Shweta Sangwan and Shalini Garg
The purpose of this paper is to understand MBA skill transfer, employability and how work-integrated learning (WIL) can help in ensuring the availability of employable managers…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand MBA skill transfer, employability and how work-integrated learning (WIL) can help in ensuring the availability of employable managers after the completion of MBA. India faces a major crisis in terms of finding employable workforce despite its huge population. The paper explores the question of employability. It focuses on how WIL can be used to facilitate transfer of skills, which ultimately leads to a more employable workforce.
Design/methodology/approach
Existing research was studied to establish linkages between WIL and skill transfer. The existing skill gaps in MBA education, which lead to unemployable business graduates, were also revealed.
Findings
The literature studied suggests that there is a positive impact of obtaining an MBA degree on the employability of business graduates. However, there is no concrete evidence to show that the impact is big enough to cover the cost and time spent on pursuing the degree. The paper also reveals the various types of WIL modules being followed by some universities to improve skill transfer and to ensure that graduates are work-ready.
Research limitations/implications
Though the question of employability poses a serious threat to the Indian education as well as the industry, little has been done to assess the ways in which the graduates can be made employable. WIL is also being practiced in a very narrow sense and only by institutes of repute. WIL is being practiced in certain countries and the Indian business schools can use these programmes as a guide.
Originality/value
The paper studies the question of employability from the point of view of the Indian economy and educational institutions. It draws from the experiences of other countries in trying to include WIL into the degree programme to facilitate skill transfer.
Details
Keywords
Natnaree Nantee and Panitas Sureeyatanapas
The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the impacts of Logistics 4.0 initiatives (focusing on automated warehousing systems) on the economic, environmental…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the impacts of Logistics 4.0 initiatives (focusing on automated warehousing systems) on the economic, environmental and social dimensions of firms' sustainability performance. To achieve this objective, a new framework for the assessment of sustainable warehousing in the 4.0 era is developed.
Design/methodology/approach
The framework, developed via the item-objective congruence index, Q-sort method and interviews with experts, is employed to assess performance changes through management interviews in two warehousing companies after the implementation of automation technologies.
Findings
Most aspects of both companies' sustainability performance are considerably improved (e.g. productivity, accuracy, air emission, worker safety and supply chain visibility); however, the outcome for some criteria might be worsened or improved depending on each company's solutions and strategies (e.g. increasing electricity bills, maintenance costs and job losses).
Practical implications
The findings provide insight into the effective implementation of warehousing technologies. The proposed framework is also a valid and reliable instrument for sustainability assessment for warehousing operators, which companies can utilise for self-assessment.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to establishing a body of literature that explores the previously unclarified effects of Logistics 4.0 on firms' sustainability performance. The proposed framework, which captures critical concerns of corporate sustainability and technological adaptation, is also the first of its kind for warehouse performance assessment.