Huangfu, D; Chang, Y F; Lim, S L and Li, L (2025) Gap analysis between industry expectations and competencies of fresh quantity surveying graduates in China. International Journal of Construction Management, 25(16), pp. 2121-2136. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
The main aim of this study is to assess the competency gaps between industry expectations and present capabilities among Chinese fresh quantity surveying graduates with self-reported analysis. A novel measure with a high-dimensional measurement error model was utilised to evaluate competency gaps. We used a quantitative technique with purposive sampling to collect data via a questionnaire survey of 279 quantity surveying university graduates who had worked in China for no more than three years. The finding shows there is a slight competence gap in all 20 job performance indicators between fresh quantity surveying graduates' capabilities and the industry expectations. Among these performance indicators, it is observed that innovative insight, personal image, strain capacity, and business administration rank the largest gap. The survey discovered that universities' professional QS education meets the overall market demand for business management, but QS students' personality development still needs to be enhanced. Due to a lack of advice on management soft skills and personality development in curriculum design, QS professionals must manage a large number of projects with tight deadlines, budget constraints, and multi-party communication challenges. Management skills and personality development can help students make better decisions and communicate more effectively in the face of these challenges.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | competence; gap; industry expectation; quantity surveyor |
| Index terms: | survey, face, surveying, performance indicator, business management, China, questionnaire, competence, personality, budget constraint, gap analysis, quantity surveying, purposive sampling, business administration |
| Subjects: | behavioral psychology, research methods, Geography, psychology, performance management, performance measurement, personnel development, health monitoring assessment and metrics, financial and cost management, business, profession, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Human Resources, Roles and Professions, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Research Practice, Quality Management, Health and Safety, Geographical Context |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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