Business employability for late millennials: exploring the perceptions of generation Z students and generation X faculty

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antigone G. Kyrousi ◽  
Eugenia Tzoumaka ◽  
Stella Leivadi
Keyword(s):  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Generation X ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Work Readiness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Generation Z ◽  
Perceived Employability

Purpose The paper aims to explore employability in business as perceived by Generation Z (late millennials) business students and faculty. It focuses on perceptions regarding necessary employability skills from the diverse standpoints of two different groups of stakeholders within one Higher Education Institution. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a Mixed Qualitative Design approach including a core and a supplementary component; Generation Z student perceptions are initially identified through a thematic analysis of students’ research reports on employability. These perceptions are then further contextualized through findings from a series of personal interviews conducted with Generation X academics in the same institution. Findings The findings support the two basic dimensions of perceived employability, work readiness and employability skills, for which students and educators hold similar notions. Both stakeholders distinguish between “hard” and “soft” skills, but filter their relative importance through a generational lens. An emerging finding was the link between personality traits and perceived employability skills. Originality/value The paper examines the much-debated issue of perceived employability through the eyes of Generation Z students; research on employability perceptions of Generation Z is, to date, limited. The topic is timely, as Generation Z is the newest generation entering the business job market. In addition, the paper adds to the emerging contemporary stream of literature exploring employability in the field of business education.

scholarly journals Networking behaviour, graduate employability: a social capital perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saša Batistic ◽  
Alex Tymon
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Goal Orientation ◽  
Career Guidance ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Employability ◽  
Graduate Employability

Purpose Drawing on the overarching framework of social capital theory, the purpose of this paper is to develop and empirically examine networking behaviour and employability within the higher education context. Design/methodology/approach In a sample of 376 full-time business students the authors measured perceived employability, networking behaviour, access to information and resources and job-search learning goal orientation (JSLGO). Findings The authors found networking is related to increased internal and external perceived employability by boosting access to information and resources. The results also demonstrate that networking is positively related to access to information and resources for low and high JSLGO, the relationship being stronger for those with higher levels. Research limitations/implications The results provide an enriched view of individual networking behaviour by offering an indirect model of networking outcomes and to the graduate employability and social capital literatures. Practical implications The findings may provide focus for individuals concerned with enhancing their employability and those involved in supporting career guidance. Originality/value Obvious beneficiaries are students, for whom employment is a key concern, and universities who face increasing pressure to enhance graduate employability whilst resources to do so are diminishing. To this end the authors highlight activities that may develop networking behaviours and JSLGO.

Do employability skills for business graduates meet the employers’ expectations? The case of retail Islamic banks of Bahrain

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor Al-Shehab ◽  
Mukhtar AL-Hashimi ◽  
Araby Madbouly ◽  
Sameh Reyad ◽  
Allam Hamdan
Keyword(s):  
Business Students ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Graduates ◽  
Innovative Methods ◽  
Strategic Plans

PurposeManagers claim that fresh graduates are unequipped to meet market demands. The aim of this study is to investigate the perception of employers in retail Islamic banks of Bahrain on newly graduated business students. The Singaporean Model of Employability Skills was implemented, to ascertain the mean ratings of employability skills in terms of their importance and the competency of business graduates.Design/methodology/approachThis deductive research approach initiated with a literature review that identifies research gap and a model that was tested via a self-administration adopted survey by collected data from 220 senior employees at retail Islamic banks of BahrainFindingsThe systematic of convenience sampling technique was used in selecting 161 samples and the researcher received only 85 completed questionnaire forms. Findings initiate that employers appreciated the importance of teamwork, risk management and decision-making skills. Their main recommendation was that employers should establish a durable bond with universities to enhance employability skills.Originality/valueBecause the researcher gathered all data from employers of different Islamic banks in Bahrain, this sector in addition will get the advantage of the results that banks will formulate their strategic plans accordingly to tackle the business graduates’ weaknesses. Likewise, universities and researchers might be motivated to look into new innovative methods that assist graduates to accommodate with market conditions.

Beyond human capital: student preparation for graduate life

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-163
Author(s):  
Kelly Benati ◽  
Juan Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Psychological Capital ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Preparation ◽  
As Stress ◽  
Capital Development ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis research moves beyond a focus on employability skills and explores student perceptions of preparedness for graduate life in a more holistic manner.Design/methodology/approachFinal-year business students were asked to outline their concerns regarding graduate life and the personal and professional challenges anticipated in their careers. The results are presented in the context of graduate capitals, which is a broader view than the more traditional skills-based approach.FindingsThe results indicate students do not feel underprepared for the workplace in terms of human capital, social capital, cultural capital and identity capital. However, many students feel inadequately prepared in terms of psychological capital and their ability to deal with the expected challenges of the workplace such as stress, long hours and the demands of a professional environment.Research limitations/implicationsThis study extends our knowledge of student preparation for the workplace and suggests research opportunities to better understand psychological capital development in graduates.Practical implicationsGreater confidence and a perception of preparedness may be increased for graduates if opportunities for psychological capital development and increased promotion of its importance are enhanced.Social implicationsThe results encourage a more holistic approach to employability in graduates and have relevance for all stakeholders concerned with graduate outcomes and workplace transition.Originality/valueThe paper presents work-readiness in the context of graduate capitals, which is broader than the traditional skills-based approach. It also focuses on student perceptions of their level of preparation for the workplace. This has enabled results which highlight psychological capital development as a key area in which students feel underprepared.

Undergraduate perceptions of the knowledge, skills and competencies required of today’s practicing marketer

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Carter ◽  
Amy Chu-May Yeo
Keyword(s):  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Undergraduate Teaching ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how students in a Malaysian context, as a result of their experience of a Higher Education Institution (HEI) undergraduate teaching and learning experience in the subject of Marketing, perceive the knowledge, skills and competencies required of a practicing marketer and, conversely, what curriculum developers need to do if there is a “shortfall”. Design/methodology/approach Based on a total sample of a UG student population from an Accountancy, Finance and Business Faculty, the primarily descriptive, positivist, cross-sectional study used inferential statistics to measure the relationship between the four components of marketing knowledge, skills and competencies (the marketing mix, performance, social and emotional competencies, and responsible decision making). Findings Quantitative results revealed that all student perceptions of the requirements to be a “fit for purpose” marketer were highly correlated with requirements from the literature, subject benchmarks and practice with few exemptions. Research limitations/implications The findings are based on one institution. Moreover, knowledge, skills and competency requirements by students’ level of study and practitioner experience may vary by type of HEI, organisation and geographic location. Practical implications Recommendations are made for curriculum development to address both employability and career development, particularly in terms of interdisciplinary co-operation and the teaching and learning of concepts. Originality/value Using the student perceptions of the requirements for being a practicing marketer, HEIs can adjust/add to their curriculum by comparing these to documented sources from academia and practice and by making any necessary adjustments by course of study.

scholarly journals Developing business students’ employability skills through working in partnership with a local business to deliver an undergraduate mentoring programme

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Spence ◽  
Denis Hyams-Ssekasi
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Local Business ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – Working collaboratively with local business is vitally important in the delivery of higher education (HE) in further education (FE). The purpose of this paper is to explore an effective way of engaging local employers to enhance the employability skills of students through a closely monitored and supported mentoring relationship. The project was developed in order to address the employability needs of final year business students at a HE facility offered by a college situated in the North West of England. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative data were collected through the use of reflective journals and a series of focus groups with mentors and mentees. Findings – Overall both mentors and mentees reported positive responses to the mentoring scheme. From the mentees point of view self-confidence, employability skills and networks were enhanced. Mentors reported satisfaction in contributing to the local community. Challenges were found in matching mentors with appropriate mentees. A perceived poor match negatively affected the relationship. Mentors reported that mentees lacked career direction and seemed to have limited understanding of what was expected in the mentoring process. Research limitations/implications – The scope of this study is one mentoring scheme in one institution and therefore has limited generalisability. However, there are implications for the development of further mentoring schemes in other institutions in the UK and beyond. Originality/value – This mentoring scheme was carried out in FE that offers HE courses in a northern town with above average levels of unemployment and with a diverse ethnic population. The scheme involves senior managers volunteering to support business undergraduates.

Graduate readiness for the employment market of the 4th industrial revolution

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 590-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weili Teng ◽  
Chenwei Ma ◽  
Saeed Pahlevansharif ◽  
Jason James Turner
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
The Other ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Soft Skill ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Malaysian Students

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is, first, to examine student perspectives of their university experience in terms of the soft employability skills they develop; second, how prepared those students feel for the future employment market and finally investigate whether there are differences in perceptions between Chinese and Malaysian students given their different educational experience.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, 361 predominantly Chinese undergraduate students at two universities, one in China and the other in Malaysia completed the 15-item Goldsmiths soft skills inventory using an online survey.FindingsThe results, analysed using factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, indicated that the university curriculum develops student soft skills, particularly in the Malaysian university and supports the relationship between soft skill and student preparedness for employment. The results also indicate that compared with the respondents from the Chinese university, the Malaysian university respondents were more likely to be positive to statements concerning their respective university’s ability to develop their soft skills.Research limitations/implicationsSuch findings have implications for education providers and business in that it is important for universities to embed soft skills into the curriculum in order to develop graduate work readiness.Originality/valueWhat this research contributes is not only consolidation of existing research in the contemporary context of a disruptive jobs market, it takes research forward through analysing student perceptions from two universities, one in Malaysia and the other in China, of the skills they develop at university and the importance of soft skills to them and their perceptions of future employment and employability. Such research will provide insight, in particular, into the role of education providers, the phenomena of underemployment among graduates in China, and be of practical significance to employers and their perception that graduates lack the necessary soft skills for the workplace (Anonymous, 2017a; Stapleton, 2017; British Council, 2015; Chan, 2015).

scholarly journals Student perceptions on using cell phones as learning tools

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-43
Author(s):  
Tashfeen Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Cell Phones ◽  
Student Perception ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mobile Phone Technology ◽  
Technology In Learning

Purpose This paper aims to examine students’ perception, views and opinions about the usage of mobile phones in an educational setting in a higher education institution located in Jamaica. The results of these findings were used to gain insights and to assist education policymakers in adopting most suitable approaches to integrating mobile technology in learning. Design/methodology/approach A survey approach was used for this study. A total of 145 students participated in the study using structured questionnaire design containing 14 questions. Findings The results indicated an overall positive student perception toward cell phones usage as a learning tool and integrating cell phones into learning activities. Students were keen on its usage as a social connectivity and collaborative tool, which they can use for flexible and personalized learning activities. Originality/value Less research has been done in Caribbean and developing countries in analyzing student perception toward using cell phones for learning purposes. This research provides insights in developing policies to assist with the integration of mobile phone technology in learning and how institutions can respond to the advent of advancing mobile technology.

scholarly journals Peran Lembaga Pendidikan Pariwisata di Era Digital Tourism

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-195
Author(s):  
Adrian Agoes
Keyword(s):  
Generation X ◽  
Generation Y ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Generation Z ◽  
Research Article ◽  
Tourism Education ◽  
New Challenges

The development of digital tourism in Indonesia seems to occur quite rapidly. The tourism industry in Indonesia also looks relatively ready to face this era where quite a number of companies engaged in tourism have adopted digital tourism in their business models. Moreover, there has been a shift in the generation of tourism in the world towards millennial generation or Generation Y. Even now the latest generation has grown, namely Generation Z. Things that can not be avoided will provide a new environment in the development of the tourism industry. This next generation transition will also present new challenges, including for the Tourism Education Institute, especially in this case the Higher Education Institution. This article is a non-research article in which the author pours his thoughts on the problem being studied. The writing of this article is based on a review of sources relevant to this problem. In this article it was revealed that tourism education in Indonesia still has a role in the development of the tourism industry. The main role is in maintaining the values ??of tourism that have developed since the Baby Boomers, Generation X and continue to Generation Y and Generation Z, but by remaining open to the development of tourism 4.0 and its changes.

Wine market segmentation by age generations in the Western US: expectations after the COVID-19 pandemic

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne McGarry Wolf ◽  
Mitchell Wolf ◽  
Benoit Lecat
Keyword(s):  
Generation X ◽  
Market Segmentation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Purchasing Behavior ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Channels Of Distribution ◽  
Generation Z ◽  
Academic Paper ◽  
Western Us

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate if differences exist between the four wine-consuming generations in wine purchasing behavior, the desirability of wine attributes when making a purchase decision and information sources used. It examines if generational market segmentation is an actionable and valuable strategy for the wine industry. Generation Z, Millennials, Generation X and Baby-Boomers are the four generations examined. This research also investigates if the generations behaved differently concerning wine consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, expectations concerning future wine purchasing behavior are examined. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was conducted between April 29, 2020 and May 7, 2020, with a sample size of 944 consumers from Western US States (California, Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Nevada). One-way analysis of variance technique and Chi-square tests were used to examine differences. Findings Segmentation by generation is appropriate when creating products, pricing, determining channels of distribution and creating messaging for a specific wine brand. The COVID-19 pandemic caused channel shifting that is expected to continue after the pandemic. Originality/value This is the second academic paper that examines differences in wine purchasing behavior between generations including Generation Z and the only study that examines the purchasing behavior changes and expectations for the future by generation concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. Research limitations/implications A national survey should be conducted to confirm that the results from the sample that was mostly from California and neighboring states reflect the national wine consumer in the USA. Practical implications The research identifies the products, prices, channels of distribution and messaging that are appropriate to target each generation.

International students’ experiences in a flipped classroom environment

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasvir Kaur Nachatar Singh ◽  
Swati Nagpal ◽  
Susan Inglis ◽  
Jubin Jacob-John
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Classroom Environment ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Learning Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Skills Learning

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore undergraduate international students’ experiences in a flipped classroom environment in an Australian university. Design/methodology/approach In total, 32 in-depth interviews were conducted with undergraduate international students at one Australian university by three researchers. Findings The learning experiences of international students in a flipped classroom environment include increased flexibility in learning; enhanced engagement with content and; more confident participation in face-to-face workshops. In addition, the analysis further illustrates that international students intrinsically develop soft skills (e.g. increased confidence and communication skills), learning skills (e.g. research and critical thinking) and employability skills (e.g. time management and accountability). Research limitations/implications These findings focus only on the positive learning experiences of undergraduate international students in one Australian university. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature by identifying learning experiences of undergraduate international students in a flipped classroom environment and the connection with their development of soft skills, learning skills and employability skills.

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