Assessing Industry Partners Experience among BSBA OJT Students in Select Tertiary Education vis-à-vis Hiring Decisions in the Private Business Sector

Allan Pleno; Jane Frances Espiritu; Jerome Dizon

doi:10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI3.246

Authors

Allan B. Pleno, LPT, MBA, DBA Bulacan State University https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2620-6605
Jane Frances R. Espiritu, LPT, MBA, DBA National University-Philippines https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5207-6271
Jerome L. Dizon, LPT, MBA, Ph.D https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4762-3102

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI3.246

Keywords:

Keywords:, BSBA OJT Students, Hiring decisions, Industry partner experience

Abstract

In two main service lines—Business Banking & Finance (53% of respondents) and Business Marketing & Management (47%), this study examined at industry partners' expectations of cultural and traditional skills competencies and how they affect hiring decisions. According to the findings, both service lines place a high value on a well-rounded combination of technical, interpersonal, organizational, intellectual, and personal skills, with a particular emphasis on technical skills. While other competencies were rated as "extremely expected," intellectual skills were rated as "highly expected." An independent samples t-test revealed no statistically significant difference in expectations between service lines in Banking and Finance; Business Marketing and Management (p = 0.140).

Hiring decisions were found to be consistent across service lines (χ²=24.5, df=16, p=0.078) and years of operation (χ²=19.2, df=15, p=0.206), according to the results of the study. The integrated nature of technical and soft skills in recruitment is further highlighted by strong positive correlations between hiring influences and competency skills indicators. These findings inform curriculum design and workforce readiness initiatives by highlighting the increasing need for comprehensive skill development that combines specialized knowledge with emotional intelligence to meet changing industry demands.

Author Biographies

Allan B. Pleno, LPT, MBA, DBA, Bulacan State University

Dr. Allan B. Pleno is a dedicated educator, industry expert, and mentor who has spent his career bridging the gap between academia and real-world business practice. As the Department Chair for the BS Entrepreneurship Program at Bulacan State University, he is passionate about shaping future entrepreneurs and business leaders. Holding a Doctor of Business Administration degree from Baliuag University and a license as a professional teacher, Dr. Pleno combines strong academic credentials with extensive industry experience. He has gained valuable insights through key roles in organizational management, finance, and operations at prominent companies such as San Miguel Pure Foods Corporation, Bank of Makati, Total Petroleum Philippines Corporation, and Aras Garden and Resort. Beyond his administrative and managerial roles, Dr. Pleno is an active researcher and author, serving as a Research Consultant at the ETCOR Educational Research Center in Region III. His scholarly work covers Business Process Outsourcing, Feasibility Studies, Business Ethics, and Purposive Communication, with several of his peer-reviewed articles published in Scopus-indexed journals. These publications highlight his contributions to advancing knowledge on sustainable business practices, innovation, and ethical decision-making, earning recognition in both local and international academic circles. As a mentor, Dr. Pleno is deeply committed to empowering students and professionals alike, using his leadership, research, and real-world experience to inspire and guide the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Jane Frances R. Espiritu, LPT, MBA, DBA, National University-Philippines

Jane Frances R. Espiritu is a professor at the NU Baliwag School of Business and Accountancy, where she also serves as the Community Extension Coordinator of the School of Business and Accountancy (SBA). She holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA) and is a candidate for graduation in the Doctor in Business Administration (DBA) program. A licensed professional teacher, she is also a Certified Financial Markets Professional and a Certified Digital Marketing Professional. She serves as a board member of the Executive Council of Deans and Educators in Business (ECODEB) and the Council of Management Educators and Professionals in the Philippines (COMEPP). With her extensive background in teaching and academic leadership, she is a seasoned educator in the fields of business and accountancy.

Jerome L. Dizon, LPT, MBA, Ph.D

Dr. Jerome L. Dizon is a Licensed Professional Teacher with extensive academic and industry experience in the field of Business Administration. He currently serves as a full-time Associate Professor I under the School of Business and Accountancy Management at National University – Baliwag. He previously held key leadership positions, including Vice President for Research and Extension and Vice President for Administration and Finance at Gapan City College. Mr. Dizon holds both a Master’s Degree and a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration from Wesleyan University – Philippines.

References

[1] Abat, R. B. (2025). Maximizing the impact of On-the-Job Training (OJT) for BSBA students: Strengthening university-business industry partnership. International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management, 7(2), 261–268. https://doi.org/10.35629/5252-0702261268 DOI: https://doi.org/10.35629/5252-0702261268

[2] Abdullahi, Y., & Abdullah, N. H. (2022). The relationship between period operating and growth aspects in small businesses. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 13(3), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.30845/ijbss.v13n3p5

[3] Calvino, F., Giachini, D., & Guerini, M. (2020). The age distribution of business firms (LEM Working Paper Series No. 2020/20). Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies. https://hdl.handle.net/10419/228159

[4] Cameron, K. S., & Quinn, R. E. (2011). Diagnosing and changing organizational culture: Based on the competing values framework. Addison-Wesley. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429445985

[5] Chamorro-Premuzic, T., Winsborough, D., Sherman, R. A., & Hogan, R. (2017). New talent signals: Shiny new objects or a brave new world? Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 10(3), 344–350. https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2017.21 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2016.6

[6] Chan, Y., & Walmsley, R. P. (1997). Learning and understanding the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis-of-variance-by-ranks test for differences among three or more independent groups. Physical Therapy, 77(12), 1755–1762. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/77.12.1755 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/77.12.1755

[7] Chen, Y., Wang, H., & Zhang, X. (2023). The impact of interpersonal and communication skills on client satisfaction in financial services. Journal of Business Research, 159, 113430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.11.015

[8] Dovetail. (2023, February 6). Descriptive research: Design, methods, examples, and FAQs. https://dovetail.com/research/descriptive-research/

[9] Ethridge, D. E. (2009). Research methodology in applied economics: Organizing, planning, and conducting economic research (2nd ed.). Wiley.

[10] Frontiers in Sociology. (2023). Organizational culture and the individuals’ discretionary behaviors at work. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2023.1190488 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2023.1190488

[11] Glass, G. V., & Hopkins, K. D. (1984). Statistical methods in education and psychology (3rd ed.). Prentice-Hall.

[12] Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G. J., & Minkov, M. (2010). Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.

[13] Investopedia. (2024). What is the human capital theory and how is it used? https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/032715/what-human-capital-and-how-it-used.asp

[14] Johnson, M., & Smith, A. (2023). The rising influence of soft skills in financial sector hiring decisions. Human Resource Management Review, 33(2), 100876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2022.100876 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2021.100876

[15] Labitad, J. B. (2025). Linking academic and OJT performance of BSBA students. Journal of Tertiary Education and Learning, 3(2), 46–53. https://doi.org/10.54536/jtel.v3i2.4656 DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/jtel.v3i2.4656

[16] Lee, J., & Park, S. (2022). Technical skill requirements and hiring decisions in the banking industry. Journal of Banking and Finance, 135, 106482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbankfin.2021.106482

[17] Martínez, L., & Gómez, R. (2022). Cultural competencies in business service lines: A comparative study. International Journal of Business and Management, 17(3), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v17n3p45

[18] McKight, P. E., & Najab, J. (2010). Kruskal-Wallis test. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Computational Statistics, 2(1), 93–96. https://doi.org/10.1002/wics.49 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470479216.corpsy0491

[19] Nguyen, T., & Tran, H. (2021). Strategic competencies in financial services: Impact on recruitment and firm performance. Journal of Financial Services Marketing, 26(4), 290–302. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41266-020-00096-4

[20] Oyer, P., & Schaefer, S. (2015). Exploration for human capital: Theory and evidence from the MBA labor market. IZA Discussion Paper No. 7638. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2255713

[21] Patel, S., & Lee, J. (2023). The role of cultural skills in business management and finance sectors. Journal of Business Research, 155, 112–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.10.033

[22] Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Paine, J. B., & Bachrach, D. G. (2000). Organizational citizenship behaviors: A critical review of the theoretical and empirical literature and suggestions for future research. Journal of Management, 26(3), 513–563. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920630002600307 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/014920630002600307

[23] QuestionPro. (2025, May 23). Descriptive research: Characteristics, methods + examples. https://www.questionpro.com/blog/descriptive-research/

[24] Qubati, D., et al. (2021). Adaptation and flexibility of BSBA students during On-the-Job Training. JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research, 57, 87–100. https://philair.ph/index.php/jpair/article/download/894/1853/3603

[25] Rahman, S., & Noor, A. (2024). Organizational and managerial competencies in banking: A strategic perspective. Journal of Financial Services Marketing, 29(1), 12–25. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41266-023-00203-7

[26] Rivera, L. A. (2012). Hiring as cultural matching: The case of elite professional service firms. American Sociological Review, 77(6), 999–1022. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122412463213 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122412463213

[27] Robles, M. M. (2012). Executive perceptions of the top 10 soft skills needed in today’s workplace. Business Communication Quarterly, 75(4), 453–465. https://doi.org/10.1177/1080569912460400 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1080569912460400

[28] Salas Velasco, M. (2012). More than just good grades: Candidates’ perceptions about the skills and attributes employers seek in new graduates. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 13(3), 499–517. https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2011.620150 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2011.620150

[29] Scribbr. (2023, June 22). Descriptive research: Definition, types, methods & examples. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/descriptive-research/

[30] Singh, R., & Kumar, P. (2021). Technical competence and performance in business banking: An empirical analysis. International Small Business Journal, 39(5), 456–474. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242620981234

[31] Six Sigma.us. (2025). Kruskal-Wallis test: Statistical analysis for Six Sigma projects. https://www.6sigma.us/six-sigma-in-focus/kruskal-wallis-test/

[32] Unimrkt. (2023, August 7). An expert’s guide to successful quantitative descriptive research. https://www.unimrkt.com/blog/an-experts-guide-to-successful-quantitative-descriptive-research.php

[33] Wang, J., Liu, H., & Yu, F. (2024). Research on the influence of bad working state on air traffic control: An analysis using Kruskal-Wallis test. Journal of Air Traffic Management, 12(3), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jatm2024.03.002

[34] Xia, Y. (2020). Kruskal-Wallis test. In Progress in molecular biology and translational science (Vol. 217, pp. 415–438). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.03.015