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University to work transition: a literature review

Filomena Izzo (Department of Economics, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Capua, Italy)
Stefania Mele (Department of Economics, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy)
Mario Mustilli (Department of Economics, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Capua, Italy)

International Journal of Manpower

ISSN: 0143-7720

Article publication date: 25 April 2022

Issue publication date: 13 December 2022

581

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to describe the role universities should play in student to work transition.

Design/methodology/approach

An objective bibliometric analysis is conducted and supported by qualitative assessments based on authors’ study of relevant papers.

Findings

Two themes emerge from the analysis: the first on the university's role in students' learning, skills and fits, in the transition process; the second on the university's role in engagement, motivation and support students in university-to-work transition.

Research limitations/implications

From the analysis, no indications emerge on how universities could contribute to student-to-work transition in the context of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development objectives. Furthermore, training students for the future is not an easy assignment in a fast-changing ecosystem. How can higher education prepare students to face future challenges if we only have partial and incomplete perceptions about possible futures? This vexes many policymakers, organisational leaders and educators. Finally, it could be an interesting next step to repeat the Bibliometrix research using subfield keywords to analyse revealed gaps.

Practical implications

The study shows that the topic analysed is complex from the managerial, political and social points of view. The issues addressed by studies in UWT so far, concern various aspects: development of student identity, student engagement, fit between higher education and labour market, student motivation, student emotions and learning approaches. The university-to-work transition theme has become a work in progress effort and will most likely continue for the foreseeable future.

Originality/value

Since research into university-to-work transition is fragmented, a comprehensive view of this theme seems necessary. Given the importance of the subject, this study will endeavour to fill this gap with an overall and organic perspective of the issue. This is one of the first attempts to grasp this research stream, which, over time, has paved the way to the intersection between “university-to-work transition” in business, management and educational fields.

Keywords

Citation

Izzo, F., Mele, S. and Mustilli, M. (2022), "University to work transition: a literature review", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 43 No. 7, pp. 1502-1515. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-07-2021-0398

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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