Determining the factors affecting the employment quality of Chinese college fresh graduates under the new employment forms in the digitalized economy
Date of Award
6-29-2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Policy Studies (DPS)
First Advisor
Prof. CHUA Mark Hansley Yang
Abstract
The employment of college graduates has been a subject of research in the social sciences research. This study aims to investigate the factors that affect the employment quality of Chinese college fresh graduates under the new employment form in the digitalized economy. By 2024, the number of Chinese college graduates is expected to exceed 11 million. The economic downturn in the post-pandemic era has intensified the pressure on the labor market. The emergence of the digital economy, characterized by advances in big data and AI, has led to new employment forms that reshape work and labor relations, as well as promote employment and innovation. However, these new employment forms also pose challenges to labor relations and the social welfare system, and raise important questions about the quality of employment.
The study targets fresh graduates and examines the factors that influence their employment quality in a digitalized economy. Through a comprehensive review of relevant literature, the study defined the characteristics of the new employment forms. Interviews were conducted with graduates employed in the new employment forms, based on the existing employment quality index system, to gather their perspectives. Evidence from experts and researchers is also included in the study. An index to assess the factors influencing employment quality of college fresh graduates under the new employment forms was developed using the analytical hierarchy process.
Finally, there was a self-assessment questionnaire, focus on the survey results, conduct a comprehensive difference analysis and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation to explore the current employment quality and policy implications to improve their employment quality. The interview findings suggest that the employment quality of fresh graduates under the new employment forms is influenced by 7 second-level indicators and 25 third-level indicators. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the weights of the indicators at each level were calculated and ranked. The ranking of factors as follows: personal preferences, job characteristics, career development, college support, family support, compensation and benefits, government support. The sequence of tertiary indicators is personal feelings, Income level, career opportunities, income stability, industry prospect, work intention, family capital support, family emotional support, personal interests, work welfare, autonomy, college reputation, work intensity, flexibility, in-house skills training, work stability, socially acceptable, policy support, college resources, skill level, major matching, interpersonal relationship, policy perception, employability and the employment guidance. According to the difference analysis and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, it can be seen that the employment quality of fresh graduates with urban household registration, graduates from 985-211 colleges, male, other-employed employment type is better than other regions, gender, college level, employment type. The study highlights that not the higher the income level, the higher the quality of employment. This is related to the labor social security, income stability and work intensity.
Based on the above analysis, recommendations are proposed to enhance the social security system, adapt career planning programs, actively promote facilitate industry-education integration, and explore new models for fostering undergraduates suitable for contemporary employment forms. By proposing policy implications based on these factors, the employment quality of fresh graduates could hopefully be improved, thus contributing to the overall development of the labor market in the digitalized era.
Language
English
Copyright
The copyright of this thesis is owned by its author. Any reproduction, adaptation, distribution or dissemination of this thesis without express authorization is strictly prohibited.
Recommended Citation
Lyu, J. (2024). Determining the factors affecting the employment quality of Chinese college fresh graduates under the new employment forms in the digitalized economy (doctoral thesis, Lingnan University, Hong Kong). Retrieved from https://commons.ln.edu.hk/otd_tpg/29/
