Agential independence and interdependence in the workplace: preparing students for vocational internships

Abstract

This pilot study interrogates the notion of human agency. The dimensions of agential independence and interdependence and their relationship to the performance of graduates in the workplace are explored. A model representing the latest conceptions around innovation in the SME and enterprise sectors in the business environment is developed. The model is then used in conjunction with the Independent-Interdependent Problem-Solving Scale (IIPSS) to explore an optimum placement strategy for students on the basis of their IIPSS index.