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Soft Skills Integration into Business Processes Based on the Requirements of Employers—Approach for Sustainable Education

Author

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  • Erika Sujová

    (Department of Manufacturing Technology and Quality Management, Faculty of Technology, Technical University in Zvolen, Študentská 26, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia)

  • Helena Čierna

    (Department of Manufacturing Technology and Quality Management, Faculty of Technology, Technical University in Zvolen, Študentská 26, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia)

  • Ľubica Simanová

    (Department of Economics, Management and Business, Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, Technical University in Zvolen, T.G. Masaryka 24, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia)

  • Pavol Gejdoš

    (Department of Economics, Management and Business, Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, Technical University in Zvolen, T.G. Masaryka 24, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia)

  • Jaroslava Štefková

    (Institute of Foreign Languages, Technical University in Zvolen, T.G. Masaryka 24, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia)

Abstract

This paper deals with the issue of increasing the quality and sustainability of education at universities regarding the requirements of employers. Employers’ expectations of university graduates in terms of soft skills are analysed and outlined. The employers participating in this study answered a questionnaire survey focused on understanding university graduates’ soft skills. The collected results were subjected to the method of mathematical–statistical analysis by nonparametric testing of significance of the mean value difference. The significance of the difference for individual skills was confirmed, demonstrating that the surveyed enterprises required and anticipated a level of soft skills development on the part of recent graduates that was insufficient. This finding implies the necessity of improving university education to match the expected and real state of soft skill mastery.

Suggested Citation

  • Erika Sujová & Helena Čierna & Ľubica Simanová & Pavol Gejdoš & Jaroslava Štefková, 2021. "Soft Skills Integration into Business Processes Based on the Requirements of Employers—Approach for Sustainable Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:13807-:d:702106
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chia-Yi Cheng & Chia-Hung Hsieh & Yu-Song Yang, 2014. "Who would engage in unethical behavior? Should organizations bear the responsibility?," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 48(4), pages 2341-2354, July.
    2. Gordon Boyce & Sarah Williams & Andrea Kelly & Helen Yee, 2001. "Fostering deep and elaborative learning and generic (soft) skill development: the strategic use of case studies in accounting education," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(1), pages 37-60.
    3. Antonio Garofalo & Rosalia Castellano & Gennaro Punzo & Gaetano Musella, 2018. "Skills and labour incomes: how unequal is Italy as part of the Southern European countries?," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(4), pages 1471-1500, July.
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