This present study's objective is to examine the relationship between university characteristics, and entrepreneurial orientation, towards employability among Malaysian public university undergraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is important to identify the influencing factors for graduates’ employability in Malaysia. The study integrated these variables under the theoretical lens of the resource-based view. In this study, a quantitative method was used. An online survey questionnaire was distributed to 20 public universities in Malaysia. A total of 433 graduates from the year 2016 until 2019 were respondents considered in this study. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the validity and reliability of the measurement model and structural model to check the relationships of the constructs. The findings of the study showed that university characteristics and entrepreneurial orientation have significant influences on graduates’ employability in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings provide theoretical and practical implications to public universities and policymakers of Malaysia. This study only focused on public universities in Malaysia which are considered limitations of this study. Therefore, recommendations for future research work should be focused on post-COVID-19 in similar conceptual research.
Advant, S. B., & Makhirja, S. J. (2003). Quality and education. DLM Singh, RK Quality education: opportunities and challenges in the 21st century. 20-30.Delhi: Abijeet Publc.
Afonso, A., Ramirez, J. J., & Diaz-Puente, J. M. (2012). University-industry cooperation in the education domain to foster competitiveness and employment. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 46, 3947–3953. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.06.177
Ali, E., Che’ Rus, R., Haron, M. A., & Hussain, M. A. M. (2018). Kebolehpasaran Graduan Pendidikan Teknikal Dan Vokasional: Satu Analisis. Sains Humanika, 10(33). https://doi.org/10.11113/sh.v10n3-3.1510
Anstine, J. (2013). Graduation rates at U.S. Colleges and universities: a large data set analysis. Business Education & Accreditation, 5(2), 55-64.
Ayarkwa, J., Adinyira, E., & Osei?Asibey, D. (2012). Industrial training of constructionstudents: perceptions of training organizations in Ghana. Education + Training, 54(2/3), 234–249. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400911211210323
Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920639101700108
Baskaran, S., Nallaluthan, K., & Kunjuraman, V. (2021). Perception and readiness towards Indian Ayurvedic medicine acceptance to combat COVID-19 outbreak: A multigroup analysis in PLS path modelling. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 12(2), 318–331. https://doi.org/10.47552/ijam.v12i3.1874
Bell, R. (2016). Unpacking the link between entrepreneurialism and employability. Education + Training, 58(1), 2–17. https://doi.org/10.1108/et-09-2014-0115
Bhanugopan, R., & Fish, A. (2009). Achieving graduate employability through consensus in the South Pacific island nation. Education + Training, 51(2), 108–123.
https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910910941273
Bustamam, U. S. A., Mutalib, M. A., & Yusof, S. N. M. (2015). Graduate employability through entrepreneurship: A case study at USIM. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 211, 1117–1121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.11.149
Cain, M. K., Zhang, Z., & Yuan, K. H. (2016). Univariate and multivariate skewness and kurtosis for measuring nonnormality: Prevalence, influence, and estimation. Behavior Research Methods, 49(5), 1716–1735. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-016-0814-1
Charney, A., & Libecap, G. D. (2000). The impact of entrepreneurship education: an evaluation of the berger entrepreneurship program at the University of Arizona, 1985–1999. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1262343
Cheong, H. F., & Cheong, C. Y. M. (2021). Post-COVID-19 job preparedness in Malaysia: Insights from future jobseekers. In COVID-19, Business, and Economy in Malaysia (pp. 121-140). Routledge.
Chin, W. W., Marcolin, B. L., & Newsted, P. R. (2003). A partial least squares latent variable modeling approach for measuring interaction effects: Results from a Monte Carlo simulation study and an electronic-mail emotion/adoption study. Information Systems Research, 14(2), 189–217. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.14.2.189.16018
Covin, J. G., & Slevin, D. P. (1989). Strategic management of small firms in hostile and benign environments. Strategic Management Journal, 10(1), 75–87.
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250100107
Duval-Couetil, N. (2013). Assessing the impact of entrepreneurship education programs: Challenges and approaches. Journal of Small Business Management, 51(3), 394–409. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsbm.12024
Franke, G., & Sarstedt, M. (2019). Heuristics versus statistics in discriminant validity testing: a comparison of four procedures. Internet Research, 29(3), 430–447.
https://doi.org/10.1108/intr-12-2017-0515
Ghouri, A. M., Akhtar, P., Haq, M. A., Mani, V., Arsenyan, G., & Meyer, M. (2021). Real-time information sharing, customer orientation, and the exploration of intra-service industry differences: Malaysia as an emerging market. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 167, 120684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120684
Ghouri, A. M., & Mani, V. (2019). Role of real-time information-sharing through SaaS: An industry 4.0 perspective. International Journal of Information Management, 49, 301-315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2019.05.026
Gorostiaga, A., Aliri, J., Ulacia, I., Soroa, G., Balluerka, N., Aritzeta, A., & Muela, A. (2019). Assessment of entrepreneurial orientation in vocational training Students: Development of a new scale and relationships with self-efficacy and personal initiative. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01125
Ha, S. T., Lo, M. C., & Ramayah, T. (2016). Decomposing market orientation and its relationship to innovativeness of SMEs in Malaysia: the moderating effects of market turbulence. Journal for International Business and Entrepreneurship Development, 9(3), 273. https://doi.org/10.1504/jibed.2016.077745
Hahn, E. D., & Ang, S. H. (2017). From the editors: New directions in the reporting of statistical results in the Journal of World Business. Journal of World Business, 52(2), 125–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2016.12.003
Hair Jr, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2021). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). SAGE publications.
Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2–24. https://doi.org/10.1108/ebr-11-2018-0203
Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2014). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43(1), 115–135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0403-8
Hiew, W., Tibok, R. P., Ngui, W., Gabda, D., & Suyansah, Q. (2021). Science Graduate Employability and English Language Proficiency: Findings from a Malaysian Public University. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 20(7), 23-43 https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.20.7.2
Hornsby, J. S., Kuratko, D. F., & Montagno, R. V. (1999). Perception of internal factors for corporate entrepreneurship: A comparison of Canadian and U.S. managers. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 24(2), 9–24.
https://doi.org/10.1177/104225879902400202
Iglesias-Sánchez, P. P., Jambrino-Maldonado, C., Velasco, A. P., & Kokash, H. (2016). Impact of entrepreneurship programmes on university students. Education + Training, 58(2), 209–228. https://doi.org/10.1108/et-01-2015-0004
Kamaruddin, M. I. H., Ahmad, A., Husain, M. A., & Abd Hamid, S. N. (2020). Graduate employability post-COVID-19: the case of a Malaysian public university. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 11(3), 710–724.
https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-05-2020-0114
Kardi, N., Hashim, A. R., Yusoff, M. N., Hassan, S., Ahmad, N. H., Hanizan, M. Z., Azlan, Y., and Shafie, I. (2009). Enhancing employability initiatives: Malaysia experience. Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) Conference 2009. 20–22 May, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Kin, T. M., Kareem, O. A., Musa, K., Ghouri, A. M., & Khan, N. R. (2020). Leading sustainable schools in the era of Education 4.0: Identifying school leadership competencies in Malaysian secondary schools. International Journal of Management in Education, 14(6), 580-610.
Kirby, D. A. (2004). Entrepreneurship education: can business schools meet the challenge? Education + Training, 46(8/9), 510–519.
https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910410569632
Kock, N. (2015). Common method bias in PLS-SEM. International Journal of E-Collaboration, 11(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijec.2015100101
Kock, N., & Lynn, G. (2012). Lateral collinearity and misleading results in variance-based SEM: An Illustration and recommendations. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 13(7), 546–580. https://doi.org/10.17705/1jais.00302
Kong, E., & Prior, D. (2007). An intellectual capital perspective of competitive advantage in nonprofit organisations. International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing, 13(2), 119–128. https://doi.org/10.1002/nvsm.315
Krosnick, J. A. (1991). Response strategies for coping with the cognitive demands of attitude measures in surveys. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 5(3), 213–236.
https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.2350050305
Laguador, J. M., & Ramos, L. R. (2014). Industry-partners’ preferences for graduates: Input on curriculum development. Journal of Education and Literature, 1(1), 1-8.
McIlveen, P., & Pensiero, D. (2008). Transition of graduates from backpack?to?briefcase: A case study. Education + Training, 50(6), 489–499.
https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910810901818
Minniti, M. (2006). Entrepreneurs examined. Business Strategy Review, 17(4), 78–82. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0955-6419.2006.00440.x
Ni, L. B. (2022a). challenges and opportunities for history education teachers: post covid-19 pandemic era. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 7(3), e001334-e001334. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v7i3.1334
Ni, L. B. (2022b). Cabaran dan Peluang Penempatan Guru Pendidikan Sejarah: Era Pasca Pandemik Covid-19. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(1), 216-229. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v7i1.1238
Nuwagaba, A. (2012). Toward addressing skills development and employment crisis in Uganda: The role of public private partnerships. Eastern Africa Social Science Research Review, 28(1), 91–116. https://doi.org/10.1353/eas.2012.0004
Pouratashi, M., & Zamani, A. (2019). University and graduates employability. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 9(3), 290–304.
https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-12-2017-0103
Rae, D. (2007). Connecting enterprise and graduate employability. Education + Training, 49(8/9), 605–619. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910710834049
Rabayah, K. S., & Sartawi, B. (2008). Enhancing the labour market prospects of ICT students in a developing country. Education + Training, 50(3), 244–259.
https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910810874017
Ramayah, T., Cheah, J., Chuah, F., Ting, H., & Memon, M. A. (2018). Partial least squares structural equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 3.0: An updated guide and practical guide to statistical analysis (2nd ed.). Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Pearson.
Raybould, J., & Sheedy, V. (2005). Are graduates equipped with the right skills in the employability stakes? Industrial and Commercial Training, 37(5), 259–263. https://doi.org/10.1108/00197850510609694
Ringle, C. M., Wende, S., & Becker, J.-M. (2015). “SmartPLS 3.” Boenningstedt: SmartPLS GmbH, http://www.smartpls.com
Roscoe, J. T. (1975). Fundamental research statistics for the behavioural sciences, New York: Holt.
Sapian, M. K., Jizat, M. J. E., Zainol, Z., Nallaluthan, K., & Hanafi, N. (2022). The Influencing Factors towards Graduates Employability among Malaysian Public University Undergraduates from 2016 until 2019. International Business Education Journal, 15(1), 44-56. https://doi.org/10.37134/ibej.vol15.1.4.2022
Sato, S., Kang, T. A., Daigo, E., Matsuoka, H., & Harada, M. (2021). Graduate employability and higher education’s contributions to human resource development in sport business before and after COVID-19. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 28, 100306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2021.100306
Sav, G. T. (2012). Four-stage DEA efficiency evaluations: Financial reforms in public university funding. International Journal of Economics and Finance, 5(1), 24-33. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijef.v5n1p24
Schlesselman, L., & Coleman, C. I. (2013). College and school of pharmacy characteristics associated With US News and world report rankings. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 77(3), 55. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe77355
Saunders, M. N., & Lewis, P. (2017). Doing research in business and management. Pearson.
Seibert, S. E., Kraimer, M. L., & Crant, J. M. (2001). What do proactive people do? A longitudinal model linking proactive personality and career success. Personnel Psychology, 54(4), 845–874. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2001.tb00234.x
Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2016). Research methods for business: A skill building approach. John Wiley & Sons.
Shmueli, G., Ray, S., Velasquez Estrada, J. M., & Chatla, S. B. (2016). The elephant in the room: Predictive performance of PLS models. Journal of Business Research, 69(10), 4552–4564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2016.03.049
Shmueli, G., Sarstedt, M., Hair, J. F., Cheah, J. H., Ting, H., Vaithilingam, S., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). Predictive model assessment in PLS-SEM: guidelines for using PLSpredict. European Journal of Marketing, 53(11), 2322–2347. https://doi.org/10.1108/ejm-02-2019-0189
Shahriar, M. S., Islam, K., Zayed, N. M., Hasan, K., & Raisa, T. S. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on Bangladesh's economy: A focus on graduate employability. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 8(3), 1395-1403.
https://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2021.vol8.no3.1395
Suleman, F. (2016). Employability skills of higher education graduates: Little consensus on a much-discussed subject. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 228, 169–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.07.025
Torres-Machi, C., Carrion, A., Yepes, V., & Pellicer, E. (2013). Employability of graduate students in construction management. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 139(2), 163–170. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)ei.1943-5541.0000139
Walker, A., Storey, K. M., Costa, B. M., & Leung, R. K. (2015). Refinement and validation of the Work Readiness Scale for graduate nurses. Nursing Outlook, 63(6), 632–638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2015.06.001
Williams, S. D. (2014). A strategic resource-based view of higher education institutions’ resources. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 5(12), 8-23.
Yamane, T. (1973). Statistics: an introductory analysis. New York: Harper & Row.
Yusof, A. R. B. M., & Ghouri, A. M. (2013). Educational service quality and customer satisfaction index at public higher educational institutions. Indian Journal of Commerce and Management Studies, 4(1), 43-49.
In-Text Citation: (Nallaluthan et al., 2022)
To Cite this Article: Nallaluthan, K., Jizat, J. E. M., Zainol, Z., Ghouri, A. M., & Sapian, M. K. (2022). Influencing Factors for Graduates’ Employability - A Study on Malaysia and COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences. 12(7), 1573 – 1586.
Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s)
Published by Knowledge Words Publications (www.kwpublications.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
