WIL and business graduate skill transfer to workplace

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand MBA skill transfer, employability and how work-integrated learning (WIL) can help in ensuring the availability of employable managers after the completion of MBA. India faces a major crisis in terms of finding employable workforce despite its huge population. The paper explores the question of employability. It focuses on how WIL can be used to facilitate transfer of skills, which ultimately leads to a more employable workforce.Design/methodology/approachExisting research was studied to establish linkages between WIL and skill transfer. The existing skill gaps in MBA education, which lead to unemployable business graduates, were also revealed.FindingsThe literature studied suggests that there is a positive impact of obtaining an MBA degree on the employability of business graduates. However, there is no concrete evidence to show that the impact is big enough to cover the cost and time spent on pursuing the degree. The paper also reveals the various types of WIL modules being followed by some universities to improve skill transfer and to ensure that graduates are work-ready.Research limitations/implicationsThough the question of employability poses a serious threat to the Indian education as well as the industry, little has been done to assess the ways in which the graduates can be made employable. WIL is also being practiced in a very narrow sense and only by institutes of repute. WIL is being practiced in certain countries and the Indian business schools can use these programmes as a guide.Originality/valueThe paper studies the question of employability from the point of view of the Indian economy and educational institutions. It draws from the experiences of other countries in trying to include WIL into the degree programme to facilitate skill transfer.