Research Article

PERCEPTUAL DIFFERENCES IN EMPLOYABILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS

Volume: 28 Number: 3 September 15, 2026
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PERCEPTUAL DIFFERENCES IN EMPLOYABILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS

Abstract

This study comparatively examines the perceptions and expectations of university students and employers regarding employability. Advancements in every area have increased competition in the labor market, making it essential for graduates to possess not only technical knowledge but also multidimensional skills such as lifelong learning, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and adaptability to change. The aim of the study is to identify the perceptual differences between students and employers and to develop recommendations for the higher education-employment relationship. The study was conducted with 219 students enrolled in the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering at Gaziantep University, as well as 105 employers involved in the recruitment process in small and medium-sized enterprises located in Gaziantep. Within the scope of the quantitative research method, the survey technique was employed; for data collection, the Psychological Contract and Recruitment Criteria scales were administered to employers, and the Employer Attractiveness and Employability Perception scales were administered to students. The findings indicate that there are significant differences in five thematic dimensions (professional development and advancement, work commitment and contribution, employment readiness, authority and compliance, and personal goal and sense of power). The largest difference emerged in the “employment readiness” dimension, where students rated their own competencies lower compared to employer expectations. In the “Work Commitment and Contribution” dimension, employer expectations were also significantly higher than those of students. In contrast, no significant difference was found between the two groups in the “Professional Development and Advancement” dimension.In conclusion, in order to reduce skill and value mismatches in employability, it is recommended that university curricula be updated in line with employer expectations, that career centers offer programs to increase students’ awareness, and that employers develop human resources policies that can accurately assess the potential of young people.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Strategy, Management and Organisational Behaviour (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 15, 2026

Submission Date

November 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 5, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 28 Number: 3

APA
Seyhan, M., & Ürper, P. (2026). PERCEPTUAL DIFFERENCES IN EMPLOYABILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 28(3), 1334-1358. https://doi.org/10.16953/deusosbil.1816624
AMA
1.Seyhan M, Ürper P. PERCEPTUAL DIFFERENCES IN EMPLOYABILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS. DEU Journal of GSSS. 2026;28(3):1334-1358. doi:10.16953/deusosbil.1816624
Chicago
Seyhan, Mehmet, and Perihan Ürper. 2026. “PERCEPTUAL DIFFERENCES IN EMPLOYABILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS”. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi 28 (3): 1334-58. https://doi.org/10.16953/deusosbil.1816624.
EndNote
Seyhan M, Ürper P (September 1, 2026) PERCEPTUAL DIFFERENCES IN EMPLOYABILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi 28 3 1334–1358.
IEEE
[1]M. Seyhan and P. Ürper, “PERCEPTUAL DIFFERENCES IN EMPLOYABILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS”, DEU Journal of GSSS, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 1334–1358, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.16953/deusosbil.1816624.
ISNAD
Seyhan, Mehmet - Ürper, Perihan. “PERCEPTUAL DIFFERENCES IN EMPLOYABILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS”. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi 28/3 (September 1, 2026): 1334-1358. https://doi.org/10.16953/deusosbil.1816624.
JAMA
1.Seyhan M, Ürper P. PERCEPTUAL DIFFERENCES IN EMPLOYABILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS. DEU Journal of GSSS. 2026;28:1334–1358.
MLA
Seyhan, Mehmet, and Perihan Ürper. “PERCEPTUAL DIFFERENCES IN EMPLOYABILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS”. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, vol. 28, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 1334-58, doi:10.16953/deusosbil.1816624.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Seyhan, Perihan Ürper. PERCEPTUAL DIFFERENCES IN EMPLOYABILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS. DEU Journal of GSSS. 2026 Sep. 1;28(3):1334-58. doi:10.16953/deusosbil.1816624