Yükseköğretimde Üniversite–Sanayi İş Birliği ve Mezunların İstihdam Edilebilirliği: Azerbaycan’dan Bulgular

Öz

Bu çalışma, kurumsal olarak yapılandırılmış üniversite–sanayi iş birliği mekanizmalarının mezunların istihdam edilebilirliği üzerindeki etkisini yükseköğretim bağlamında incelemektedir. İnsan sermayesi kuramı, deneyimsel öğrenme kuramı ve stratejik yönetişim yaklaşımlarından yararlanılarak mezun istihdam edilebilirliği, yükseköğretim kurumları ile iş gücü piyasası aktörleri arasındaki eşgüdümlü etkileşimin bir çıktısı olarak ele alınmıştır. Nicel ve kesitsel bir araştırma tasarımı benimsenmiştir. Araştırma verileri, Azerbaycan’daki yükseköğretim kurumları ve sanayi kuruluşlarını temsil eden 226 katılımcıdan anket yöntemiyle toplanmış; betimleyici istatistikler, korelasyon analizi ve çoklu regresyon teknikleri kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, üniversite–sanayi iş birliğinin mezunların istihdam edilebilirliğini birbiriyle ilişkili çeşitli mekanizmalar aracılığıyla olumlu yönde etkilediğini göstermektedir. Analiz sonuçlarına göre, müfredat–sanayi uyumu mezun istihdam edilebilirliği üzerinde en güçlü etkiye sahip değişken olarak öne çıkmakta; bunu stratejik uyum ve yönetişim, ortak projeler ve bilgi paylaşımı ile staj ve iş temelli iş birliği izlemektedir. Bulgular ayrıca, kurumsal yapılarla desteklenen ve stratejik olarak koordine edilen iş birliği uygulamalarının, tekil ve dağınık deneyimsel girişimlere kıyasla daha etkili sonuçlar ürettiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Bu çalışma, mezun istihdam edilebilirliğinin geliştirilmesinde kurumsal koordinasyon ve yönetişimin önemine dikkat çekerek yükseköğretim literatürüne katkı sağlamaktadır. Elde edilen sonuçlar, üniversiteler ve ilgili paydaşlar için üniversite–sanayi iş birliğinin daha yapılandırılmış biçimde tasarlanmasına yönelik çıkarımlar sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Üniversite–sanayi iş birliği
• Mezunların istihdam edilebilirliği
• Yükseköğretim
• Müfredat–sanayi uyumu
• Kurumsal yönetişim

Destekleyen Kurum

Bu çalışma, kamu, ticari veya kâr amacı gütmeyen herhangi bir kurum ya da kuruluştan mali destek almamıştır.

Etik Beyan

Bu çalışma, anonim ve gönüllülük esasına dayalı bir anket araştırması olup herhangi bir müdahale, deneysel işlem veya kişisel tanımlayıcı hassas veri içermemektedir. Bu nedenle çalışma için etik kurul onayına gerek duyulmamıştır. Araştırma, akademik etik ilkelere uygun olarak yürütülmüştür.

Teşekkür

Yazar, bu araştırmaya katılarak değerli görüşlerini paylaşan tüm yükseköğretim ve sanayi temsilcilerine teşekkür eder. Ayrıca çalışmanın tamamlanmasına katkı sağlayan akademik ortam için teşekkürlerini sunar.

University–Industry Collaboration in Higher Education and Graduate Employability: Evidence from Azerbaijan

Öz

Abstract This study examines how institutionally structured university–industry collaboration mechanisms influence graduate employability outcomes within higher education. Drawing on human capital theory, experiential learning theory, and strategic governance perspectives, graduate employability is conceptualized as an outcome shaped by coordinated interaction between higher education institutions and labor market actors. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was employed. Data were collected from 226 respondents representing higher education institutions and industry organizations in Azerbaijan and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression techniques. The findings indicate that university–industry collaboration positively influences graduate employability through multiple, interrelated mechanisms. Among the examined dimensions, curriculum–industry alignment emerges as the strongest predictor of employability outcomes, followed by strategic alignment and governance, joint projects and knowledge exchange, and internship- and work-based collaboration. The results further suggest that institutionally embedded and strategically coordinated collaboration practices generate more effective employability outcomes than isolated experiential initiatives. The study contributes to the higher education literature by highlighting the importance of institutional coordination and governance in shaping graduate employability. The findings offer practical implications for higher education institutions and their stakeholders seeking to strengthen employability outcomes through structured university–industry collaboration.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• University–industry collaboration
• Graduate employability
• Higher education
• Curriculum–industry alignment
• Institutional governance

Destekleyen Kurum

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Etik Beyan

This study is based on an anonymous and voluntary survey and does not involve any intervention, experimental procedures, or the collection of personally identifiable or sensitive data. Therefore, ethical committee approval was not required for this study. The author confirms that the study was conducted in accordance with standard ethical research principles.

Teşekkür

The author would like to thank all higher education and industry representatives who participated in the survey and shared their valuable insights, which made this research possible. The author also acknowledges the constructive academic environment that supported the completion of this study.

Kaynakça

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