'In the eyes of the beholder': the influence of academic performance and extracurricular activities on the perceived employability of Chinese business graduates

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Luisa Helena Pinto (Author) FEP; He, Kena (Author) FEP

Journal

Title: Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources

Vol. 57

Pages: 503-527

ISSN: 1038-4111

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 19 Citations

Scopus - 22 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00P-GEF

DOI: 10.1111/1744-7941.12200

Abstract (EN): We examine whether the academic performance and the participation in extracurricular activities (ECAs) affect the perceived employability of Chinese business graduates by employing an experimental between-subjects factorial design. Three hundred and sixty Chinese working adults rated the employability of eight fictitious resumes of business graduates from the Peking University, varying in academic performance, participation in ECAs and gender. The results showed that the participation in ECAs, alone and combined with academic performance, resulted in higher rates of job suitability and employability skills. Moreover, the findings revealed an outgroup favouritism towards the applicants with high academic performance and participation in ECAs. These findings are relevant for employers, higher education institutions and graduates because an increasing number of new entrants are seeking to distinguish themselves in the transition to the labour market.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 25