Under-employment among recent graduates: a review of the literature

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to offer a systematic review of the literature that explores under-employment among recent graduates. Literature from a range of disciplines is reviewed in an attempt to further a theoretical understanding. In doing this, the secondary aim is to identify avenues for future research. Design/methodology/approach - The paper adopts a systematic literature review methodology to answer the question "What is graduate underemployment?" Findings - The review highlights significant issues around the conceptualisation and measurement of graduate under-employment. It argues that individual volition and meaning making are important issues that to date remain under-researched in relation to graduate under-employment. The paper argues that the most appropriate basis for developing a theoretical understanding of graduate under-employment is to draw upon relevant theoretical frameworks from career studies - specifically those on the objective-subjective duality of career, career indecision, and career success. This approach provides a greater focus on the dynamics of the individual's experiences. Practical implications - This review has implications for a range of stakeholders including students, graduates, teachers and careers advisers, parents, universities, employers, HR professionals and policy makers. Originality/value - In the context of policy debates surrounding the purpose and value of higher education, this review brings together the highly fragmented perspectives on a phenomenon that encapsulates many of the issues being debated.