Malaysian Graduates Employability in Post Covid-19: A Swot Analysis

Authors

  • Wong Sing Yun Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
  • Beh Chi Yi Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191//jibe.v9i1.102

Keywords:

Covid-19, Employability, Graduates, SWOT, Malaysia

Abstract

The widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted numerous facets of life, including education, career paths, and employment opportunities, affecting individuals, communities, and economies worldwide. This study delves into the realm of employability among Malaysian graduates post the COVID-19 crisis. Malaysia, known for its distinct socio-economic landscape, offers a captivating backdrop to explore the diverse challenges and opportunities faced by graduates seeking stable and meaningful employment in the aftermath of the pandemic. Employing SWOT analysis, this research comprehensively investigates the employability experiences of recent Malaysian graduates by drawing insights from a focused selection of literature concerning graduates' employment and its interplay with the Covid-19 situation. The study's outcomes highlight the critical need for adaptive policies and educational initiatives tailored to equip graduates with the essential skills and adaptable mindset required to excel in an evolving post-pandemic job market. Above all, the study underscores the significance of understanding and addressing the unique nuances of the Malaysian context while offering insights that can potentially benefit other regions grappling with similar employability challenges triggered by the pandemic's aftermath.

 

References

Aaker, J., Fei Li, F., Higginbotham, T., Weinberg, Z., & De La Rosa, W. (2020). Human-Centered Artificial intelligence and workforce displacement. Stanford Graduate School of Business. Retrieved from https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/case-studies/human-centered-artificial-intelligence-workforce-displacement

Abd Rahman, N. H., Abd Samad, K., & Phong, S. Y. (2022). A Review on Post COVID-19 Pandemic towards Tertiary Education and Graduate Employability in Malaysia.

Akkermans, J., Richardson, J., & Kraimer, M. L. (2020). The Covid-19 crisis as a career shock: Implications for careers and vocational behavior. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 119, 103434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103434

Altun, Y. B. (2021, April 9). Pandemic Fuels Global Growth Of Entrepreneurship And Startup Frenzy. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2021/04/09/pandemic-fuels-global-growth-of-entrepreneurship-and-startup-frenzy/

Aviso, K. B., Demeterio, F. P., Janairo, J. I. B., Lucas, R. I. G., Promentilla, M. a. B., Tan, R. R., & Yu, D. E. C. (2021). What university attributes predict for graduate employability? Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 2, 100069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2021.100069

Bennett, D., Ananthram, S., Lindsay, S., Benati, K., & Jevons, C. (2022). Employability beliefs of business students by gender and year of study: Implications for higher education. The International Journal of Management Education, 20(2), 100654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2022.100654

Benzaghta, M. A., Elwalda, A., Mousa, M. M., Erkan, I., & Rahman, M. (2021). SWOT analysis applications: An integrative literature review. Journal of Global Business Insights, 6(1), 54-72.

Bernama. (2022). Malaysia implements 5 initiatives to address drop in graduates’ marketability. New Straits Times. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/05/799293/malaysia-implements-5-initiatives-address-drop-graduates-marketability

Brenda, A. S. Y., Mir, S., Lai, G. X., Nicholas W. Y. Z., & Wong, J. J. (2020). Challenges and Experiences Faced by Malaysian Undergraduates in Coping with Low Academic Motivation During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Jurnal Psikologi Malaysia, 35(3), 40–63. https://spaj.ukm.my/ppppm/jpm/article/view/713/525

Chan, S. H., & Abdullah, A. N. (2015). Bilingualism in Malaysia: Language Education Policy and Local Needs. Social Sciences & Humanities, 23(S), 55–70. http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/41733/

Chigbu, B. I., & Nekhwevha, F. (2022). Academic-faculty environment and graduate employability: variation of work-readiness perceptions. Heliyon, 8(3), e09117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09117

Crawford, B. (2022, May 20). COVID-19 has accelerated the digital transformation - here’s how companies can adapt. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/03/covid-19-accelerated-digital-transformation-how-companies-can-adapt/

Crew, T., & Märtins, O. (2023). Students’ views and experiences of blended learning and employability in a post-pandemic context. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8(1), 100583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100583

Crismon, D., Mansfield, K., Hiatt, S. O., Christensen, S. S., & Cloyes, K. G. (2021). COVID-19 pandemic impact on experiences and perceptions of nurse graduates. Journal of Professional Nursing, 37(5), 857–865. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2021.06.008

Dang, H., Nguyen, C., & Carletto, C. (2023). Did a successful fight against COVID-19 come at a cost? Impacts of the pandemic on employment outcomes in Vietnam. World Development, 161, 106129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2022.106129

Dickson, P. R. (2002, June 11-13). Dynamic versus static SWOT analysis [Paper Presentation]. American Marketing Association Conference, Chicago, IL, USA.

Farrokhnia, M., Banihashem, S. K., Noroozi, O., & Wals, A. (2024). A SWOT analysis of ChatGPT: Implications for educational practice and research. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 61(3), 460-474.

Fang, J., Pechenkina, E., & Rayner, G. (2023). Undergraduate business students’ learning experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights for remediation of future disruption. The International Journal of Management Education, 21(1), 100763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2023.100763

Fossatti, P., Jabbour, C. J. C., Ratten, V., Pereira, G. M., Borchardt, M., Milan, G. S., & Eberle, L. (2023). What do (should) we know to leverage students’ employability and entrepreneurship? A systematic guide to researchers and managers. The International Journal of Management Education, 21(2), 100788. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2023.100788

Galster, M., Mitrovic, A., Malinen, S., Holland, J., & Peiris, P. (2023). Soft skills required from software professionals in New Zealand. Information & Software Technology, 160, 107232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2023.107232

Grosemans, I., De Cuyper, N., Forrier, A., & Vansteenkiste, S. (2023). Graduation is not the end, it is just the beginning: Change in perceived employability in the transition associated with graduation. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2023.103915

Henry, A. (2023). Multilingualism and persistence in multiple language learning. The Modern Language Journal, 107(1), 183–201. https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12826

Hewlett, S. A. (2014, August 1). How diversity can drive innovation. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2013/12/how-diversity-can-drive-innovation

Holidi, N. A., & Abu Seman, N. A. (2023). A study of employability skills: from the employers and youth perspectives. Journal of International Business, Economics and Entrepreneurship (JIBE), 8(1), 64-76.

Hwa, M. a. C. (2015). Graduate Employability Awareness: A Gendered Perspective. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 211, 192–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.11.083

Jasni, N. S., Kamarudin, S. N., & Abdullah, A. (2023). The effects of COVID-19 on unemployment in realising sustainable development goals: evidence from Malaysia. The Journal of Asian Finance Economics and Business (JAFEB), 10(1), 201-208.

Jingyi, L., Lim, B., Khairul Hanim Pazim, & Fumitaka Furuoka. (2021). Covid-19 Pandemic’s Impact on the Labour Market in ASEAN Countries. AEI Insights: An International Journal of Asia-Europe Relations, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.37353/aei-insights

Kamaruddin, N. A. (2022). Factors Influencing the ICT Innovation Process in Small-Medium Enterprises: A Conceptual Framework. Journal of International Business, Economics and Entrepreneurship, 7(2), 75-75.

Kang-Chung, N., & Choi, M. (2019, May 15). University graduates face tough competition and low salaries as they enter Hong Kong’s crowded workforce. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3010178/university-graduates-face-tough-competition-and-low

Khan, M. M. & Chong, P. Y. (2024). Factors Influencing Employability Of Fresh Graduates Post Covid-19: A Study Conducted On The Perspective Of Malaysian Employers. International Journal of Business Management (IJBM), 7(1), 1 – 15.

Kwarteng, J. T., & Mensah, E. K. (2022). Employability of accounting graduates: analysis of skills sets. Heliyon, 8(7), e09937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09937

Li, L. (2022). Reskilling and upskilling the future-ready workforce for industry 4.0 and beyond. Information Systems Frontiers. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-022-10308-y

Liang, X., Rozelle, S., & Yi, H. (2022). The impact of COVID-19 on employment and income of vocational graduates in China: Evidence from surveys in January and July 2020. China Economic Review, 75, 101832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2022.101832

Luan, N. T., Nguyen, H. T., Nguyen, N. H., Nguyen, L. D., Nguyen, T. T. D., & Le, L. D. (2023). Factors affecting students’ career choice in economics majors in the COVID-19 post-pandemic period: A case study of a private university in Vietnam. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 8(2), 100338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2023.100338

Ma’dan, M., Ismail, M., & Daud, S. (2020). Strategies to Enhance Graduate Employability: Insights from Malaysian Public University Policy-Makers. Malaysian Journal of Learning & Instruction, 17(Number 2), 137–165. https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2020.17.2.5

Männasoo, K., Pareliussen, J., & Saia, A. (2023). Digital Capacity and Employment Outcomes: Microdata Evidence from Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Europe. Telematics and Informatics, 83, 102024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2023.102024

Mărgărint, M. C., Kovačić, S., Albulescu, A., & Miljković, Đ. (2023). Natural multi-hazard risk perception and educational insights among Geography and Tourism students and graduates amid the Covid-19 pandemic. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 86, 103549. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103549

Meriküll, J., & Paulus, A. (2023). The impact of the Covid-19 job retention support on employment. Economics Letters, 222, 110963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econlet.2022.110963

Mezhoudi, N., Alghamdi, R., Aljunaid, R., Krichna, G., & Düştegör, D. (2021). Employability prediction: a survey of current approaches, research challenges and applications. Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing, 14(3), 1489–1505. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12652-021-03276-9

Miani, P., Kille, T., Lee, S. Y., Zhang, Y., & Bates, P. R. (2021). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on current tertiary aviation education and future careers: Students’ perspective. Journal of Air Transport Management, 94, 102081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2021.102081

MIDA. (2020, September 14). Impact of COVID-19 on the Malaysian economy and the mitigation measures - MIDA | Malaysian Investment Development Authority. MIDA | Malaysian Investment Development Authority. https://www.mida.gov.my/why-malaysia/business-during-covid-19/impact-of-covid-19-on-the-malaysian-economy-and-the-mitigation-measures/

Mohamad Aqil, Nurul Hidayana, & Aida Abdullah. (2019). Challenges Of Covid-19 Towards Malaysian Employment. In E-PROCEEDING 8th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PUBLIC POLICY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE (ICoPS) 2021. UiTM Cawangan N. Sembilan, Kampus Seremban.

Rafani, Nur Ashma Hidayah, & Adnan Aminuddin (Eds.). (2021). Graduate Employability Post-COVID 19: The Challenge for Malaysian Public University. IVCPPS 2021, 23–25. https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/57033/1/57033.pdf

Nadarajah, J. V. (2021). MEASURING THE GAP IN EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AMONG MALAYSIAN GRADUATES. International Journal of Modern Trends in Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.35631/ijmtss.415007

National Geographic Society. (2022). Demography. National Geographic. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/demography/

Natrah. (2021, October 30). Budget 2022: EV gets boost from exemption of various taxes. Kementerian Kewangan Malaysia. https://www.mof.gov.my/portal/en/news/press-citations/budget-2022-ev-gets-boost-from-exemption-of-various-taxes

Navío-Marco, J., Sanchez-Figueroa, C., & González, A. G. (2023). Business internships for bachelor’s degrees at blended learning universities: A pilot study to assess the transition from hybrid studies to the workplace. The International Journal of Management Education, 21(2), 100821. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2023.100821

Panagiotou, G. (2003). Bringing SWOT into focus. Business Strategy Review, 14(2), 8-10.

Peebles, L. A., Aman, Z. S., Kraeutler, M. J., & Mulcahey, M. K. (2023). The COVID-19 pandemic increased the use of virtual fellowship interviews, reduced case volume, and limited sideline coverage opportunities during sports medicine surgeon training. Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation, 5(3), e891–e895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asmr.2023.02.015

Pirhonen, H. (2021). Towards multilingual competence: examining beliefs and agency in first year university students’ language learner biographies. Language Learning Journal, 50(5), 613–626. https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2020.1858146

Rahman, N. H. A., Ismail, S., Ridzuan, A. R., & Samad, K. A. (2020). The Issue of Graduate Unemployment in Malaysia: Post Covid-19. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences, 10(10). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v10-i10/7843

Rahman, N. H. A., Samad, K. A., & Phong, S. Y. (2022). A Review on Post COVID-19 Pandemic towards Tertiary Education and Graduate Employability in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences, 12(11). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v12-i11/14860

Ren, S., Islam, M. T., & Chadee, D. (2023). Career adaptability of international hospitality management students during the COVID-19 pandemic: Focus on the role of language communication competence. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 54, 231–239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2022.12.019

Sahin, Y. G., & Celikkan, U. (2020). Information technology asymmetry and gaps between higher education institutions and industry. Journal of Information Technology Education, 19, 339–365. https://doi.org/10.28945/4553

Seng, L. C. (2018). Malaysia public universities’ graduate employability policies: An analysis of first degree graduates unemployment and underemployment issues. International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research, 6(4), 480-489.

Sofiah, A. (2021, December 10). Malaysia’s labour market in 2022: Salary snapshot & talent trends in IT, manufacturing, and FMCG. Human Resources Online. https://www.humanresourcesonline.net/malaysia-s-labour-market-in-2022-salary-snapshot-talent-trends-in-it-manufacturing-and-fmcg

Song, Y., Yang, Y., Yu, J., & Zhao, Z. (2021). The Post-COVID-19 Economic Policy Uncertainty and the effectiveness of monetary policy: Evidence from China. Frontiers in Public Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.771364

Specht, A., & Crowston, K. (2022). Interdisciplinary collaboration from diverse science teams can produce significant outcomes. PLOS ONE, 17(11), e0278043. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278043

Štalmachová, K. (2021). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment in transport and telecommunications sectors. Transportation Research Procedia, 55, 87–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2021.06.009

Staronline. (2022, April 10). Lower mean monthly salary and wages for graduates during the pandemic. Head Topics. https://headtopics.com/my/lower-mean-monthly-salary-and-wages-for-graduates-during-the-pandemic-25485733

UN News. (2021, October 15). Sustainable transport key to green energy shift: UN Secretary-General. https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/10/1103062

Valentin, E. (2001). SWOT analysis from a resource-based view. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 9(2), 54-69.

WHO. (2022, February 1). Tonnes of COVID-19 health care waste expose urgent need to improve waste management systems. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news/item/01-02-2022-tonnes-of-covid-19-health-care-waste-expose-urgent-need-to-improve-waste-management-systems

World Economic Forum. (2020). The Future of Jobs Report 2020. https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2020/in-full/chapter-2-forecasts-for-labour-market-evolution-in-2020-2025

YuNing, L. (2023, August 29). Japan’s release of radioactive water a risk. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2023/08/29/japans-release-ofradioactive-water-a-risk

Downloads

Published

-

How to Cite

Wong , S. Y., & Beh, C. Y. (2024). Malaysian Graduates Employability in Post Covid-19: A Swot Analysis. Journal of International Business, Economics and Entrepreneurship, 9(2), 29–40. https://doi.org/10.24191//jibe.v9i1.102

Issue

Section

Articles