An Examination of the Rational Model in Business Education in the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau) for Curriculum Revision and Development Aimed at Improving Graduates’ Employability Potential

Abstract

The rational action model are techniques and processes of decision-making from data for effective decision-making. Business leaders are strategizing for their futures for their future employment needs in the Greater Bay Area region of Hong Kong, Macau, and the Guangdong province. Tertiary business curriculum revision and development efforts are focused on properly preparing graduates’ productive decision-making skillsets that ultimately increases their employability. This qualitative study examines the perspectives of regional business leaders for the knowledge and use of rational action in their own companies, the need or not for the rational action model in future employment decisions, and their take on the rational model inclusion in business curriculum. The purpose is determining what entanglements rational action has in delivering on business leaders’ expectancies in their employment decisions. The findings indicate a strong use by business leaders of rational action and a desire for new graduates to be proficient in rational decision-making, but without a cohesive expression between the three major areas of how to affect curriculum enhancement efforts. The conclusion is a positive demand for rational models to be included in curriculum revision and development efforts, but dependent on the tertiary institutions themselves for design. Recommendations focus on the rational action model in studies of a similar nature, but focused on other regions where emerging economies are focusing on the business education enhancements.