Employers' Perceptions Of The Quality Of The Malaysian Business Graduates

The purpose of this study is to look at the quality issue from the perspective of one of the most important customers of higher education institutions, the business firms that hire the business graduates. Specifically, this study determines how well skill requirements match skill preparedness, and the overall preparedness and quality of recent higher education business graduates. The sample of the study consists of 254 companies listed at the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE). Data was collected using mailed questionnaire. Results show that the four most important skills required by employers are the ability to perform assigned tasks, teamwork, initiative and computer literacy. The findings, however, revealed that there is a significant difference between employers’ perception from different industries and the importance of each skill. Regarding the skill preparedness, employers seemed not to be satisfied with the preparedness of higher education institutions in preparing graduates with the skills required. Among the worst prepared skills identified are awareness on global issues, interdisciplinary, written and oral communication (Bahasa Inggeris). The findings also revealed that there is a significant difference between employers’ perception from different industries and higher education institutions preparedness in providing graduates with the skills required. Employers also agree that differences in quality exist between business graduates from public and private, and local and international higher education institutions. Majority of employers prefer to hire local graduates. Finally, the study highlights suggestions on how to improve the quality of business graduates, and also recommendations for further research