New Insights for Soft Skills Development in Vietnamese Business Schools: Defining Essential Soft Skills for Maximizing Graduates’ Career Success
Within Vietnam's system of higher education, its
schools of business play a vital role in supporting the country’s
economic objectives. However, the crucial contribution of soft skills
for maximal success within the business sector has to date not been
adequately recognized by its business schools. This being so, the
development of the business school curriculum in Vietnam has not
been able to 'catch up', so to say, with the burgeoning need of
students for a comprehensive soft skills program designed to meet the
national and global business objectives of their potential employers.
The burden of the present paper is first to reveal the results of our
survey in Vietnam which make explicit the extent to which major
Vietnamese industrial employers’ value the potential role that soft
skill competencies can play in maximizing business success. Our
final task will be to determine which soft skills employers discern as
best serving to maximize the economic interests of Vietnam within
the global marketplace. Semi-structured telephone interviews have
been conducted with the 15 representative Head Employers of
Vietnam's reputedly largest and most successful of the diverse
business enterprises across Vietnam. The findings of the study
indicate that all respondents highly value the increasing importance
of soft skills in business success. Our critical analysis of respondent
data reveals that 19 essential soft skills are deemed by employers as
integral to business workplace efficacy and should thus be integrated
into the formal business curriculum. We are confident that our study
represents the first comprehensive and specific survey yet undertaken
within the business sector in Vietnam which accesses and analyses
the opinions of representative employers from major companies
across the country in regard to the growing importance of 19 specific
soft skills essential for maximizing overall business success. Our
research findings also reveal that the integration into business school
curriculums nationwide of the soft skills we have identified is of
paramount importance to advance the national and global economic
interests of Vietnam.
[1] M. Alvesson & K. Sko¨ldberg, “Reflexive Methodology: Interpretation
and Research,” Sage, 2000, London Bowers, M. Y.
[2] Bộ Giáo dục và Đào tạo. ‘Tổng kết và đánh giá mười năm đổi mới giáo
dục và đào tạo’ [‘Summary and Evaluation of Ten Years of Renovation
in Education and Training’], Bộ Giáo dục và Đào tạo, Hà Nội, 1997.
[3] N.T. Ca, “Universities as Drivers of the Urban Economies in Asia: The
Case of Vietnam”. Policy Research Working Paper: World Bank, 2006.
[4] T. Q. Duoc, “Quality of Business Graduates in Vietnamese Institutions:
Multiples Perspectives. Journal of Management Development”, 2006,
26(7), 629-643.
[5] T. Q. Duoc & M. Christoph, “Quality of Business Graduates in
Vietnamese Institutions: Multiple Perspectives”, Journal of Management
Development, 2007, Vol.26 Iss: 7pp. 629 – 643.
[6] J. David, ‘Leadership and Professional Development: An Integral Part of
the Business Curriculum’, Business Education Innovation Journal, 2010,
Vol.2.
[7] M. B. Davies, “Doing a successful research project: Using qualitative
and quantitative methods”, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.
[8] B. DiCicco-Bloom & B. F. Crabtree, 2006, “The qualitative research
interview”, Medical Education, 2006, 40, 4, 314-321.
[9] E. Hommerichhausen, “The effective engineer – the soft skills”, p
roceedings of 5th international colloquium on engineering education,
South Carolina, 2002, October 24-27, Available from
http://www.uri.edu/iep/colloquia/2002/effective_engineer.pdf
[10] C. Fotopoulos & E. Psomas, “The use of quality management tools and
techniques in ISO 9001:2000 certified companies: the Greek case”,
International Journal of Productivity &Performance Management, 2008,
Vol. 58, No.6, pp. 564-580.
[11] Giao Giuc Vietnam, ‘63% sinh vien that nghiep, chat luong giao duc co
van de’. Retrieved on Sep 20, 2012. From http://giaogiuc.net.vn
[12] I. Grugulis, “Putting skills to work: learning and employment at the start
of the century”, Human Resource Management Journal, 2003, 13(2): 3-
12.
[13] P. Klaus, “Communication breakdown” California Job Journal, 2010,
Vol 28, pp.1-9.
[14] S. Kvale, “Doing Interviews”, Thousand Oaks: Sage, 2009.
[15] S. Kvale & S. Brinkmann, “Interviews: Learning the Craft of Qualitative
Research Interviewing”, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, 2008.
[16] Lei Han, “Soft Skills – Ask s Wharton MBA”, Website retrieved in 2015
from https://bemycareercoach.com/soft-skills/hard-skills-softskills.
html.
[17] R. L. Laud & M. Johnson, “The future of the MBA curriculum:
improving relevancy through evidenced based soft skills”, Proceedings
of the Academy of Educational Leadership (AEL), Allied Academies
International Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 4-7, 2012,
17(1), 63-68.
[18] G. W. Mitchel, L. B. Skinner and B. J. White, “Essential Soft Skills for
Success in the Twenty First Century Workforce as Perceived by
Business Educators”, 2010, pp. 43-53.
[19] C. Nealy, “Integrating soft skills through active learning in the
management classroom”, Journal of College Teaching & Learning,
2005, 2(4), 1-6.
[20] P. X. Nha, “Mô hình đào tạo gắn với nhu cầu doanh nghiệp ở Việt Nam
hiện nay”, Scientific Magazine, Hanoi National University, economics
and Business 25(2009), pp.1-8.
[21] Oblinger, G. Diana, Verville, Anne-Lee, “What business wants from
higher education”, American Council on Education, 1998, Oryx Press
series on higher education.
[22] OECD, “Innovation and growth”, 2007, Retrived from
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/2/31/39374789.pdf.
[23] OneVietnam, "Students in Ho Chi Minh City Are Weak in Soft Skills.",
2010, retrieved from http://talk.onevietnam.org/students-in-ho-chi-minhcity-
are-weak-in-soft-skills/.
[24] W. S. M. Osman, A. Girardi, & M. Paull, “Educator perceptions of soft
skill development: An examination within the Malaysian public higher
education sector”, The International Journal of Learning, 2012, 18(10),
pp.50-62.
[25] J. Payne, “The unbearable lightness of skill: the changing meaning of
skill in UK policy discourses and some implications for education and
training”, Journal of Education Policy, 2000, 15(3):353–369.
[26] H. Perreault, “Business educators can take a leadership role in character
education”, Business Education Forum, 2004, 59(1): 23-24.
[27] K. K. S. Pittenger, M. C. Miller & J. Mott, “Using real-world standards
to enhance students' presentation skills”, Business Communication
Quarterly, 2004, Vol. 67(3). p 327-336
[28] M. Saunders &J. Machell, "Understanding emerging trends in higher
education curricula and work connections," Higher Education Policy 13,
2000, pp. 287–302.
[29] S. Smith, “The Skills Challenge: Preparing a Bridge for the Workforce
Skills Gap”, In W. Whihelm, J. Logan, S. Smith and L. Szul, Meeting
the Demand: Teaching “Soft” Skills. Delta Phi Epsilon, 2002.
[30] W. Stephen, P. Doughty, P. J. Gray, J. E. Hopcroft, & I. F. Silvera,
“Observations on undergraduate education in computer science,
electrical engineering, and physics at select universities in Vietnam”, In
V. E. Foundation (Ed.), Washington: Vietnam Education Foundation,
2006, pp. 120.
[31] P. Tamkin, M. Cowling & W. Hunt, “People and the Bottom Line.
London: The Work Foundation, 2007.
[32] E. Trauth, D. Farwell & D. Lee, "The IS expectation gap: Industry
expectation versus academia preparation," 1993, MIS Quarterly 17: 293-
307.
[33] Q. T Trung & Swierczeck, “Skills development in higher education in
Vietnam”, Asia Pacific Business Review, 2009, 15(4), 565-586.
[34] T. T. Tuyet, “Limitation on the development of skills in higher
education in Vietnam”, Higher Education, 2013, 65(5), 631-644.
[35] M. Watts & R. K. Watts, “Developing soft skills in students", 2008,
retrieved from http://l08.cgpublisher.com/proposals/64/index_htm
[36] S. Weligamage, “Graduates' employability skills: Evidence from
literature review, Sub Theme A–Enhancing Employability through
Quality Assurance–ASAIHL”, 2009, Retrieved from
http://mit.kln.ac.lk/uokr/ASAIHL/SubThemeA8.pdf
[37] T. J. Vallely & B. Wilkinson, “Vietnamese higher education: crisis and
response,” Memorandum, Higher Education Task Force, Harward
kennedy school, Ash institute for democratic governance and innovation
Asia programmes, 2008, pp.1-11.
http://www.hks.harvard.edu/innovations/asia/Documents/HigherEducati
onOverview112008.pdf
[38] VOER, “Một số vấn đề về thất nghiệp”, Available from
http://voer.edu.vn/m/mot-so-van-de-ve-that-nghiep/73b673e4.
[39] U. Yucelt, “Comparative study of students’ perception on quality of
MBA programs”, Journal of International Marketing Research, 1998,
Vol. 23 (1). p27-33.
[40] P. T. Huyen, “Higher education in Vietnam: A look from labour market
angle”, Hanoi: Vietnam Development Forum. Retrieved on December
22, 2008 from http://www.vdf.org.vn/
Doc/2008/VDFConf_WIPHuyen.pdf.
[1] M. Alvesson & K. Sko¨ldberg, “Reflexive Methodology: Interpretation
and Research,” Sage, 2000, London Bowers, M. Y.
[2] Bộ Giáo dục và Đào tạo. ‘Tổng kết và đánh giá mười năm đổi mới giáo
dục và đào tạo’ [‘Summary and Evaluation of Ten Years of Renovation
in Education and Training’], Bộ Giáo dục và Đào tạo, Hà Nội, 1997.
[3] N.T. Ca, “Universities as Drivers of the Urban Economies in Asia: The
Case of Vietnam”. Policy Research Working Paper: World Bank, 2006.
[4] T. Q. Duoc, “Quality of Business Graduates in Vietnamese Institutions:
Multiples Perspectives. Journal of Management Development”, 2006,
26(7), 629-643.
[5] T. Q. Duoc & M. Christoph, “Quality of Business Graduates in
Vietnamese Institutions: Multiple Perspectives”, Journal of Management
Development, 2007, Vol.26 Iss: 7pp. 629 – 643.
[6] J. David, ‘Leadership and Professional Development: An Integral Part of
the Business Curriculum’, Business Education Innovation Journal, 2010,
Vol.2.
[7] M. B. Davies, “Doing a successful research project: Using qualitative
and quantitative methods”, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.
[8] B. DiCicco-Bloom & B. F. Crabtree, 2006, “The qualitative research
interview”, Medical Education, 2006, 40, 4, 314-321.
[9] E. Hommerichhausen, “The effective engineer – the soft skills”, p
roceedings of 5th international colloquium on engineering education,
South Carolina, 2002, October 24-27, Available from
http://www.uri.edu/iep/colloquia/2002/effective_engineer.pdf
[10] C. Fotopoulos & E. Psomas, “The use of quality management tools and
techniques in ISO 9001:2000 certified companies: the Greek case”,
International Journal of Productivity &Performance Management, 2008,
Vol. 58, No.6, pp. 564-580.
[11] Giao Giuc Vietnam, ‘63% sinh vien that nghiep, chat luong giao duc co
van de’. Retrieved on Sep 20, 2012. From http://giaogiuc.net.vn
[12] I. Grugulis, “Putting skills to work: learning and employment at the start
of the century”, Human Resource Management Journal, 2003, 13(2): 3-
12.
[13] P. Klaus, “Communication breakdown” California Job Journal, 2010,
Vol 28, pp.1-9.
[14] S. Kvale, “Doing Interviews”, Thousand Oaks: Sage, 2009.
[15] S. Kvale & S. Brinkmann, “Interviews: Learning the Craft of Qualitative
Research Interviewing”, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, 2008.
[16] Lei Han, “Soft Skills – Ask s Wharton MBA”, Website retrieved in 2015
from https://bemycareercoach.com/soft-skills/hard-skills-softskills.
html.
[17] R. L. Laud & M. Johnson, “The future of the MBA curriculum:
improving relevancy through evidenced based soft skills”, Proceedings
of the Academy of Educational Leadership (AEL), Allied Academies
International Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 4-7, 2012,
17(1), 63-68.
[18] G. W. Mitchel, L. B. Skinner and B. J. White, “Essential Soft Skills for
Success in the Twenty First Century Workforce as Perceived by
Business Educators”, 2010, pp. 43-53.
[19] C. Nealy, “Integrating soft skills through active learning in the
management classroom”, Journal of College Teaching & Learning,
2005, 2(4), 1-6.
[20] P. X. Nha, “Mô hình đào tạo gắn với nhu cầu doanh nghiệp ở Việt Nam
hiện nay”, Scientific Magazine, Hanoi National University, economics
and Business 25(2009), pp.1-8.
[21] Oblinger, G. Diana, Verville, Anne-Lee, “What business wants from
higher education”, American Council on Education, 1998, Oryx Press
series on higher education.
[22] OECD, “Innovation and growth”, 2007, Retrived from
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/2/31/39374789.pdf.
[23] OneVietnam, "Students in Ho Chi Minh City Are Weak in Soft Skills.",
2010, retrieved from http://talk.onevietnam.org/students-in-ho-chi-minhcity-
are-weak-in-soft-skills/.
[24] W. S. M. Osman, A. Girardi, & M. Paull, “Educator perceptions of soft
skill development: An examination within the Malaysian public higher
education sector”, The International Journal of Learning, 2012, 18(10),
pp.50-62.
[25] J. Payne, “The unbearable lightness of skill: the changing meaning of
skill in UK policy discourses and some implications for education and
training”, Journal of Education Policy, 2000, 15(3):353–369.
[26] H. Perreault, “Business educators can take a leadership role in character
education”, Business Education Forum, 2004, 59(1): 23-24.
[27] K. K. S. Pittenger, M. C. Miller & J. Mott, “Using real-world standards
to enhance students' presentation skills”, Business Communication
Quarterly, 2004, Vol. 67(3). p 327-336
[28] M. Saunders &J. Machell, "Understanding emerging trends in higher
education curricula and work connections," Higher Education Policy 13,
2000, pp. 287–302.
[29] S. Smith, “The Skills Challenge: Preparing a Bridge for the Workforce
Skills Gap”, In W. Whihelm, J. Logan, S. Smith and L. Szul, Meeting
the Demand: Teaching “Soft” Skills. Delta Phi Epsilon, 2002.
[30] W. Stephen, P. Doughty, P. J. Gray, J. E. Hopcroft, & I. F. Silvera,
“Observations on undergraduate education in computer science,
electrical engineering, and physics at select universities in Vietnam”, In
V. E. Foundation (Ed.), Washington: Vietnam Education Foundation,
2006, pp. 120.
[31] P. Tamkin, M. Cowling & W. Hunt, “People and the Bottom Line.
London: The Work Foundation, 2007.
[32] E. Trauth, D. Farwell & D. Lee, "The IS expectation gap: Industry
expectation versus academia preparation," 1993, MIS Quarterly 17: 293-
307.
[33] Q. T Trung & Swierczeck, “Skills development in higher education in
Vietnam”, Asia Pacific Business Review, 2009, 15(4), 565-586.
[34] T. T. Tuyet, “Limitation on the development of skills in higher
education in Vietnam”, Higher Education, 2013, 65(5), 631-644.
[35] M. Watts & R. K. Watts, “Developing soft skills in students", 2008,
retrieved from http://l08.cgpublisher.com/proposals/64/index_htm
[36] S. Weligamage, “Graduates' employability skills: Evidence from
literature review, Sub Theme A–Enhancing Employability through
Quality Assurance–ASAIHL”, 2009, Retrieved from
http://mit.kln.ac.lk/uokr/ASAIHL/SubThemeA8.pdf
[37] T. J. Vallely & B. Wilkinson, “Vietnamese higher education: crisis and
response,” Memorandum, Higher Education Task Force, Harward
kennedy school, Ash institute for democratic governance and innovation
Asia programmes, 2008, pp.1-11.
http://www.hks.harvard.edu/innovations/asia/Documents/HigherEducati
onOverview112008.pdf
[38] VOER, “Một số vấn đề về thất nghiệp”, Available from
http://voer.edu.vn/m/mot-so-van-de-ve-that-nghiep/73b673e4.
[39] U. Yucelt, “Comparative study of students’ perception on quality of
MBA programs”, Journal of International Marketing Research, 1998,
Vol. 23 (1). p27-33.
[40] P. T. Huyen, “Higher education in Vietnam: A look from labour market
angle”, Hanoi: Vietnam Development Forum. Retrieved on December
22, 2008 from http://www.vdf.org.vn/
Doc/2008/VDFConf_WIPHuyen.pdf.
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:73022", author = "Hang T. T. Truong and Ronald S. Laura and Kylie Shaw", title = "New Insights for Soft Skills Development in Vietnamese Business Schools: Defining Essential Soft Skills for Maximizing Graduates’ Career Success", abstract = "Within Vietnam's system of higher education, its
schools of business play a vital role in supporting the country’s
economic objectives. However, the crucial contribution of soft skills
for maximal success within the business sector has to date not been
adequately recognized by its business schools. This being so, the
development of the business school curriculum in Vietnam has not
been able to 'catch up', so to say, with the burgeoning need of
students for a comprehensive soft skills program designed to meet the
national and global business objectives of their potential employers.
The burden of the present paper is first to reveal the results of our
survey in Vietnam which make explicit the extent to which major
Vietnamese industrial employers’ value the potential role that soft
skill competencies can play in maximizing business success. Our
final task will be to determine which soft skills employers discern as
best serving to maximize the economic interests of Vietnam within
the global marketplace. Semi-structured telephone interviews have
been conducted with the 15 representative Head Employers of
Vietnam's reputedly largest and most successful of the diverse
business enterprises across Vietnam. The findings of the study
indicate that all respondents highly value the increasing importance
of soft skills in business success. Our critical analysis of respondent
data reveals that 19 essential soft skills are deemed by employers as
integral to business workplace efficacy and should thus be integrated
into the formal business curriculum. We are confident that our study
represents the first comprehensive and specific survey yet undertaken
within the business sector in Vietnam which accesses and analyses
the opinions of representative employers from major companies
across the country in regard to the growing importance of 19 specific
soft skills essential for maximizing overall business success. Our
research findings also reveal that the integration into business school
curriculums nationwide of the soft skills we have identified is of
paramount importance to advance the national and global economic
interests of Vietnam.", keywords = "Business curriculum, business graduates, employers’
perception, soft skills.", volume = "10", number = "6", pages = "1857-7", }
