VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
GRADUATE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

NGUYEN THI HIEN

ORIENTATION ON OCCUPATIONAL VALUE OF
TODAY PEOPLE’S PUBLIC SECURITY
UNDERGRADUATES

SUMMARY ON SOCIALOGY DOCTORAL THESIS

HANOI – 2016


VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
GRADUATE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

This thesis is completed at
Graduate Academy of Social Sciences
Supervisor: Assoc. Pr. Dr. Dang Nguyen Anh

Critic 1: Assoc. Pr. Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa
Critic 2: Assoc. Pr. Dr. Tran Thi Minh Ngoc
Critic 3: Assoc. Pr. Dr. Vu Hao Quang

The thesis would be defended before the Academy – Level
Thesis Judges at (place) ……………………………………….
At (time).........hour.......minute, on date.....month........year....

The thesis is available for reference in the library.


Curriculum for People's Security Academy undergraduates is
highly unique compared to other universities. As a part of their
program, future security officers are propagandized and educated
with politics, ideology and politic virtues, in addition to fundamental
and specialized knowledge. Students are expected to imbue with the
lofty spirit and responsibility of a public security soldier of the
people, who can take any mission in anywhere assigned upon leaving
the academy. Nevertheless, against the backdrop of global
integration, rapid evolution of socio-economy and technology, robust
innovation of domestic as well as world-wide education and
complicated changes in the mission of national defence and social
order security, education and training of the public security sector in
general and People's Security Academy in particular appear in
numerous shortcomings. It is evidently shown that many students
desire to further pursuit the learnt major in work in a good working
environment with fine chance of promotion and they show no less
aspiration to take up duties in harsh environment and mission to
anywhere designate. Meanwhile, some others so over-incline to take
cushy job in high-income units and low-risk environment such as
cities that they exploit their social circle to seize the job by all means,
even before graduation, especially with the fanatical help from their
parents. From the perspective of Public Security management, this

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phenomenon significantly disturbs students’ study motivation, let
alone the negative impacts on training quality and human resources
organization in the sector.
Questions have been raised in many aspects. In what manner

to analyse scientifically and thoroughly the students’
behaviour of choosing People’s Public Security as
occupation and their expectation of future job.

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-

-

To study students’ view on being a People’s Public Security
officer, then their motivation to enrol in the major as well as
information channels and time to which they get exposed
about People's Security Academy.
To get insight into students’ tendency to choose working
places or working units, working conditions and
environment after graduation from People's Security
Academy.

2.3 Research questions:
In this thesis, research questions to develop as below:
What are the cognition and opinion of People’s Public
Security undergraduates on their occupational value?
Does gender make any difference in job preference among
public security undergraduates? How do male and female
undergraduates, as two groups, expect of their would-be working
place, conditions and environment?
Do personal characteristics such as age, living place and
family background (education, parents’ occupation, family living

readiness than females.
3. Subject, object and research scope of the thesis
3.1 Research subject.
Research subject of the thesis is:
Orientation on occupational value of today people’s public
security undergraduates
3.2 Research object
People’s public security undergraduates in age of 21 – 28;as
well, officers and lecturers who provide in-depth information.
3.3. Scope of research
3.3.1 Content of research matters.
This research focuses on considering value orientation of
students who are studying at People’s Security Academy for their
future career. In particular, what are things deemed important by
them to choose and pursue a career?
To clarify matters mentioned above, the thesis focuses on
finding out students' perceptions about the public security profession
prior to their enrolment and study, the reasons to study public
security , time/information channel from which the students are
aware of this profession, and expectations of the students on working
place, working conditions and environment after graduation.
3.3.2 Location of research
People’s Security Academy is chosen as the base of survey,
which makes the research a case study in the light of sociology..
3.3.3 Time of research
The research period is understood as active time of the study
subjects, which would be defined as spanning from prior-2010 to

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information that quantitative research has not specified.
4.2.2 Interview Questionnaire

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The content of questionnaire includes many parts in
accordance with research objectives and hypotheses. For the
questionnaire’s accuracy, the questions are arranged according to a
certain structure. The questions are given in multi-levels and
different meanings. To ensure comfort for the respondents and
reliability of obtained information, the questionnaires are diversified:
close and open questions, mix and filter questions. The rating scale is
operationalized according to standards of questionnaire preparation
in sociological survey. The questionnaire shall be tested before mass
implementation.
4.2.3 Document Analysis
In this research, analysis is considered as an important
method. Available literature would be used as a basis for
supplementation and comparison with these research results, which
then enables the author to confirm the known findings as well as gain
new discoveries that are left unresolved or vague by the earlier
studies.
The researcher has encountered many difficulties while
searching available documents. Since studies of occupational value
orientation especially for people’s public security undergraduates are
poorly documented, this thesis unavoidably inherits only a limited
research legacy.
4.2.3 The variables and schema for the analysis
Independent variables: includes personal characteristics: gender,

students’ parents,
social relationship,
etc.
Individual:
- Gender, age.
- School year
- Priority

Occupational
value orientation
of people’s public
security
undergraduates

- Opinions on People’s
Security career
- Reason for
participating in
People’s Security
Academy
- How the student is
exposed to Public
Security sector
Expectations of
students on:
* Place of working.
* Working conditions
* Working environment.

Institutions:

112
514

17.8
82.2

The first year
The second year
The third year
The fourth year
The fifth year

118
106
146
105
151

18.8
16.9
23.3
16.7
24.3

City
Countryside

236
390



6. Theoretical and practical values of the thesis
6.1. Theoretical values
By conceptualizing and operationalizing terms, especially
the concept of occupational value orientation, the thesis has
contributed to clarify the content and operational direction of the
concepts in the specific conditions of Vietnam today. Besides, the
thesis has applied two approaches of sociological theory, which are
the theory of value orientation and theory of rational choice. The
research results have confirmed once again the popularity and
usefulness of these theories to real life.
In addition, according to the international practice of the
Sociology discipline, the statistics obtained from our study could be
the groundwork for further studies repeating the subject.
6.2. Practical values
This is the first empirical sociological study on occupational
value orientation of people’s public security undergraduates. The
study can provide the scientific foundation for Public Security sector
in the propagation, education and career orientation in conformity
with different groups of students who are studying at public security
colleges nationwide.
7. Structure of the thesis
In addition to the introduction, conclusion, recommendations
and references, the main content of the thesis is divided into four
chapters: Chapter 1. Overview of research matter; Chapter 2.
Rationale and practical basis of the thesis; Chapter 3. Conception to
meditation in the value orientation of people’s public security
undergraduates, Chapter 4. Important factors affecting orientation of
occupational value of people’s public security undergraduates.


the research on value transformation of Japan youth, who live in a
highly industrialized country. These authors presented that socioeconomic changes put tremendous impact on the youth, particularly
in terms of traditional values such as marriage and family [91].

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As an Oriental country, Vietnam also places its research
emphasis on value and value orientation. In 1999, in the capital of
Hanoi, the National Centre for Social Sciences and Humanities and
the Denmark-based Nordic Institute of Asian Studies co-chaired the
International Conference on Asian Values and Vietnam’s
Development. Pre-1999 period saw works on value and value
orientation well documented and no less interest in these topics have
been seen henceforth. Typical authors worth-mentioning are Tran
Van Giau (1980), Phan Huy Le and Vu Minh Giang (1980), Pham
Minh Hac (1994), Nguyen Quang Uan (1995), Do Ngoc Ha (2002),
Tran Xuan Vinh (1995), and recently Tran Ngoc Them (2016). For
value orientation, it is widely believed that: in the competitive labour
market, the young tend to build themselves one or even multiple
professions so as to gain easier opportunity of employment.
However, selection of careers and jobs is rather spontaneous and
depending on the current labour market. Many young people
misconceive occupational value orientation, which is proved in that
youngsters choose only high-paid jobs and are not keen on career in
agriculture, forestry and fishery.
It cannot help mentioning works and doctoral theses
concerning the occupational value orientation of young people. For
example, “Impacts of the family tradition on the value orientation of
the youth” (Can Huu Hai, 2002) proves the vital role of family

2.1.1. Concept of value
Value concept is understood from various aspects:
economics, cultural studies, psychology and sociology. American
anthropologist Cl. Kluckhohn believed that “Value refers to the
attitude toward specific wishes implicit or explicit to an individual or
a group and impacting the selection of modes, means or objections of
action”. Sociologist Fichter believed that “All things which are
beneficial to, loved by and admirable to individuals or the society
have a value”. He also classified values into personality value, social
value and cultural value (Fichter, 1973:175). Therefore, it can be said
that, the value brings about attitudes and wishes characterizing all
things meaningful to human beings. The value influences the modes
and motives of human actions. The value changes when the time
goes by.

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2.1.2. Value orientation
Value orientation refers to the direction leading subjects of
actions to follow selected norms and standards and make decisions in
sudden situation (unanticipated) (Talcott Parsons, and Edward A.
Shils, 1951). Kon, another researcher, believed “Value orientation is
the overall system of psychosphere under which individuals (or
groups) perceive the situation and select the corresponding mode of
action” (Kon, 1967).
2.1.3. The orientation on occupational value of people’s public
security undergraduates
The above rationale rounds our belief that orientation on
occupational value of people’s public security undergraduates

actions by considering pros and cons, gains and losses in order to
make a decision in his favour. However, the theory focuses on two
restrictions on the action. Firstly, it is scarce resource. For those with
less or limited resources, accomplishment is difficult or impossible.
Secondly, the limited resource is institutional, which restricts
existing choices of the subjects of actions, i.e. limits the outcomes of
the subjects of actions [94, tr.166-169]. Rational choice theory is
applied to the thesis to delve into objectives, plans and certain values
which students pursue before entering the Academy, analyze
resources of undergraduates/their families and institutional
restrictions impacting undergraduates’ occupational preference.
2.4 Socio-economic background
For this paper, in addition to selection of value by undergraduates
and other factors, socio-economic background, Party guidelines, the
State’s policies and laws and regulations of the Public Security
Sector in relation to establishment of people’s security force (Law on
the People's Public Security Forces2015 and other documents) are
deemed as important practical basis.
2.5 Research location and objects
2.5.1 Research location: People’s Security Academy is chosen as the
research location as this place has conditions sufficient for a case
study of Sociology.
2.5.2 Research objects: They are security officer undergraduates
studying in People’s Security Academy, ranging from the first to
fifth year, aged 21-28.

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Chapter 3

51.6 36.3
other works
Status
Lower social status
0.0
0.0
6.5
0.3
than other works
Others
1.1
1.4
0.0
1.3
High
social
83.7
85.9
51.6 83.9
prestige
Social prestige like
15.2
13.3
41.9 15.0
Prestige
other works
Low social prestige
0.0
0.6
6.5

reason (free tuition) than females.
3.3 Time, information sources/channels for undergraduates to
get aware of People’s Security Academy
Time for access to information on People’s Security Academy is
divided into 3 terms: half year, one year and two years before the
entrance exam. A majority of students get exposed to the Academy
half year before the entrance exam. This is reasonable since this time
sees students preparing for the High School Graduation Exam and
enrolment for the university entrance exam.
3.4 Desired working places after the graduation
The survey results show a high homogeneity in expectations for
the working place of undergraduates. A majority of undergraduates
(90%) desires to work for: Ministry of Public Security (or equivalent
units) and Provincial/municipal public security. Preference for work
in other levels is seen with a low rate.

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Graph 3.7 Expectations for working places of people’s public security
undergraduates. Unit: %

Public
Security Provincial/City
Ministerial agencies (or public security
Department
or
ministerial-level units)

Urban, rural district Ward, commune – Other

In this part, on the basis of the actual working environment
in the public security sector, the author presents 3 assumptions on
working environment:
sociability, equality; high discipline,
comfortability; and others. The survey results show that sociability,
equality and high discipline are important criteria focused by the
people’s public security undergraduates. This prompts public security
authorities to pay further care in creation of a good working place
satisfying the expectations of undergraduates and assuring their service .

Chapter 4
SOME FACTORS AFFECTING ORIENTATION OF
OCCUPATIONAL VALUE OF PEOPLE’S PUBLIC
SECURITY UNDERGRADUATES
4.1 Gender of People’s Public Security undergraduates
There are significant differences in occupational preference
of People’s Public Security undergraduates attributable to gender.
While male undergraduates tend to choose challenging jobs in
anywhere, female undergraduates consider and tend to choose safe
jobs with low risks and high income and fixed to a specific location.
4.2 Age groups of People’s Public Security undergraduates
Age, among others, can be used to gauge one’s experience
and it affects the awareness and behaviours of human beings. This
thesis considers age with the same level of importance. However,
most of models point out no impact of age with statistical
significance. Since the study range of age is merely from 21 to 28
years old, it is understandable that there is not much difference.
4.3 Living standards of People’s Public Security undergraduates’
families
Household living standards tremendously overshadow the

analysis show that passion of the sector and enrolment in the Public
Security Academy of undergraduates with relatives working in the
sector are 10 times as much as ones of undergraduates without
relatives working in the sector. The desire for a safe working
environment with lower risks of undergraduates with relatives
working in the sector is 2.2 times higher than undergraduates without
relatives working in the sector.

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Box 4.3 Parents are police and reason for selecting Public Security
Academy
My parents work in the sector, my mother is working in a public security agency of
district level and my father is working in a provincial public security agency. I
have seen their difficulties in work. However, thanks to their early disciplinary
education when I was small, I feel like succeeding their career. On the other hand,
my father suggests me to follow this occupation. He said that they would not have
to worry about my occupation and working place after my graduating. Therefore, I
determine to select this sector (said a female 4th year undergraduate, major of
TSCGD. MSPV0024).

4.6 Education level of People’s Public Security undergraduates’
parents
Testing results of the regression model concerning relation
between education level of parents and the perception of income in
Public Security sector have found that education level of parents has
a clear influence. Especially, undergraduates whose father has
tertiary education or higher schooling level tend to consider income
in public security lower than other sectors. On the other hand, the

However, they wish to work in the Ministerial – level units or
provincial units (90% does), rather than mission to far-away lands.
Among 6 factors constituting conditions, working place near one’s
house is considered as the most attractive condition. Of course, there
are differences between various groups of undergraduates. For
example, undergraduates of first three years are interested in high
income, while undergraduates whose parents are farmers pay special
attention to work in the sector which they are trained. It is specially
noted that one fifth of undergraduates are not ready to take their
duties. For working environment after graduating, most of
undergraduates wish to work in friendly, equal and disciplined
environment. Therefore, just as other Vietnamese students and youth
in general, value orientation of People’s Public Security
undergraduates is being made in both positive and negative trends,
among which the positive trend predominates.

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2. For important factors in orientation of occupational value of
undergraduates: Against the backdrop of a transforming society,
there are many actors which have important influences on Public
Security undergraduates’ orientation of occupational value , but due
to the limited scope, the thesis should just mention the closest and
most direct factors. For example, concerning gender, while male
undergraduates are willing to go anywhere and choose challenging
jobs, female undergraduates prefer safe and low-risk jobs in a
determined geographical area. In choosing occupations, the higher
living standards undergraduates have, the more they choose Public
Security for its social position and prestige but not for free tuition.