Labour market determinants of private demand for postgraduate studies in selected universities in Kenya
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Date
2024-04
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Postgraduate training and research is crucial in driving Kenya into a middle income economy. However, while the private demand for postgraduate studies in universities in Kenya has been on an upward trend, it has started going down. This may hamper realization of both the university objectives and Kenya vision 2030. Reviewed literature shows that among other determinants, factors related to the labour market affect an individuals' choice to undertake postgraduate studies. Against this context the study set out to establish the degree to which perceived returns, skills requirements for a knowledge economy, labour force status and shifting workforce demographics affect private demand for postgraduate studies in selected universities in Kenya. The human capital theory which espouses that investments in education and training enhance productivity and economic success, guided the study. In line with the Follow-Up variant of the Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods design, the study was conducted in two phases namely, the quantitative and qualitative phases. Specific quantitative findings that necessitated further explanation were identified by focusing on extreme or outlier cases, as well as unexpected outcomes This enabled the collecting of qualitative data from participants, in the second phase, who could best help explain the quantitative findings. The target population for this study comprised all the 60,101 students pursuing Master’s and PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degrees in both public and private chartered universities in Kenya during the study period. Using snowball, systematic and proportionate sampling, 396 Master’s and PhD students were selected from 4 public chartered universities and 3 private chartered universities, which were purposively selected. The study used primary data obtained through questionnaires and interviews. A panel of experts helped establish questionnaire validity while validity of the interview guide was determined through respondent validation. The internal consistency of the questionnaires was assessed using Cronbach's alpha statistic which gave a value of α = 0.7. A pilot study was conducted using one public and one private university so as to determine the reliability as well as the validity of the research instruments. The quantitative data were computed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while the qualitative data were computed through thematic and content analysis methods. The findings were presented in the form of charts, graphs and tables. Perceived returns (B = .57 and p = .004 < .05) and labour force status [Unemployment (B = .019 and p = .004 < .05), Employment (B = .015 and p = .002 < .05)] were found to be significant predictors of private demand for postgraduate studies. Self-employment (B = -.007 and p = .244 > .05) as a labour force status, was however found not to be statistically significant to private demand for postgraduate studies. Though skills requirements for a knowledge economy (B = .447 and p = .099 > .05) and shifting workforce demographics (B = .034 and p = .237 > .05) were found to be statistically significant to private demand for postgraduate studies, they were found to be non-significant predictors of private demand for postgraduate studies. The research suggests that while pursuing postgraduate studies enhances an individual's competitiveness in an organization, it falls short in providing essential skills for the job market, and this could explain why the demand for postgraduate studies is on a downward trend. To increase postgraduate participation rates, the study recommends the integration of innovative studies in Kenyan universities to address advanced skills requirements. The study also recommends fostering university-employer partnerships to provide accurate information, relevant training, and employment prospects for postgraduate students.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (educational planning and Economics of Education) in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning of Kenyatta University April 2024
Supervisors; Dr.George Onyango and Dr. Norbert Ogeta