IDENTIFICATION OF GAPS IN EXPECTATIONS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS AS A BASIS FOR MANAGEMENT DECISION - MAKING IN HIGHER EDUCATION
The current stage of social development is characterized by high rates and frequency of changes. In such conditions, the requirements of potential employers for knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies of university graduates can differ significantly from those in the curriculum of universities. Gaps between the requirements of potential employers for knowledge and skills of university graduates and students` real abilities, their expectations, form the unfavorable environment for both employers and for future specialists who are just mastering the profession. The identification of these gaps can serve as the basis for tactical and strategic management decisions by university administrations. The purpose of this study is to identify gaps in the expectations of undergraduate and graduate students and potential employers. The key result of the work can be recognized as confirmation of indicated gaps.
Keywords: universities, higher education, education, higher education system, employers, expectations, gaps, expectations of students, expectations of employers, management decision-making.
Highlights:
the expectations of undergraduate and graduate students in terms of their future professional activities were identified;
the expectations of potential employers regarding abilities, knowledge, skills of university graduates entering the labor market were determined;
the differences in the expectations of students and potential employers were identified.
Svetlana I. Ashmarina, Doctor of Economics, Professor; Elena A. Kandrashina, Doctor of Economics; Lyudmila G. Lebedeva, Master of Pedagogics, a senior lecturer of the Department of Sociology and Pedagogy. E-mail: ludleb@mail.ru; Ayrat M. Izmailov, Candidate of Economics, Associate Professor - Samara State University of Economics.