Investigating forms of graduate capital and their relationship to perceived employability: an application of PLS predict and IPMA

Abstract

PurposeThe study aims to assess the relationship between cultural capital, human capital, psychological capital, social capital and perceived employability of management graduates.Design/methodology/approachThe data was analysed through variance based partial least square (PLS) structural equation modelling on 505 management students by an online questionnaire. The predictive relevance of perceived employability was investigated with PLS predict approach. Further, importance-performance map analysis (IPMA) was applied to assess important and performing dimensions of perceived employability.FindingsThe results indicate that social capital was found to be the strongest predictor of graduates' perceived employability. The proposed conceptual model was found to have a moderate to high predictive relevance. IPMA results suggested that investment in psychological capital leads to higher return in perceived employability of management graduates.Research limitations/implicationsData was collected using purposive sampling and confined to university students only.Practical implicationsFindings of the study provide empirical inferences in support of human capital, social capital and social cognitive theory. Practical implications offer important inputs to policy makers, higher educational institutes, career counsellors and universities.Originality/valueThis study provides novel inputs by a comprehensive model of graduate capital to determine and predict perceived employability of graduates in emerging economy like India.

The push-pull factor model and its implications for the retention of international students in the host country

“…Literature shows that several factors influence international graduates' decisions to stay or leave the host country such as political, personal and social factors (Agnihotri et al, 2023;Bredenkamp et al, 2023;Fowlie and Forder, 2018;Li and Bray, 2007). Farivar et al (2019) explored push-pull factors related to international student mobility by examining graduates who changed their initial career mobility intentions, despite originally planning to leave the host country after graduation.…”

“…Literature shows that several factors influence international graduates' decisions to stay or leave the host country such as political, personal and social factors (Agnihotri et al ., 2023; Bredenkamp et al ., 2023; Fowlie and Forder, 2018; Li and Bray, 2007). Farivar et al.…”

Impact of micro-credential learning on students' perceived employability: the mediating role of human capital

“…The findings ascertain social capital significantly impacts perceived employability. Similarly, the findings determine social capital as the strongest predictor of graduates' perceived employability (Agnihotri et al ., 2022). Moreover, the current study validates the network theory of social capital and Bourdieu and Richardson (1986), as it suggests that students can significantly avail advantages from social networks and connections.…”

Conceptualisation and Operationalisation of the Personal Brand V.A.L.U.E. Career Development Tool

“…The ability dimension aligns with the Conservation of Resources theory (Hobfoll, 1989), whereby acquiring personal resources, including psychological resources such as resilience, can lead to increased employability and well-being (Nimmi et al, 2021;. Furthermore, ability is linked to forms of graduate and employability capital (Agnihotri et al, 2023;Pham & Jackson, 2020) and the indicators of a sustainable career of health, happiness, and productivity (Van der Heijden & De Vos, 2015). Ability thus reflects the need for an individual to equip themselves with the necessary competencies and mindset to navigate contemporary labour markets (Marine, 2023), whereby psychological strengths and skill enhancement can facilitate an individual's ability to navigate uncertainty in the labour market (Nimmi et al, 2023).…”