Social networking important to Asian business graduates

Tuesday 5 April 2011

Social networking and work experience important to Asian business graduates

In a second report of a three-year study, most Asian business graduates who attended New Zealand tertiary institutions highlighted the importance of social networking and work experience in seeking employment opportunities.

Asian business graduates highlighted the importance of substance behind a qualification and gaining work experience.

The foundation's research director, Dr Andrew Butcher, says the central findings focused on the role that Asia-born, New Zealand-trained business graduates played in the development of Asia-New Zealand business relationships.

"Although the report findings were promising in this regard, there were a number of factors that graduates identified as limiting to their employment opportunities, including the worth of their New Zealand business qualifications, New Zealand immigration processes, and the maintenance of Asia-New Zealand connections."

Despite some students' negative challenges, the report's authors said that the business graduates believed that they could contribute to Asia-New Zealand relationships as follows:

in Asia, through:

* providing New Zealand-related advice to businesses; * sharing New Zealand expertise; * promoting Asia-New Zealand business relationships at a policy level;

in a 'bridging' capacity, through:

* providing advice to both Asia- and New Zealand-based companies on areas of potential conflict or cultural misunderstanding; * working to promote understanding and exchange in educational contexts; * developing New Zealand-Asia business (trade) relationships;

and in New Zealand, through:

* providing companies with Asia-related services; or * providing Asian clients with accessible, culturally appropriate services.

The study was undertaken by International Student Ministries of New Zealand (ISM NZ) who surveyed a ranged of business graduates from Asian countries ranging from Pakistan, India through to Japan, Korea and Indonesia. The largest single nationality surveyed was from China.

For more information and a copy of the Tracking Studies Series of Asian Business Graduates Report 2 visit:

http://www.asianz.org.nz/our-work/knowledge-research/research-reports/bu siness-research

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