How do Chinese international business students develop bridging social capital in Australia to improve their self-perception of their employability?

Masters Thesis


Das, Susmita. 2021. How do Chinese international business students develop bridging social capital in Australia to improve their self-perception of their employability? Masters Thesis Master of Science (Research). University of Southern Queensland. https://doi.org/10.26192/q6xw9
Title

How do Chinese international business students develop bridging social capital in Australia to improve their self-perception of their employability?

TypeMasters Thesis
Authors
AuthorDas, Susmita
Supervisor
1. FirstProf Peter McIlveen
2. SecondMatthew McDonald
2. SecondA/Pr Henriette van Rensburg
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Qualification NameMaster of Science (Research)
Number of Pages104
Year2021
PublisherUniversity of Southern Queensland
Place of PublicationAustralia
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.26192/q6xw9
Abstract

Immediately prior to the COVID-19 pandemic international education contributed over $37 billion to the Australian economy. Most students came from China and chose an Australian education because they expected it would improve their career prospects. However, evidence shows that even prior to COVID-19, international students were struggling to find opportunities to develop their employability, leading to dissatisfaction with their investment. Australia’s third largest export industry may be at risk unless the problem of international student employability is addressed. Social capital is a key factor of employability, however international students are stripped of their social capital as soon as they arrive in Australia, instantly compromising their employability. The purpose of this research was to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges that six international Chinese business students at the University of Sydney experienced as they rebuilt their social capital in Australia, and how they overcame those challenges to improve their self-perception of their employability. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used as the methodological approach as it allowed an in-depth exploration and interpretation of the meaning that the participants made of those experiences. The research found the challenges were a result of the tensions between the cultural expectations of Australians and the participants’ Confucian heritage upbringing. The participants were able to navigate these tensions by having a growth mindset—they reframed challenges as learning opportunities. This enabled them to develop their bridging social capital, improve their employability and achieve their goal of finding work in Australia.

Keywordsinternational students, employability, social capital, growth mindset, Australia
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020350502. Employment equity and diversity
Public Notes

File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author.

Byline AffiliationsSchool of Education
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