Identifying Essential Employability Attributes of MBA Graduates without Work Experience using Grounded Theory

Authors

Puja Ghosh Singh, Department of Business Administration, Aliah University, KolkataFollow
Parveen Ahmed Alam, Department of Business Administration, Aliah University, KolkataFollow
Kaushik Kundu, Department of Business Administration, Aliah University, KolkataFollow

DOI

10.35552/0247.38.2.2153

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify attributes that are essential to increasing the employability of a fresh MBA graduate, i.e., those without any work experience, based on the grounded theory approach. Specifically, the purpose is to explore HR managers’ perceptions of attributes required by fresh MBA graduates to assess their corporate readiness or employability so that they can join the corporate sector. The study utilized Strauss & Corbin’s (1990) method of grounded theory, where 16 human resources professionals at the middle management level were interviewed one by one to get their perspective on the attributes that are essential for MBA graduates without work experience to be ready to join a workplace. These attributes were thematically grouped into five generic attributes. namely, general knowledge, subject/domain knowledge, decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, and operational skills. The implication of this study is that management schools need to update their courses and augment value-added classes that help students develop the five required traits, which will likely make their graduates much more employable.

Recommended Citation

Singh, Puja Ghosh; Alam, Parveen Ahmed; and Kundu, Kaushik (2024) "Identifying Essential Employability Attributes of MBA Graduates without Work Experience using Grounded Theory," An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities): Vol. 38: Iss. 2, Article 4.
DOI: 10.35552/0247.38.2.2153
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/anujr_b/vol38/iss2/4