Employability of IT graduates from the industry’s perspective: a case study in Turkey

Investigation of employers’ performance expectations for new IT graduates in individual and team work settings for software development

“…The dynamic and complex conditions encountered in the workplace of computer and software companies are not always fulfilled by the new graduates’ qualifications, leading to failures in software development and, consequently, dissatisfaction among employers. (Andrews and Higson, 2008; Turhan and Akman, 2013).…”

“…For example, in their studies, Kiffin-Petersen and Cordery (2003) examine employee attitudes toward team work; Andrews and Higson (2008) perform an exploratory study investigating the viewpoints of graduates and employers in four European countries; Selvadurai et al (2012) study the required generic skills of graduates from employer’s perspectives; DuPre and Williams (2011) examine undergraduates’ perceptions regarding the expectations of their prospective employers; Balamohan et al (2015) investigate the role of emotional intelligence on individual performance, leadership and team effectiveness; Lau et al (2016) explores the exptectations regarding the IT skills for Vietnam; Malik and Venkatraman (2017) compare the employer expectations with the employee skills in India; Ramadi et al (2016) analyze the gap between the managers’ expectations and satisfaction in engineering in the MENA region; and, lastly, Costa et al (2014) present a model for team work engagement. Additionally, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) gives higher emphasis to professional competencies (Turhan and Akman, 2013; Shuman et al , 2005) than curricular course details since they are nearly standard in almost all IT departments. Furthermore, Mukhtar et al (2009) and Pool and Sewell (2007) also pointed out the changing nature of competencies and, therefore, the need for further research for a better chance of occupational satisfaction and success (Turhan and Akman, 2013).…”

“…Additionally, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) gives higher emphasis to professional competencies (Turhan and Akman, 2013; Shuman et al , 2005) than curricular course details since they are nearly standard in almost all IT departments. Furthermore, Mukhtar et al (2009) and Pool and Sewell (2007) also pointed out the changing nature of competencies and, therefore, the need for further research for a better chance of occupational satisfaction and success (Turhan and Akman, 2013).…”

Transmitting competencies at universities: employability readiness of students

“…Therefore, the most important dimension in measuring the efficiency of universities is not outputs evaluated in a university, but outcomes evaluated in the labour market (Rodman et al , 2013; Sum and Jessop, 2013; Martini and Fabbris, 2015). Despite this, employers’ expectations on the employability of graduates are often ignored (Turhan and Akman, 2013; Cheng, 2014). Mason et al (2009, p. 2) defines employability as “skills, knowledge, attitudes and commercial understanding that will enable new graduates to make productive contributions to organisational objectives soon after commencing employment”.…”

An evaluation of employability in maritime degree programmes: the undergraduate students' perspectives

“…Mesleki yönü uzun yıllardır güçlü olan 'denizcilik' alanının da göreceli olarak bu disiplinler arasında yer aldığı söyle-nebilir. Buna ek olarak hukuk, tıp ve mühendislik alanlarının da mesleki yönü güçlü olan diğer akademik programlar olduğunu da ifade etmek gereklidir (Turhan & Akman, 2013;Yıldırım et al,2011). Denizcilik alanı için bu durumun ortaya çıkmasının nedenleri arasında taşımacılık sektöründeki birçok kariyerle ve sektöre lojistik sağlayan karasal işlerle doğrudan ilgisi olması sayılabilir (Cicek & Er, 2008).…”