The Relationship between Industrial Work Practices and Employer Satisfaction with Higher Education Graduates

HRMARS - Purpose: This study investigates the impact of industrial work practices to employer satisfaction towards higher education graduate domicile from Sabah, Malaysia perspective specifically working in public and private sectors. The research is intended to address concerns that graduates tend not to have what it takes in the workplace even when armed with sufficient academic knowledge. Design/methodology/approach: The research used a quantitative approach with a questionnaire instrument administered to 80 employers drawn from the private and government sector. Employer satisfaction was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and multiple regression to determine the influence of work practices in industry. Findings: Industrial practices appear to be influential in determining employer satisfaction Findings. In the private sector, adaptability and instrumental skills were highlighted as important, while in the public sector formal qualifications and rule-based knowledge were preferred by employers. It was also discovered that the organization of work in manufacturing industries and employer sector is related to lower-level satisfaction. Research limitations/implications: The sampling was only 80 employers in Sabah which may influence generalizability. Cross-sectional data reflect perceptions at a single period, and other sectors (e.g., NGOs or multinational corporations) were excluded. Practical implications: Highlights the value of including structured industrial training within tertiary curricula and working towards stronger form of universities links with industry partners in order to prepare graduates more effectively for industry needs. Originality/value: This study adds to our knowledge on how industrial work practices impact employer satisfaction in both public and private sectors, highlighting sector-specific idiosyncrasies in graduates’ readiness for the workplace and employability.