del puesto.

Peer mentoring programs in higher education aim to facilitate student integration and enhance both retention and academic performance. This study investigated the effectiveness of a peer mentoring program at a Spanish university over five academic years (2018-19-2022-23), encompassing the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a quasi-experimental posttest-only control group design, we analyzed data from 4962 students (mentees: n = 2481; controls: n = 2481). Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, Cohen's d, phi coefficient, chi-square tests, and two-way ANOVA. Results demonstrated significantly lower dropout rates and higher academic performance among mentees compared to controls across all study years. These positive effects were observed inconsistently across most of the studied student characteristics, including gender, study choice order, region of origin, and field of study. Furthermore, our findings supported the mediating role of academic performance in the relationship between peer mentoring and dropout. This research provides valuable empirical evidence that supports the theoretical frameworks on peer mentoring, student development, and successful integration within the context of higher education, particularly during times of crisis.