Jensen, Eric. (2011) Perceptions and experiences of employer engagement amongst university staff : a case study. Networks, Vol.14 . ISSN 1743-9787

Abstract

The UK government and universities have stepped up calls for engagement with employers in response to the economic downturn and partial withdrawal of public funding. In this context, universities‘ commitment to employer engagement at a corporate policy level is clear. But how well is the concept of employer engagement understood by university staff expected to carry it out? This case study (n=96) of one post-1992 university indicates that there is a substantial level of uncertainty, self-reported ignorance, incomplete understandings and even outright resistance to the concept of employer engagement. Only a minority of respondents to a mixed methods web-based survey felt they understood the context around calls for employer engagement. On the positive side, a slim majority of respondents were able to offer a definition that accurately accounted for at least one aspect of employer engagement at some level. Also, a clear majority of respondents had some prior experience with employer engagement. This paper argues that the lack of shared understanding around this concept comprises a significant barrier to its adoption by university staff. However, it is argued that this barrier can be overcome.

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