Applying theory in practice: views of graduating business students

Abstract

PurposeUniversities have traditionally focused on imparting theoretical knowledge, which graduates then transfer to the workplace. However, the unpredictable modern workplace makes this transfer less certain. Whilst the gap between theory and practice has often been considered from an employer and academic standpoint, less is known about the graduate perspective. The purpose of this study is to determine the ways in which theoretical knowledge and practical experience interact for graduating students.Design/methodology/approachThe views of 86 undergraduate business approaching graduation were gathered on how they applied theory to practice during their recent internship.FindingsGraduating students apply theory that they have learnt at university through the direct application of fundamental knowledge and through workplace experience, which built on and deepened the knowledge accumulated at university. The findings indicate that there is, indeed, a gap between theory and practice but that employability skills may assist in the transfer process.Research limitations/implicationsThe research broadens the understanding of how theoretical knowledge is applied in practice and helps to determine if graduating students are prepared to meet the demands of an ever-changing workplace.Practical implicationsThe results give us insight into how theory and practice interact for graduating students and give support to universities further exploring experiential learning opportunities for students and continuing to the development of employability skills.Originality/valueThe findings encourage a more nuanced debate regarding the role of universities and that both the provision of core theoretical concept and employability skills are necessary for graduates to effectively use their academic education in the modern workplace.

Educación continua como factor decisivo de la empleabilidad de una carrera universitaria rumbo a la acreditación

“…Existió una discrepancia con lo manifestado por Benati et al (2021) luego los graduados transfieren al lugar de trabajo, sin embargo, queda claro que en esta institución académica existe una seria preocupación por brindar educación continua de tipo teórico-práctico a sus futuros egresados con la finalidad de prepararlos y entrenarlos para su vida laboral, ésto se vió respaldado por los empleadores ya que el 47.4% manifestaron estar conformes e incluso satisfechos con la participación de los egresados de esta carrera profesional.…”

Innovative design and delivery of the business capstone course

“…While current university graduates and their organizations will face many challenges that they can anticipate – and, through comprehensive planning initiatives, properly prepare for – capstone activities can help students apply what they have learned to novel situations. Ideally, the transfer of skill from one content scenario to another (Benati et al. , 2021) will aid students in recalling and retrieving from their knowledge bank those skills most useful for the work task at hand in any type of organization.…”

“…While current university graduates and their organizations will face many challenges that they can anticipateand, through comprehensive planning initiatives, properly prepare forcapstone activities can help students apply what they have learned to novel situations. Ideally, the transfer of skill from one content scenario to another (Benati et al, 2021) will aid students in recalling and retrieving from their knowledge bank those skills most useful for the work task at hand in any type of organization. However, there will always be organizational threats that are not anticipated but have the potential of impacting contemporary organizations in significant ways, as illustrated by the September 11 terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and weather events which impacted our geographic area, along with the more widespread COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Does extending the internship period in vocational schools of higher education lead to better employment results?: the case of Turkey

“…The main reason for this is that the knowledge gained during formal education is far from practical competence (Crnkovic-Pozaic, 2006). Studies have also revealed that there is indeed a gap between theory and practice (Benati et al, 2021). Internship is the best way to get this practical experience (Gault et al, 2000;Nutefall, 2012); because internship provides a bridge between theory and practice by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learnt in the classroom in the real work environment (Clark, 2003;Divine et al, 2008).…”