Factors Influencing Unemployment Rate Among Hospitality Industry Graduates in Malaysia

Abstract

Unemployment cases among hospitality graduates throughout Malaysia cause economic, social and political harm. The number of students who have graduated has increased year by year. This study aims to determine the relationship between attitudes of graduates and the unemployment rate among hospitality industry graduates. This study was conducted in Malaysia. The total sample size for this study was 384 respondents, who were randomly selected to answer 31 questions. The results show that the dependent variable (unemployment rate among hospitality industry graduates) is influenced by independent variables (attitude of graduate, style of employment and level of interest and commitment). Overall, based on Pearson’s correlation analysis, the attitude of graduates scored a value of *0.692, followed by employment style with *0.794, and level of interest and commitment with *0.422. There was a strong positive significant and weak positive significant. The findings of this study can be used as a guide for hospitality operators and academics looking to understand the problem of the unemployment rate among hospitality industry graduates in Malaysia.