Is Bologna working? Employer and graduate reflections of the quality, value and relevance of business and management education in four European Union countries

Abstract

This article focuses on the relevance of undergraduate business and management higher education from the perspectives of recent graduates and graduate employers in four European countries. Drawing upon the findings of an empirical qualitative study in which data was collated and analysed using grounded theory research techniques, the paper draws attention to graduates' and employers' perceptions of the value of higher education in equipping students with discipline-specific skills and knowledge as well as softer 'generic' skills. It also highlights the importance of formal 'work-based' learning within undergraduate curricula in providing students with the skills and experiences required by employers operating within a global workplace.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/hequ.12054
Divisions: College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School
College of Business and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences & Humanities > Centre for Critical Inquiry into Society and Culture (CCISC)
College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School > Operations & Information Management
College of Business and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences & Humanities
College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > School of Infrastructure and Sustainable Engineering > Engineering Systems and Supply Chain Management
Aston University (General)
Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Andrews, J., & Higson, H. (2014). Is Bologna Working? Employer and graduate reflections of the quality, value and relevance of Business and Management Education in four European Union countries. Higher education quarterly, 68(3), 267-287, which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hequ.12054/abstract. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
Uncontrolled Keywords: graduate employment,higher education,Europe,skills,work-based learning,Education
Publication ISSN: 1468-2273
Last Modified: 30 Sep 2024 10:24
Date Deposited: 14 Aug 2014 10:40
Full Text Link: http://onlineli ... .12054/abstract
Related URLs: http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
PURE Output Type: Special issue
Published Date: 2014-07
Accepted Date: 2014-01-01
Authors: Andrews, Jane (ORCID Profile 0000-0003-0984-6267)
Higson, Helen (ORCID Profile 0000-0003-3433-2823)

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