Investigating the Relationship between Perceived Importance and the Development of Employability Skills: Evidence from Undergraduate Business Students in Higher Education

This study investigates business students’ perceptions of employability skills, focusing on their importance and development through the Decision-Making unit at an international branch campus of an Australian university in Malaysia. Given the growing concern over graduate employability, particularly in the post-COVID-19 Malaysian job market, this research aims to evaluate the skills that students consider most vital and their perception of how effectively these skills are acquired during their studies. A survey of 95 undergraduate business students was carried out online to measure the impact. The survey assessed 15 employability skills, measuring both perceived importance and perceived acquisition/development using a 7-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics revealed that students rated problem-solving, time management and decision-making as the most important skills. Language, digital and presentation skills were rated as the least important. In terms of perceived skill development, analytical, decision-making and digital skills were rated as the most important, which aligns well with the unit’s learning objectives and content. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed moderate, statistically significant positive correlations between perceived importance and acquisition for most skills. The strongest correlations were found in working under pressure, digital skills, and written communication. However, oral communication showed the weakest correlation, highlighting a discrepancy between perceived importance and perceived development. The findings suggest that, although the unit effectively fosters technical and analytical competencies, there are gaps in communication, leadership and interpersonal skills, which are increasingly prioritized by employers. This study identifies trends in employability skills development and guides curriculum design to meet industry needs by recommending more hands-on learning through activities such as presentations, teamwork and leadership to improve results.