Work readiness and trending avenues for future studies: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis
Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning
ISSN: 2042-3896
Article publication date: 19 February 2024
Issue publication date: 25 September 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to undertake a theoretical and technical exploration of the literature on Work Readiness (WR) through the implementation of a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. The present study addresses seven distinct research questions: (1) an examination of the descriptive features characterizing the literature on WR, (2) an analysis of trends in annual scientific publications related to WR, (3) the identification of the most pertinent and high-impact sources contributing to WR, (4) the delineation of the globally cited articles exerting the most influence on WR, (5) the determination of the most relevant countries associated with WR, (6) an evaluation of the outcomes derived from Bradford’s Law of Scattering and Lotka’s Law of scientific productivity in the context of WR, and (7) the identification of the prevailing research avenues that hold significance for future studies on WR.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study employed Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and bibliometric analysis mapping techniques to analyze 521 articles extracted from the Scopus database. The analysis utilized Biblioshiny software and VOSviewer software as the primary tools.
Findings
The findings reveal that WR constitutes a steadily expanding subject discipline, showcasing a notable 9.12% annual growth in scientific production spanning from 1975 to 2023. Australia, the USA, and Canada emerged as the most productive countries within the field of WR, as evidenced by their cumulative scientific production. The thematic map of keyword analysis suggests several burgeoning pathways for future researchers in the WR domain, including workplace learning, functional capacity evaluation, graduate WR, digital literacy, blended learning, resilience, and curriculum.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the WR discourse by providing a comprehensive literature review. The findings of this study hold significance for graduates, universities, employers, the higher education industry, and the broader community.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the chief editor and editorial board of the Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning Journal for their valuable cooperation in the article publication process. Moreover, we thank anonymous reviewers for constructive comments for enhancing the quality of the article. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Citation
Amarathunga, B., Khatibi, A. and Talib, Z.M. (2024), "Work readiness and trending avenues for future studies: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis", Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, Vol. 14 No. 5, pp. 1087-1105. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-10-2023-0280
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited