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Article
Publication date: 11 February 2019

Innocent Otache

The purpose of this paper is to conceptually explore the relationship between Entrepreneurship Education (EE) and undergraduate students’ self- and paid-employment intentions…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conceptually explore the relationship between Entrepreneurship Education (EE) and undergraduate students’ self- and paid-employment intentions. Specifically, the paper aims to examine the effect of paid-employment intention on the relationship between EE and self-employment intention.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviewed extensively related literature on EE, entrepreneurial intentions and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). The detailed literature review undertaken formed the basis for the development of the conceptual framework.

Findings

It is found that undergraduate students have two opposing employment intentions within them, namely, self- and paid-employment intentions. The two employment intentions interact and have a tendency to dominate each other, and consequently lead to different employment behaviours. The dominant employment intention determines whether a graduate will exhibit self- or paid-employment behaviour. This confirms that graduates are faced with two career paths or choices, namely, self- and paid-employment.

Research limitations/implications

It is not an empirical paper. Thus, the conceptual framework needs to be further empirically tested. More specifically, the proposition that undergraduate students’ paid-employment intentions moderate the impact of EE on their self-employment intentions needs to be empirically validated.

Practical implications

This paper provides some insightful and practical implications for the government and the policymakers in the education sector, particularly in tackling the menace of graduate unemployment and its associated problems. It provides an insight into the problem of graduate unemployment. The government and the policymakers should initiate enlightenment programmes that will reorient undergraduate students away from having the mentality of securing paid-jobs after graduation. Equally, undergraduate students should be enlightened about the difficulties in securing paid-jobs and the benefits of being a self-employed graduate.

Originality/value

It is the first to explore the moderating effect of undergraduate students’ paid-employment intentions on the relationship between EE and their self-employment intentions. Therefore, it makes a valuable contribution to the existing literature on EE and entrepreneurial intentions. It further strengthens the TPB by applying it to explain how undergraduate students’ paid-employment intentions could neutralise the impact of EE on their self-employment intentions.

Details

Education + Training, vol. 61 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2002

Catherine Watts

The article reports on a study which aimed to examine to what extent students’ academic performance is affected by their part‐time, term‐time employment and to explore individual…

5991

Abstract

The article reports on a study which aimed to examine to what extent students’ academic performance is affected by their part‐time, term‐time employment and to explore individual perceptions of the phenomenon using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study was conducted during the academic year 1999/2000 and involved full‐time undergraduates from the BA in Business Studies programme at the University of Brighton. A total of 12 semi‐structured individual interviews were conducted and a quantitative dimension was included to provide a more objective picture to the student perceptions. The key findings are discussed under the following headings: issues for the students; issues for the academic staff; issues for employers; issues for the institution.

Details

Education + Training, vol. 44 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 September 2013

Karen Burrows and Nick Wragg

Enhancing student opportunity and providing an outstanding learning experience within an increasingly competitive market requires a multifaceted approach to learning. This paper…

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Abstract

Purpose

Enhancing student opportunity and providing an outstanding learning experience within an increasingly competitive market requires a multifaceted approach to learning. This paper aims to show how a social enterprise initiative can help students differentiate their offering to the workplace and in doing so develop skills that promote elegant self-management.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is a continuous project to gather data to evaluate on the effectiveness of enterprise activities and will incorporate both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, through what is largely an action research study.

Findings

This paper presents one approach to the challenge of student engagement, by encouraging choice and being proactive in adding value to CV's, through student led practical initiatives. Lecturers assist in managing student expectation and embedding realism; the realism of the need for transferable employability skills, and the challenges and opportunities faced during times of change. By enthusing students (and feedback suggests this is happening in our current project) a virtuous circle is created, manifested in increased graduate student employment and a competitive edge.

Originality/value

This is an experiential project of creating an enterprise committee which enhances the learning experience, teaches students how to take theory and apply it in real situations, and builds their confidence. By linking vocational and reflective modules’ to entrepreneurial skills, a balance is struck not just between academia and employability but also work and life, addressing the contemporary challenge of not just teaching students business theory or employability skills but of practical self-management.

Article
Publication date: 29 June 2023

Jialiang Xie, Wenxin Wang, Yanling Chen, Feng Li and Xiaohui Liu

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel interval Multi-Objective Optimization by a Ratio Analysis plus the Full Multiplicative Form(MULTIMOORA) with combination weights to…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel interval Multi-Objective Optimization by a Ratio Analysis plus the Full Multiplicative Form(MULTIMOORA) with combination weights to evaluate the employment quality of college graduates, where the criteria are expressed by interval numbers and the weights of criteria are completely unknown.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, considering the subjective uncertainty of the weights of the criteria, the interval best worst method (I-BWM) was present to determine the subjective weights of the criteria. Secondly, by the improved interval number distance measure, an improved interval deviation maximization method (I-MDM) was introduced to detemine the objective weights. In the following, based on the I-BWM and the improved I-MDM, a combination weighting method that takes into account the subjective and objective weights is proposed. Finally, a multi-criteria decision-making method based on the interval MULTIMOORA with combination weights is present to evaluate the employment quality of college graduates, and then a comparative analysis with some of the existing distance measures of interval numberswas conducted to illustrate the flexibility.

Findings

According to the data of the Report on Employment Quality of Chinese College Graduats released by Mycos Research Institute in 2016–2020 and 2021–2022, the proposed method was used to evaluate the employment quality of college graduates during the period before and after the COVID-19 epidemic. The results verify that the method is more reasonable because the subjective and objective weights of the criteria can be fully considered. Finally, the feasibility and practicability of the proposed method are further verified by varying parameters.

Originality/value

Present an evaluation method on the employment quality of college graduates based on the Interval MULTIMOORA with combination weights considering the subjective and objective weights. And the proposed method is proved that it can provide a more reasonable evaluation results. At the same time, it is verified that the feasibility and the practicability of the proposed method are affected by varying parameters in the paper.

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Computing and Cybernetics, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-378X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2006

Lindsay Noble Calkins and Andrew Welki

In the fall of 1996, Walstad suggested that the economics profession needed to obtain the students' perspective on the choice of major. The purpose of this paper is to examine the…

12852

Abstract

Purpose

In the fall of 1996, Walstad suggested that the economics profession needed to obtain the students' perspective on the choice of major. The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence the choice of major.

Design/methodology/approach

To recruit majors and to address Walstad's concern, economics and non‐economics majors were surveyed to determine which factors they consider important when choosing a major and to better understand why some students never consider economics.

Findings

The results suggest that interest in the subject, expected marketability, performance in major classes, and the approachability and teaching reputation of the faculty are influential to the choice of major.

Originality/value

The results may help the profession address enrollment issues, including the disproportionate number of women in the major.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 33 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 November 2008

Kathryn Fonner and Michael Roloff

Economic insecurity has had a major impact on employees; however, much less is known about its relationship to the expectations of individuals as they prepare to enter the…

Abstract

Purpose

Economic insecurity has had a major impact on employees; however, much less is known about its relationship to the expectations of individuals as they prepare to enter the full‐time professional workplace. This study aims to focuss on relationships between negative workplace information and emotional support communicated by social networks and the development of undergraduates' pre‐employment schemas.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of university upperclassman was conducted, resulting in a sample of 153 participants. Correlations and linear regressions were used to test hypotheses.

Findings

Results indicated that the emotional support undergraduates receive from parents and employed friends is more strongly related to their workplace expectations than the specific information they receive regarding downsizing, the faltering economy, and job insecurity.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected using self‐report surveys. Future research should examine “non‐traditional” undergraduates who may have greater work experience and exposure to the workplace. Further exploration of work‐related discussion content, and whether it differs across cultures, is also warranted.

Originality/value

This study offers insight into the relationship between interpersonal discussions about the workplace ‐ and specifically emotional support during those discussions – to undergraduates' pre‐employment schemas. Study results contribute uniquely to the socialization literature by confirming the crucial role of friends as sources of information and emotional support during later stages of the anticipatory socialization process.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 May 2020

Tong Sheng Tan, Eivon Lim and Yiing Jia Loke

The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of term-time employment among undergraduate students and to identify the factors that affect the number of working hours…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of term-time employment among undergraduate students and to identify the factors that affect the number of working hours in term-time employment. The study also aims to explore if students work during term time due to self-development or financial needs.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 400 undergraduates in a public university in Malaysia. A Tobit regression model was used to identify the factors that can significantly explain the varying working hours per week in the student sample.

Findings

Only 20.8% of the students in the sample undertook term-time employment, with an average of 16 working hours a week. The financial motivations to work were driven more by the need to sustain a desired lifestyle compared to financing basic living expenses. Students’ perceptions towards term-time employment significantly affected their working hours and likelihood of undertaking term-time employment.

Practical implications

As students want to excel academically and at the same time gain working experience and skills, universities may want to revisit the higher education curriculum and reconsider the course credit weightage for academic and practical experience.

Originality/value

Instead of just documenting the number of working hours among students, the study empirically explores the factors that affect the number of working hours and sheds light on the allocation of time and priorities by students among academics, self-development and social life.

Details

Education + Training, vol. 62 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 April 2018

Melissa James and Dongkoo Yun

The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that affect higher education student satisfaction and to understand students’ perceptions of their academic success and future…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that affect higher education student satisfaction and to understand students’ perceptions of their academic success and future employment expectations at a particular institution.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes institutional performance related to students’ satisfaction and their preparedness for future employment endeavours. The questionnaire is designed specifically for students who are eligible to graduate, and the survey is implemented over the institutional website via the student portal and a total of 750°-seeking undergraduate students (target population) are invited to participate.

Findings

The descriptive results of this study suggest that while student satisfaction may be relatively similar for all academic programmes, there are differences in the perception of career expectations based on chosen academic programme. Most notably, the results also indicate students’ expectations for employment did not have a negative effect on their satisfaction with the higher education institution (HEI). In contrast, they were mostly satisfied with their academic and personal development. In essence, they felt prepared for the workplace and satisfied with the skills and knowledge developed at a university, regardless of job expectations. This paper suggests that institutions may wish to heighten their focus on academic factors in their efforts to retain students and improve their student academic experience.

Originality/value

This study is conducted at a small-sized (less than 5,000 students) higher institution in Canada that primarily provides undergraduate courses and focusses on students’ employment expectations and their rating of the academic experiences. This study can assist HEIs in developing policies related to student retention and success. HEIs may find this study useful in developing policies and programmes related to transitioning from undergraduate studies to the workplace.

Details

Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-3896

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 24 May 2017

Martin Bosompem, Samuel K. N. Dadzie and Edwin Tandoh

Agriculture and related businesses in Ghana for the past decades have been the preserve for the smallholder, aged and illiterate farmers. Meanwhile, hundreds of students graduate…

Abstract

Agriculture and related businesses in Ghana for the past decades have been the preserve for the smallholder, aged and illiterate farmers. Meanwhile, hundreds of students graduate in Agricultural Sciences from the universities over the years. This study seeks to investigate potential determinants of the entrepreneurial spirit of agricultural students to do self-employed businesses in the agricultural sector. A survey of 165 undergraduate students of agriculture in the University of Cape Coast, Ghana was undertaken to examine factors that influence their decision to enter into agribusiness as a self-employment venture after graduation. The results show that the majority of the students were males (87%) and approximately, 67% were willing to enter into agribusiness after school. The factors that students perceived to be hindrance to entering into agribusiness was the market competition of agro-products with imported products, unstable prices of agro-products, absence of insurance policy for agribusiness and unfavourable land tenure arrangement in Ghana. Correlation analysis showed negative and significant relationship between students’ willingness to enter agribusiness as a self-employment venture and the following personal characteristics: (1) level of education of mother, (2) level of education of guardian other than parents, (3) students who live in farming communities and (4) students who undertake farming activities at home. There were also positive and significant relationships between students’ willingness to enter agribusiness and the following: (1) availability of market for agro-products, (2) accessibility of market for agro-products and (3) accessibility of transportation facilities for agribusiness. Regression analysis showed that (1) level of education of mother, (2) students living in farming communities, (3) accessibility of transportation facilities for agribusiness and (4) accessibility of market for agro-product were the factors that best predict undergraduate agricultural students’ willingness to enter into agribusiness as a self-employment venture after graduation. To motivate students to take agribusiness as self-employment after graduation, the study suggests the development of comprehensive and sustainable long-term policy to inspire and attract the youth into agribusiness; creation of conducive environment to minimise risk and constraints associated with agribusiness in Ghana.

Details

Entrepreneurship Education
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-280-0

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2016

Osama El-Temtamy, K. Kathleen O'Neill and Sadiq Midraj

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between female undergraduate student participation in a university-sponsored employment skills development program and…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between female undergraduate student participation in a university-sponsored employment skills development program and employment post-graduation.

Design/methodology/approach

From historical institutional data a random sample was analyzed using the logistic regression model. The main variable investigated was participation in the World of Work (WOW) program during undergraduate study. It was hypothesized that participation would contribute positively to the probability of employment after graduation.

Findings

Grade point average at the time of graduation was also expected to have a positive relationship with employability. The study found that those who participated in the WOW program while undergraduates were more 6.7 times more likely to find post-graduate employment than non-participants.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected at a single institution as such findings may not be generalizable.

Practical implications

This study provides support for the inclusion of employability training at the tertiary level and provides evidence to support resourcing such initiatives.

Social implications

The study supports the development of work-ready, nationals and to supplying the UAE economy with needed human capital, in particular the goal of Emiratization.

Originality/value

This study is of one of very few in the Arabian Gulf region to examine employability factors of university graduates.

Details

Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, vol. 6 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-3896

Keywords

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