BUKU ABSTRAK - Universiti Putra Malaysia

Social Sciences
The Effectiveness of Training in the Public Service
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haslinda Abdullah
Mohd. Mahyuddin Yahya
Faculty of Economics and Management, University Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
+603-8946 7638; hba@putra.upm.edu.my
The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of training and development in the public sector using
training evaluation framework and transfer of training elements. Quantitative method through questionnaire
survey was used for data collection in which questionnaires were distributed to respondents in various ministries
and departments in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. The findings of this study suggest that
public service employees were evaluated at all five levels of evaluation, namely, the reaction, learning, behaviour
change, results and transfer of training levels. Factors that can affect the effectiveness of training in the public
sector include: 1) lack of support from top management and peers; 2) personal attitude, 3) job-related factors; 4)
deficiencies in training practice. Information obtained could be practical when management decides to analyse
the evaluation and transfer of training elements that has been addressed in this study as to get management
support and to create conducive environment to apply related skill and knowledge on the job.
Keywords: Training and development, evaluation, transfer of training, public service, Malaysia
Attributes and Work Values of MBA Graduates for Employability
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haslinda Abdullah
Lee Chai Yee
Faculty of Economics and Management, University Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
+603-8946 7638; hba@putra.upm.edu.my
The purpose of this research is to identify the characteristics and attributes of Master of Business
Administration (MBA) graduates for employability in the workforce. This paper draws upon data from an
inductive study where self-administered questionnaire were distributed to employers in organisations. The mode
of inquiry adopted for the fieldwork was based upon judgmental purposive sampling in which questionnaires
were emailed to human resource managers, heads of department, recruiters or any personnel with hiring decisions
across various industries in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. The findings suggest that cognitive skills, generic
competencies are important attributes. Ten top important attributes for MBA graduates employability include
management and leadership skills; good interpersonal skills; written spoken and English communication skills;
good presentation skills; knowledgeable and intellectual; creative and innovative; strong analytical and critical
thinking ability and team working. Work values that employers suggest as important include conscientiousness,
agreeableness and openness to change as well as affability and camaraderie. Hence, it is pertinent that graduate
business schools consider the importance of these attributes and work values in producing MBA graduates for
employability.
Keywords: Attributes, work values, MBA graduates, employability
110