Employability: Does University-Industry Linkages Matters?

Abstract

This study is aimed at identifying the important university-industry linkages (UILs) activities that can be pivotal in developing self-perceived employability among Pakistani university students. It also examines the relationship between UILs and self-perceived employability. It seeks to answer the question, whether the dimensions of UILs plays any role in self-perceived employability among Pakistani university students? Design/Methodology/Approach: The instrument developed by Ishengoma, and Vaaland (2016) was used to identify the important UILs activities and self-perceived employability among students was measured through Rothwell, Herbert, & Rothwell (2008)’ scale. A sample of 285 university students who are enrolled in 11 federally chartered universities of Islamabad, Pakistan was surveyed via close ended questionnaire through emails and in person. Descriptive statistics and PLS-SEM were applied to tests the hypothesized relationship by using SmartPLS. Finding: The study results reveal that all three dimensions of UILs (1. collaborative training & educational activities, 2. collaborative consulting activities, 3. collaborative research activities) are positively related to self-perceived employability, and hence, supports all three hypotheses. The strong and significant regression results are indicative of this conjecture. The study also reflects the student internship programs and joint projects are most popular UILs activity in Pakistani universities. Implications: The research findings augment our understanding of UILs in Pakistan and how they relate to self-perceived employability. The study findings have implications for universities who are striving for better role in society and for industry, who want to be innovative in order to remain competitive. Lastly it has special implications for students who are about to enter in their professional lives and for policy makers to redefining the role of universities, industry and government to promote employability. Originality/value: This research adds values to existing literature on UILs, as most of previous UILs are descriptive and exploratory in nature. This is a unique explanatory study which relates UILs with employability, particularly in context of a developing country