Student Work Readiness in Higher Education: The Role of Organizational Engagement, Academic Performance, and Learning Environment

Abstract

Work readiness has become a critical issue in higher education human resource management, particularly in bridging the gap between academic competence and industry demands. However, empirical evidence from private universities in developing regions remains limited. Objective: This study aims to examine the partial and simultaneous effects of organizational engagement, academic performance, and learning environment on student work readiness at Boyolali University, Indonesia. Methods: A quantitative research design was employed. Data were collected through structured questionnaires distributed to 55 students from the 2021 cohort. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to test the hypotheses. Results: The F-test results indicated that organizational engagement, academic performance, and learning environment simultaneously have a significant effect on student work readiness (p < 0.001). The coefficient of determination (Adjusted R² = 0.312) revealed that the three independent variables collectively explain 31.2% of the variance in work readiness. Conclusion: Organizational engagement, academic performance, and learning environment are essential determinants of student work readiness. Higher education institutions should promote organizational engagement and optimize learning environments to enhance graduate employability. Further research is recommended to explore other contextual variables.