Status of Professional Skills in MBA Graduates, Its Challenges, and Way Forward in Kathmandu Valley: Evidence from Professional Skill Index

Abstract

Today's MBA courses are continuous preparation-based teaching-learning practice to meet the requirements that industries expect from MBA graduates and further enhance their skills and knowledge that would aid them to fit in the job market. Thus, this study tries to assess the status of professional skills in MBA graduates, its challenges, and the way forward with the help of a professional skill index. Based on descriptive analysis, this study is conducted among 280 employers who employ MBA graduates, and a structured questionnaire was applied to collect information. The purposive sampling method was used to select the samples of 280. The study is conducted in Kathmandu valley as many MBA colleges and banks, finance companies, insurance companies, industries, and many private companies are located in Kathmandu valley. So, the graduates also choose Kathmandu valley in the maximum number to pursue their further career. The study's findings revealed that professional skills are generally looked up into hard skills and soft skills, and 100% of organizations look for professional skills possessed by candidates while hiring them. However, they give 100% attention to soft skills possessed by MBA graduates and 99.2% attention to hard skills possessed. In soft skills, an organization thinks communication skills are must by graduates, whereas they prioritize typing skills hard skill. Therefore, this study concludes that MBA students and colleges should focus on enhancing graduates' communication skills. Likewise, being in today's computerized business world typing skill is a must for graduates. Finally, MBA graduates must develop professional attributes among themselves to fit in today's job market

Employers' Perception towards Need of Profession Skills in MBA Graduates: Evidence from Ordered Logistic Regression

“…Employers' perceptions of the demand for professional skills among MBA graduates are investigated in this study. Bhandari et al (2021) stated that every organization seeks professional skills in MBA graduates while hiring them thus, they must be well prepared with various skills required to fit in any sort of organization. Chia and Holt (2008) in this regard stated that Universities and colleges graduates' students who are not prepared for organizational challenges in real world.…”

“…Students, on the other hand, should equally support them. Then and only then will the process be productive (Bhandari et al, 2021). MBA students in Nepal have a lot of knowledge but are unable to use it.…”

“…It's similar to teamwork, problem solving, self-management, business knowledge, post-coordination literature and numeracy, ICT knowledge, the capacity to use one's own initiative while also following directions, and leadership abilities where applicable (Gowsalya & Kumar, 2015). MBA students and colleges should focus on increasing communication skills among graduates, according to Bhandari et al (2021). Similarly, in today's computerized corporate world, employers want graduates with good typing abilities.…”

Perceptions of Employability of Undergraduate Business Program Graduates: A Qualitative Analysis

“…This study emphasized the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the workplace and possess the necessary employability skills to succeed. Likewise, Bhandari et al (2021) studied business graduate students' professional skills and found that employers search for professional qualities in applications. Both hard and soft skills are sought after by employers when hiring new employees from colleges and universities.…”