Abstract
There is always a gap between practitioners’ perception on business graduate competencies as compared to academicians’ perception on the similar topic. Hence, the task to bridge the gap is very necessary in order to equipped business graduates with a more competent set of skills. This study aims to empirically identify the practitioners’ perception on important competencies should possessed by Malaysia business graduates. The second objective is to identify the practitioners’ perception on important competencies should possessed by Malaysia business graduates. Last objective is to identify if there is a gap exist between both group’s perception on important competencies should possessed by Malaysia business graduates. A survey questionnaire was designed and administered to determine the perceptions of employers about the perceived important competencies and hiring preferences. A total of 45 questionnaires were distributed to managers of nine main local commercial banks in Malaysia in the period of six months. The gap between employer needs and graduate competencies were able identified. The findings from this study can be a significant help to the universities in producing competitive business graduates and industries at improving human capital capabilities.
Highlights
Rapid changes in today’s business environment are extremely fast pace and highly competitive
In a recent survey conducted by the Central Bank of Malaysia, involving 312 companies, 77.6% of the respondents felt that Malaysian graduates lack the required skills to function effectively at the workplace (Kumar, Kee, & Manshor, 2009)
The results found that 70.7% of the respondents agreed that the overall quality of educational experience received at Univerisiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) has been in good and excellent level, which parallel with UMP education strategies to provide students with technical knowledge, skills as well as soft skills
Summary
Rapid changes in today’s business environment are extremely fast pace and highly competitive. Talent with high level of competencies had become a competitive advantage for many companies It had become a critical challenge for employers to attain best talent from business schools. According to the Higher Education Minister, Malaysia graduates did not lack the talent or competency to be employed but it was just that some of them lacked the direction and inputs to sharpen their natural talent, interpersonal skills and abilities (Bernama, 2009). This issue has been one of the debated issues discussed among the academia in Malaysia and the practitioners.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
