Tan, Cheng Yoke
(2018)
Soft Skill Integration, Quality Of
College Life And Soft Skill Levels In
Malaysian Private Higher Learning
Institutions.
PhD thesis, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between soft skill integration,
quality of college life and perceived soft skill levels of the Diploma Business
students in Malaysian private higher learning institutions (IPTS). It was grounded on
Astin’s Input-Environment-Output Model (1984) and Malaysian MOHE Soft Skill
Development Model (2006). This study used quantitative survey method to obtain
the data. A total of 429 final year diploma business students from 12 different IPTS
from three states of Peninsular Malaysia responded to the questionnaires through
stratified random sampling method. The study conducted data analysis by finding
the mean average descriptive data, regression analysis and hierarchical moderated
multiple regression. The results showed that soft skill integration in teamwork (x̅ =
3.71), integration in ethics and professional moral (x̅ = 3.75) were high. However,
only the levels of teamwork (x̅ = 3.72) was high. Besides that, the academic aspects
of quality of college life did significantly influence the development of all soft skill
levels. The findings advocated to the importance of soft skill integration on soft skill
development, especially the integration on critical thinking and problem solving and
its levels. The colleges could also upgrade the facilities as the results indicated some
moderating influence from facility aspects of quality of college life. These findings
highlighted the right focus, effective practices to promote soft skill development in
order to bridge the soft skill gaps and tackle employability issues of current
graduates. Subsequently, it provided empirical data to the relevant authorities such
as Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysian Qualification Agency as well as the management of higher learning institutions in future policy making and
direction in educational aspirations or endeavour in future.
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
