ESC
Clarivate

 
Source: Journal Citation ReportsTM from ClarivateTM 2022

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues Open access
Journal Impact FactorTM (2022) 1.7
Journal Citation IndicatorTM (2022) 0.42
Received: 2018-05-17  |  Accepted: 2018-07-20  |  Published: 2018-09-30

Title

Student satisfaction and perceived skills: any link to employability?


Abstract

The present study aims to determine the perceived satisfaction of students enrolled in a tourism undergraduate program and to assess the impact perceived skills have on their intentions regarding future careers. This is a quantitative study based on the analysis of primary data gathered through a questionnaire. A sample of 114 students in their second year of study from the biggest university in Romania completed the questionnaire. The data collected were analysed using descriptive analysis, ANOVA and regression analysis. An ANOVA test and post hoc Tukey test were therefore used to determine differences in the means and variance of satisfaction, with the grade levels and course attendance set as the independent variables. A regression analysis was then conducted to identify the connections between perceived skills and the future career path of tourism students. The results show that students do not perceive satisfaction differently according to their grade levels, although there may be a relationship between levels of satisfaction and class attendance. Optimism was found to predict whether students would be interested in starting a business, while attitudes towards leadership and networking were found to predict whether students wished to pursue a management career.


Keywords

higher education programs, student satisfaction, knowledge and skills, employability


JEL classifications

I23 , I25 , M13 , M53


URI

http://jssidoi.org/jesi/article/225


DOI


HAL


Pages

356-370


Funding

This work was supported by the strategic grant “Integrated system for improving the doctoral and postdoctoral research quality in Romania and for promoting the role of science in society”, POSDRU/159/1.5/S/133652, co-funded by the European Social Fund through the Sectoral Operational Programme Human Resources Development 2007-2013.

This is an open access issue and all published articles are licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Authors

Bordean, Ovidiu Niculae
Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania https://www.ubbcluj.ro
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Sonea, Adrian
Petru Maior University of Târgu Mureș, Târgu Mureș, Romania http://www.upm.ro
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Journal title

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues

Volume

6


Number

1


Issue date

September 2018


Issue DOI


ISSN

ISSN 2345-0282 (online)


Publisher

VšĮ Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, Vilnius, Lithuania

Cited

Google Scholar

Article views & downloads

HTML views: 4750  |  PDF downloads: 2015

References


Adamson, S. J., Doherty, N., & Viney, C. (1998). The meanings of career revisited: implications for theory and practice. British Journal of Management, 9(4), 251-259. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.00096

Search via ReFindit


Aldridge, S., & Rowley, J. (1998). Measuring customer satisfaction in higher education. Quality Assurance in Education, 6(4), 197-204. https://doi.org/10.1108/09684889810242182

Search via ReFindit


Astin, A. W. (1999). Student involvement: a development theory for higher education, Journal of College Student Development, 40(5), 518-539.

Search via ReFindit


Barron, P., Maxwell, G., Broadbridge, A., & Ogden, S. (2007). Careers in hospitality management: generation Y's experiences and perceptions. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 14(2), 119-128. https://doi.org/10.1375/jhtm.14.2.119

Search via ReFindit


Baruch, Y. (2004). Transforming careers: from linear to multidirectional career paths: organisational and individual perspectives. Career Development International, 9(1), 58–73. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430410518147

Search via ReFindit


Borden, V. M. H., & Owens, J. L. (2001). Measuring quality: choosing among surveys and other assessments of college quality. Washington: American Council on Education and Association for Institutional Research.

Search via ReFindit


Bridgstock, R. (2011). Skills for creative industries graduate success. Education & Training, 53(1), 9-26. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400911111102333

Search via ReFindit


Brown, D. L. (1976). Faculty ratings and student grades: A university-wide multiple regression analysis. Journal of Educational Psychology, 68, 573-578. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.68.5.573

Search via ReFindit


Brown, R., & Mazzarol, T. (2009). The importance of institutional image to student satisfaction and loyalty within higher education. Higher Education, 58(1), 81-95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-008-9183-8

Search via ReFindit


Browne, B., Kaldenberg, D., Browne, W., & Brown, D. (1998). Student as customers: factors affecting satisfaction and assessments of institutional quality. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, 8(3), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1300/J050v08n03_01

Search via ReFindit


Cassar, G. (2010). Are individuals entering self-employment overly optimistic? An empirical test of plans and projections on nascent entrepreneur expectations. Strategic Management Journal, 31(8), 822-840. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.945206

Search via ReFindit


Cassar, G., & Craig, J. (2009). An investigation of hindsight bias in nascent venture activity. Journal of Business Venturing, 24(2), 149-164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2008.02.003

Search via ReFindit


Chi, C. G., & Gursoy, D. (2009). How to help your graduates secure better jobs? An industry perspective. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 21(3), 308-322. https://doi.org/10.1108/09596110910948314

Search via ReFindit


Cronin, J. J. Jr, Brady, M. K., & Hult, G. T. M. (2000). Assessing the effects of quality, value, and customer satisfaction on consumer behavioral intentions in service environments. Journal of Retailing, 76(2), 193-218. 00028-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-4359(00)

Search via ReFindit


Dalati, S., & Al Hamwi, S. E. (2016). Sustainable development in higher education through service quality and price fairness: empirical evidence from private universities in Damascus, Syria, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 4(1), 25-38. https://doi.org/10.9770/jesi.2016.4.1(3)

Search via ReFindit


Dawson, C., De Meza, D. E., Henley, A., & Arabsheibani, G. R. (2012). Entrepreneurship: Cause or consequence of financial optimism? Discussion Paper Series, Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit, No. 6844. http://www.econstor.eu/handle/10419/67175

Search via ReFindit


Delaney, A. (2005). Expanding students’ voice in assessment through senior survey research. American Institutional Research Professional File, 96, 1-19.

Search via ReFindit


DeShields, O., Kara, A., & Kaynak, E. (2005). Determinants of business student satisfaction and retention in higher education: Applying Herzberg’s two-factor theory. International Journal of Educational Management, 19(2), 128-139. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540510582426

Search via ReFindit


Doherty, L., Guerrier, Y., Jameson, S., Lashley, C., & Lockwood, A. (2001). Getting ahead: Graduate careers in hospitality management. London: CHME/HEFCE.

Search via ReFindit


Douglas, J., & Douglas, A. (2006). Evaluating teaching quality. Quality in Higher Education, 12(1), 3-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/13538320600685024

Search via ReFindit


Dubini, P., & Aldrich, H. (1991). Personal and extended networks are central to the entrepreneurial process. Journal of Business Venturing, 8(3), 305–313. 90021-5 https://doi.org/10.1016/0883-9026(91)

Search via ReFindit


Elliott, K. M., & Shin, D. (2002). Student satisfaction: an alternative approach to assessing this important concept. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 24, 197-209. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080022000013518

Search via ReFindit


Farrell, A. M., Souchon, A. L., & Durden, G. R. (2001). Service encounter conceptualization: employees’ service behaviors and customers’ service quality perceptions. Journal of Marketing Management, 17, 577-593. https://doi.org/10.1362/026725701323366944

Search via ReFindit


Finney, T. G., & Finney, R. Z. (2010). Are students their universities’ customers? An exploratory study. Education & Training, 52(4), 276-291. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400911011050954

Search via ReFindit


Flum, H., & Blustein, D. L. (2000). Reinvigorating the study of vocational exploration: a research framework. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 56(3), 380-404. https://doi.org/10.1006/jvbe.2000.1721

Search via ReFindit


Franklin, K., & Knight, W.H. (1995). Using Focus Groups to Explore Student Opinion, paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Mid-South Educational Research Association Conference, Biloxi, MS, November.

Search via ReFindit


Franz, R. S. (1998). Whatever you do, don’t treat your students like customers! Journal of Management Education, 22(1), 63-69.

Search via ReFindit


Gruber, T., Fuß, S., Voss, R., & Glaser-Zikuda, M. (2010). Examining student satisfaction with higher education services using a new measurement tool. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 23(2), 105-123. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513551011022474

Search via ReFindit


Guolla, M. (1999). Assessing the teaching quality to student satisfaction relationship: Applied customer satisfaction research in the classroom. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 7(3), 87-97. https://doi.org/10.1080/10696679.1999.11501843

Search via ReFindit


Hall, D. T., & Mirvis, P. H. (1995). The new career contract: developing the whole person at midlife and beyond. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 47(3), 269-289. https://doi.org/10.1006/jvbe.1995.0004

Search via ReFindit


Hassel, H., & Lourey, J. (2005). The dearth of student responsibility. College Teaching, 53(1), 2-12.

Search via ReFindit


Hildebrand, M., Wilson, R. C., & Dienst, E.. R. (1971). Evaluating university teaching. Berkeley: Center for Research and Development in Higher Education, University of California, Berkeley.

Search via ReFindit


Hmieleski, K.M., & Baron, R. A. (2009). Entrepreneurs’ optimism and new venture performance: A social cognitive perspective. Academy of Management Journal, 52(3), 473-488. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2009.41330755

Search via ReFindit


Hogan, R., & Warrenfeltz, R. (2003). Educating the modern manager, Academy of Management Learning and Education, 2(1), 74-84.

Search via ReFindit


Howard, G. S., & Maxwell, S. E. (1980). Correlation between student satisfaction and grades: A case of mistaken causation? Journal of Educational Psychology, 72(6), 810-820. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.72.6.810

Search via ReFindit


Kanter, R. M. (1989). When giants learn to dance. London: Simon & Schuster.

Search via ReFindit


Kong, H., Cheung, C., & Zhang, H. Q. (2010). Career management systems: what are china’s state-owned hotels practicing? International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 22(4), 467-482. https://doi.org/10.1108/09596111011042695

Search via ReFindit


Kuh, G. D., & Hu, S. (2001). The effects of student-faculty interaction in the 1990s. Review of Higher Education, 24(3), 309-332. https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.2001.0005

Search via ReFindit


Kusluvan, S., & Kusluvan, Z. (2000). Perceptions and attitudes of undergraduate tourism students towards working in the tourism industry in Turkey. Tourism Management, 21, 251-269. 00057-6 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(99)

Search via ReFindit


Ladkin, A. (2002). Career analysis: a case study of hotel general managers in Australia. Tourism Management, 23(4), 379-388. 00092-9 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(01)

Search via ReFindit


Ladkin, A., & Juwaheer, A. (2000). The career paths of hotel general managers in Mauritius. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 12(2), 119-125. https://doi.org/10.1108/09596110010309925

Search via ReFindit


Ladkin, A., & Riley, M. (1996). Mobility and structure in the career paths of UK hotel managers: A labour market hybrid of the bureaucratic model?. Tourism Management, 17(6), 443-452. 00053-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/0261-5177(96)

Search via ReFindit


Lewis, A., & Airey, D. (2001). Tourism careers in Trinidad and Tobago: Perceptions of secondary school students. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 3(1), 7–20.

Search via ReFindit


Lockyer, C., & Scholarios, D. (2004). Selecting hotel staff: Why best practice does not always work. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 16(2), 125-136. https://doi.org/10.1108/09596110410520016

Search via ReFindit


March, J. G., & Shapira, Z. (1987). Managerial perspectives on risk and risk taking. Management Science, 33(11), 1404-1418. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.33.11.1404

Search via ReFindit


Marsh, H. W., Overall, J. U., & Thomas, C. S. (1976). The relationship between students' evaluation of instruction and expected grade. Los Angeles: University of California.

Search via ReFindit


Martin, A., Mactaggart, D., & Bowden, J. (2006). The barriers to the recruitment and retention of supervisors/managers in the Scottish tourism industry. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 18(5), 380-397. https://doi.org/10.1108/09596110610673529

Search via ReFindit


McCabe, V. (2001). Career paths and labour mobility in the conventions and exhibitions industry in Eastern Australia: Results from a preliminary study. International Journal of Tourism Research, 3, 493–499. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.338

Search via ReFindit


Mushtaq, H. A., Hunjra, A. I., Niazi, G. S. K., Rehman, K. U., & Azam, R. I. (2011). Planned behavior entrepreneurship and intention to create a new venture among young graduates. Management & Marketing. Challenges for the Knowledge Society, 6(3), 437-456.

Search via ReFindit


Naldi, L., Nordqvist, M., Sjöberg, K., & Wiklund, J. (2007). Entrepreneurial orientation, risk taking, and performance in family firms. Family Business Review, 20(1), 33-47. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6248.2007.00082.x

Search via ReFindit


Naushad, M. (2018). A study on the antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions among Saudi students, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 5(3), 600-617. http://doi.org/10.9770/jesi.2018.5.3(14)

Search via ReFindit


Noe, R. A. (1996). Is career management related to employee development and performance? Journal of Organizational Behavior, 17(2), 119–133. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1099-1379(199603)17:2<119::aid-job736>3.0.co;2-o

Search via ReFindit


Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory. 2nd edition, New York: McGraw-Hill.

Search via ReFindit


Parasuraman, A., Zeithaml, V. A., & Berry, L. L. (1998). SERVQUAL: A multiple-item scale for measuring consumer perceptions of service quality. Journal of Retailing, 64, 12-40.

Search via ReFindit


Simon, M., Houghton, S., & Aquino, K. (2000). Cognitive biases, risk perception and venture formation: How individuals decide to start companies. Journal of Business Venturing, 15(2), 113-134. 00003-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9026(98)

Search via ReFindit


Stafford, T. F. (1994). Consumption values and the choice of marketing electives: Treating students like customers. Journal of Marketing Education, 16(2), 26-33. https://doi.org/10.1177/027347539401600204

Search via ReFindit


Storey, D. J. (2001). Optimism and chance: The elephants in the entrepreneurship room. International Small Business Journal, 29(4), 303–321. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242611403871

Search via ReFindit


Sulphey, M. M., AlKahtani, N.S., Abdul Malik Syed, A.M. (2018). Relationship between admission grades and academic achievement, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 5(3), 648-658. http://doi.org/10.9770/jesi.2018.5.3(17)

Search via ReFindit


Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making sense of Cronbach’s alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53-55. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.4dfb.8dfd

Search via ReFindit


Zikic, J., & Richardson, J. (2007). Unlocking the careers of business professionals following job loss: sense making and career exploration of older workers. Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences, 24, 58-73. https://doi.org/10.1002/cjas.5

Search via ReFindit