Work-readiness integrated competence model: Conceptualisation and scale development

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Author
Prikshat, Verma
Kumar, Sanjeev
Nankervis, Alan
Date
2019-04-15Acceptance date
2019-01-08
Type
Article
acceptedVersion
Publisher
Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
0040-0912
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise graduate work-readiness and to
develop a scale to measure it.
Design/methodology
The methodology entailed the compilation of a literature review and the conduct of qualitative interviews and a focus group to generate items. This study used the ‘resource-based view (RBV)’ approach to conceptualise a multidimensional – ‘Work-readiness integrated competence model (WRICM)’– consisting of four main factors (namely, intellectual, personality, meta skill and job-specific resources), with a further ten sub-dimensions. Further, a series of tests were performed to assess its reliability and validity.
Findings
A final 53 item WRICM scale covering four dimensions and ten sub-dimensions of graduate work-readiness was developed based on the perceptions of 362 HR professionals and managers from seven Asia-Pacific countries. The ten sub-dimensions covering 53 work readiness skills reflect the perceptions of stakeholders
regarding the work-readiness of graduates. The scale was found to be psychometrically
sound for measuring graduate work-readiness.
Research limitations
Though the WRICM model is based on the inputs of different stakeholders of graduate work-readiness (employers, educators, policy-makers and graduates), the development of the WRICM scale is based on the perspectives of industry/employers only.
Practical implications
The WRICM model has implications for education, industry, professional associations, policy-makers and for graduates. These stakeholders can adapt this scale in assessing the work-readiness of graduates in different streams of education.
Originality/value
The authors believe that the WRICM model is the first multi-dimensional construct that is based on a sound theory and from the inputs from graduate work- readiness stakeholders from seven Asia Pacific countries.
Journal/conference proceeding
Education & Training
Description
Article published in Education and Training available at https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-05-2018-0114
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