Graduates’ expectation gap: the role of employers and Higher Learning Institutes

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the difference between fresh graduates’ expectations and actual experiences regarding work environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire-based survey was employed on 170 Malaysian fresh graduates. They were evaluated on the basis of their expectations and actual experiences which enabled the researcher to determine gaps.

Findings

Using paired sample t-test it was found that there exist gaps regarding what fresh graduates expect and their actual experience regarding work environment. Leadership communication and decision making were found to be significantly related with job satisfaction whereas leadership was found to be related with organizational commitment.

Research limitations/implications

The study used a selected sample from Malaysian graduates, the results might be different if samples are taken from a geographically different area.

Practical implications

The study has implications for fresh graduates, employers and higher learning organization.

Originality/value

Limited studies have examined fresh graduates regarding what they were expecting and actually experienced in the workplace. Moreover, the study also identifies how these gaps influence graduates’ job satisfaction and organizational commitment.

Citation

Islam, T., Ahmed, I., Khalifah, Z., Sadiq, M. and Faheem, M.A. (2015), "Graduates’ expectation gap: the role of employers and Higher Learning Institutes", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp. 372-384. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-05-2014-0056