Conceptualisation of a Graduate Employability Framework from a Malaysian Perspective

Seetha Nesaratnam, Shivaani Prabha Karan, Foo Yi Von

Abstract


Skills shortage among graduates is a serious constraint in Malaysia and according to Bank Negara Malaysia, graduate employability in Malaysia is a rising concern as graduates represent 23 per cent of total youth unemployment. As Malaysia aggressively sets course towards becoming a high-income economy, the need for skilled manpower is said to be expanding across key industries. To ensure a productive workforce, the country must have a high-quality flow of talent supply to fill these jobs. Hence, the study investigates the antecedents of graduate employability in Malaysia by researching a key stakeholder group, which is the employer.

Using a qualitative research methodology, ten employers were interviewed using in-depth interviews to explore and enrich the graduate employability framework. The qualitative phase inducted the ‘graduate training’ construct and its sub-constructs of ‘internship’, ‘mentoring’ and ‘talent management’, as perceived by the employers, which were added as enrichment to the graduate employability framework. It also affirmed and authenticated the ‘soft skills’ construct drawn from literature. By incorporating the findings from the qualitative phase, an enriched framework eventuated. This enriched framework brings these previously omitted dimensions to the forefront.


Full Text:

PDF

References


Agrawal, V. (2012). Managing the diversified team: challenges and strategies for improving performance",. An International Journal, Vol. 18(7/8), pp.384-400. https://doi.org/10.1108/13527591211281129

Agwu, D. (2015). Teamwork and Employee Performance in The bonny Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Plant. Strategic Management Quarterly, 3(4). https://doi.org/10.15640/smq.v3n4a3

Ahles, C., & Bosworth, C. (2004). The Perception and Reality of Student and Workplace Teams. Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, 59(1), 41-59. https://doi.org/10.1177/107769580405900108

Bank Negara Malaysia. (2017). Youth Unemployment in Malaysia: Developments and Policy Considerations (pp. 100 - 101). Kuala Lumpur: Bank Negara Malaysia. Retrieved from http://www.bnm.gov.my/files/publication/ar/en/2016/cp04_003_box.pdf

Belzer, K., D’Zurilla, T., & Maydeu-Olivares, A. (2002). Social problem solving and trait anxiety as predictors of worry in a college student population. Personality And Individual Differences, 33(4), 573-585. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0191-8869(01)00173-8

Blumberg, B., Cooper, D., & Schindler, P. (2008). Business Research Methods. London: McGraw-Hill Education.

Bridgstock, R. (2009). The graduate attributes we’ve overlooked: enhancing graduate employability through career management skills. Higher Education Research & Development, 28(1), 31-44. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360802444347

Brock, S., McAliney, P., Ma, C., & Sen, A. (2017). Toward more practical measurement of teamwork skills. Journal Of Workplace Learning, 29(2), 124-133. https://doi.org/10.1108/jwl-07-2016-0069

Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2015). Business Research methods (4th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Callanan, G., & Benzing, C. (2004). Assessing the role of internships in the career‐oriented employment of graduating college students. Education + Training, 46(2), 82-89. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910410525261

Cappelli, P. (2008). Talent Management for the Twenty-First Century. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2008/03/talent-management-for-the-twenty-first-century

Chang, W., & Busser, J. (2017). Hospitality employees promotional attitude: Findings from graduates of a twelve-month management training program. International Journal Of Hospitality Management, 60, 48-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2016.09.013

Clarke, M. (2016). Building employability through graduate development programmes. Personnel Review, 46(4), 792-808. https://doi.org/10.1108/pr-12-2015-0321

Clifford, V., & Montgomery, C. (2014). Challenging Conceptions of Western Higher Education and Promoting Graduates as Global Citizens. Higher Education Quarterly, 68(1), 28-45. https://doi.org/10.1111/hequ.12029

Connor, H., & Shaw, S. (2008). Graduate training and development: current trends and issues. Education + Training, 50(5), 357-365. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910810889048

Copps, J., & Plimmer, D. (2013). Inspiring Impact: Journey to EmploymenT (JET) framework (pp. 4 to 17). London: New Philanthropy Capital (NPC). Retrieved from https://www.thinknpc.org/publications/the-journey-to-employment/

Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (1998). Basics of qualitative research (p. 11). SAGE.

Creswell, J., & Plano Clark, V. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.

Critical Occupation List: Addressing Malaysia's Talent Shortages. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.talentcorp.com.my/clients/TalentCorp_2016_7A6571AE-D9D0-4175-B35D-99EC514F2D24/contentms/img/publication/MSJ16050704.pdf

Dacre Pool, L., & Sewell, P. (2007). The key to employability: developing a practical model of graduate employability. Education + Training, 49(4), 277-289. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910710754435

Dacre Pool, L., Qualter, P., & Sewell, P. (2014). Exploring the factor structure of the CareerEDGE employability development profile. Education + Training, 56(4), 303-313. https://doi.org/10.1108/et-01-2013-0009

Darwin, A. (2015). Graduates giving back – a mentoring program for MBA students. International Journal Of Mentoring And Coaching In Education, 4(3), 200-212. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijmce-03-2015-0009

De Vos, A., De Hauw, S., & Van der Heijden, B. (2011). Competency development and career success: The mediating role of employability. Journal Of Vocational Behavior, 79(2), 438-447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2011.05.010

Denzin, N., & Lincoln, Y. (2018). The Sage handbook of qualitative research. Los Angeles: SAGE.

Deschaine, M., & Jankens, B. (2017). Creating successful and sustainable educational administrative internship experiences. Higher Education, Skills And Work-Based Learning, 7(1), 5-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-02-2016-0008

Economic Planning Unit. (2015). Anchoring Growth on People. (p. 6). Kuala Lumpur: Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad,. Retrieved from http://www.epu.gov.my/sites/default/files/11MP%20Summary%20BI.pdf

European Commission. (2013). The Employability of Higher Education Graduates: The Employers’ Perspective.. Maastricht: Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market.

Garwood, R. (2012). Supporting the underperforming manager. Human Resource Management International Digest, 20(1), 39-42. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670731211195963

Govender, C., & Wait, M. (2017). Work integrated learning benefits for student career prospects - mixed mode analysis. South African Journal Of Higher Education, 31(5). https://doi.org/10.20853/31-5-609

Govindaraju, C., & Wong, C. (2011). Patenting activities by developing countries: The case of Malaysia. World Patent Information, 33(1), 51-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wpi.2010.01.001

Hanapi, Z., & Nordin, M. (2014). Unemployment among Malaysia Graduates: Graduates’Attributes, Lecturers’ Competency and Quality of Education. Procedia - Social And Behavioral Sciences, 112, 1056-1063. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.1269

Harvey, L. (2001). Defining and Measuring Employability. Quality In Higher Education, 7(2), 97-109. https://doi.org/10.1080/13538320120059990

Hillage, J., & Pollard, E. (1998). Employability: developing a framework for policy analysis. Great Britain, Department for Education and Employment.

Hoe, P., & Jangwan, K. (2016). Relationship between Collaborative Self-efficacy and Problem-solving Skills of University Students: Mediating Effect of Communication Skills. Journal Of Educational Innovation Research, 26(1), 169-192. https://doi.org/10.21024/pnuedi.26.1.201604.169

Holtbrügge, D., & Mohr, A. (2010). Cultural Determinants of Learning Style Preferences. Academy Of Management Learning & Education, 9(4), 622-637. https://doi.org/10.5465/amle.2010.56659880

Hu, J., & Liden, R. (2011). Antecedents of team potency and team effectiveness: An examination of goal and process clarity and servant leadership. Journal Of Applied Psychology, 96(4), 851-862. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022465

Jackson, D. (2016). Developing pre-professional identity in undergraduates through work-integrated learning. Higher Education, 74(5), 833-853. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-016-0080-2

Jobstreet. Malaysia. (2015). Employers: Fresh Graduates Have Unrealistic Expectations. Kuala Lumpur: Job street. Malaysia. Retrieved from https://www.jobstreet.com.my/career-resources/employers-fresh-graduates-unrealistic-expectations/#.WeXcCUyB3ow

Johnson, K. (2014). Cooperative Education and Sustainability: Students Making a Difference. The International Journal Of Sustainability Education, 9(3), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.18848/2325-1212/cgp/v09i03/55303

Kaiser, K. (2009). Protecting Respondent Confidentiality in Qualitative Research. Qualitative Health Research, 19(11), 1632-1641. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732309350879

Kantor, J., & Crosser, A. (2017). Four Key Benefits of Workplace Mentoring Initiatives. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/julie-kantor/four-key-benefits-of-work_b_9432716.html

Kati, S. (2017). Developing Pragmatic Competence While Teaching Communication Skills and Soft Skills for Students’ Overall Personality Development. International Journal For Research In Applied Science And Engineering Technology, V(XI), 2823-2826. https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2017.11387

Laker, D., & Powell, J. (2011). The differences between hard and soft skills and their relative impact on training transfer. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 22(1), 111-122. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrdq.20063

Lok, P., & Crawford, J. (2004). The effect of organisational culture and leadership style on job satisfaction and organisational commitment. Journal Of Management Development, 23(4), 321-338. https://doi.org/10.1108/02621710410529785

Maelah, R., Muhammaddun Mohamed, Z., Ramli, R., & Aman, A. (2014). Internship for accounting undergraduates: comparative insights from stakeholders. Education + Training, 56(6), 482-502. https://doi.org/10.1108/et-09-2012-0088

Mascle, D. (2013). Writing Self-Efficacy and Written Communication Skills. Business Communication Quarterly, 76(2), 216-225. https://doi.org/10.1177/1080569913480234

Matsouka, K., & Mihail, D. (2016). Graduates’ employability. Industry And Higher Education, 30(5), 321-326. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950422216663719

McCracken, M., Currie, D., & Harrison, J. (2015). Understanding graduate recruitment, development and retention for the enhancement of talent management: sharpening ‘the edge’ of graduate talent. The International Journal Of Human Resource Management, 27(22), 2727-2752. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2015.1102159

McDermott, E., Mangan, J., & O'Connor, M. (2006). Graduate development programmes and satisfaction levels. Journal Of European Industrial Training, 30(6), 456-471. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090590610688834

McDermott, E., Mangan, J., & O'Connor, M. (2006). Graduate development programmes and satisfaction levels. Journal Of European Industrial Training, 30(6), 456-471. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090590610688834

McEwan, D., Ruissen, G., Eys, M., Zumbo, B., & Beauchamp, M. (2017). The Effectiveness of Teamwork Training on Teamwork Behaviors and Team Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Interventions. PLOS ONE, 12(1), e0169604. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0169604

Miller, L., Biggart, A., & Newton, B. (2013). Basic and employability skills. International Journal Of Training And Development, 17(3), 173-175. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijtd.12007

Minocha, S., Hristov, D., & Reynolds, M. (2017). From graduate employability to employment: policy and practice in UK higher education. International Journal Of Training And Development, 21(3), 235-248. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijtd.12105

Morrison, A. (2013). A class act? Lecturers’ views on undergraduates’ employability. British Journal Of Sociology Of Education, 35(4), 487-505. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2013.802420

National Association of College Education United Kingdom. (2009). Job Outlook 2009 Study. London: Ministry of Education UK. Retrieved from http://www.naceweb.org/press/display.asp?year=2009&prid=295

Nepal, G. (2010). Essence of Ethics in Communication in a Global Climate. The Journal Of The South East Asia Research Centre For Communication And Humanities., 2, 21-31. Retrieved from http://search.taylors.edu.my/final_pdf/journals/Vol2/Vol2_Mar10_4_J3.pdf

Nesaratnam, S., & Gayen, S. (2018). A Review of Literature on Graduate Employability. The International Journal Of Business And Management, 6(6), 6 -7. Retrieved from http://www.theijbm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/BM1806-001.pdf

Nilsson, S. (2010). Enhancing individual employability: the perspective of engineering graduates. Education + Training, 52(6/7), 540-551. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400911011068487

Nusrat, M. (2016). Soft Skills for Sustainable Employment; Does It Really Matter?. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2857520

Patton, M. (2014). Qualitative research & evaluation methods + writing up qualitative research (4th ed.). United States of America: SAGE.

Pham, T., Bao, D., Saito, E., & Chowdhury, R. (2018). Employability of international students: Strategies to enhance their experience on work-integrated learning (WIL) programs. Journal Of Teaching And Learning For Graduate Employability, 9(1), 62. https://doi.org/10.21153/jtlge2018vol9no1art693

Prieto, B. (2013). Establishing and Building Leadership Skills. Leadership And Management In Engineering, 13(3), 209-211. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)lm.1943-5630.0000235

Rae, D. (2008). Riding out the storm: graduates, enterprise and careers in turbulent economic times. Education + Training, 50(8/9), 748-763. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910810917118

Rahmat, N., Ayub, A., & Buntat, Y. (2014). Exploratory Skills Constructs and Dimensions as Job Performance Prediction: A Qualitative Approach. Geografia:Malaysian Journal Of Society And Space, 12(3), 154 - 167.

Rateau, R., Kaufman, E., & Cletzer, D. (2015). Innovative Classroom Strategies that Prepare College Graduates for Workplace Success. Journal Of Agricultural Education, 56(3), 52-68. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2015.03052

Robles, M. (2012). Executive Perceptions of the Top 10 Soft Skills Needed in Today’s Workplace. Business Communication Quarterly, 75(4), 453-465. https://doi.org/10.1177/1080569912460400

Saldaña, J. (2015). The coding manual for qualitative researchers + qualitative data analysis (3rd ed.). London: Sage Publications.

Samkin, G., & Stainbank, L. (2016). Teaching and learning. Meditari Accountancy Research, 24(3), 294-317. https://doi.org/10.1108/medar-05-2016-0062

Scott, B., & Revis, S. (2008). Talent management in hospitality: graduate career success and strategies. International Journal Of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 20(7), 781-791. https://doi.org/10.1108/09596110810897600

Seetha, N. (2014). Are Soft skills Important in the Workplace? â A Preliminary Investigation in Malaysia. International Journal Of Academic Research In Business And Social Sciences, 4(3), 44 - 53. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v4-i4/751

Shafie, H., Syed Khuzzan, S., & Mohyin, N. (2014). Soft Skills Competencies of Quantity Surveying Graduates in Malaysia: Employers’ Views and Expectations. International Journal Of Built Environment And Sustainability, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.11113/ijbes.v1.n1.3

Syafii, W., & Yasin, R. (2013). Problem Solving Skills and Learning Achievements through Problem-Based Module in teaching and learning Biology in High School. Asian Social Science, 9(12). https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v9n12p220

Tafti, M., Mahmoudsalehi, M., & Amiri, M. (2017). Critical success factors, challenges and obstacles in talent management. Industrial And Commercial Training, 49(1), 15-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict-05-2016-0036

TalentCorp Malaysia. (2016). Critical Occupation List: Addressing Malaysia's Talent Shortage (p. 1). Kuala Lumpur: TalentCorp. Retrieved from https://www.talentcorp.com.my/clients/TalentCorp_2016_7A6571AE-D9D0-4175-B35D-99EC514F2D24/contentms/img/publication/MSJ16050704.pdf

Taylor, S. (2017). Forming Character in Business School Leadership Education: Rejoinder to “The Development of Leader Character Through Crucible Moments”. Journal Of Management Education, 42(2), 301-305. https://doi.org/10.1177/1052562917742928

Tharenou, P., Donohue, R., & Cooper, B. (2007). Management research methods. Cambridge [England]: Cambridge University Press.

Thern, E., de Munter, J., Hemmingsson, T., & Rasmussen, F. (2017). Long-term effects of youth unemployment on mental health: does an economic crisis make a difference?. Journal Of Epidemiology And Community Health, 71(4), 344-349. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2016-208012

Tiraieyari, N., & Abdul Hamid, J. (2015). Is Employability Orientation More Enhanced by Career self- Efficacy or Leadership Attribute?. Modern Applied Science, 9(8). https://doi.org/10.5539/mas.v9n8p57

Towers-Clark, J. (2015). Undergraduate accounting students: prepared for the workplace?. Journal Of International Education In Business, 8(1), 37-48. https://doi.org/10.1108/jieb-11-2013-0043

Van Buren, H. (2003). Boundaryless Careers and Employability Obligations. Business Ethics Quarterly, 13(02), 131-149. https://doi.org/10.5840/beq20031329

Wang, Y., & Chiew, V. (2010). On the cognitive process of human problem solving. Cognitive Systems Research, 11(1), 81-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogsys.2008.08.003

Weber, M., Crawford, A., Lee, J., & Dennison, D. (2017). CFA and soft skill competencies for entry-level managers. Anatolia, 28(3), 453-455. https://doi.org/10.1080/13032917.2017.1327873

Wittekind, A., Raeder, S., & Grote, G. (2009). A longitudinal study of determinants of perceived employability. Journal Of Organizational Behavior, 31(4), 566-586. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.646




DOI: https://doi.org/10.5296/ijhrs.v8i4.13813

Copyright (c) 2018 Seetha Nesaratnam, Shivaani Prabha Karan, Foo Yi Von

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

International Journal of Human Resource Studies  ISSN 2162-3058

Email: ijhrs@macrothink.org

Copyright © Macrothink Institute  

To make sure that you can receive messages from us, please add the 'macrothink.org' domain to your e-mail 'safe list'. If you do not receive e-mail in your 'inbox', check your 'bulk mail' or 'junk mail' folders.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------