Exploring the Relevant Skills Needed for the Digital Age Employees

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the relevant skills needed for the digital age employees in business. After reviewing prior studies and literature, it was recognized that technology changed the requirements of employment. Digital technology stimulated an effect on employment in a wide range of business industries, changing the labor-force requirements. A qualitative approach was used to provide deeper insights into the studies presented in the literature. The aim of the exploration was to validate the research variables and develop a proposed conceptual framework of the vital skills relevant in the digital age labor-market. Three focus groups were steered in this study. Each focus group contained seven participants who were managers in various companies in different business sectors in Cairo or Alexandria. The participants in each focus group were homogeneous. The managers were into groups according to their company’s classification (local, multinational, and non-profit organization). The organizations were chosen based on a purposive sample and only organizations with a human resource department were invited to take part. According to the thematic analysis results, managers recruit graduates not only with technical skills, as represented by the degree obtained or the subjects that they took in college, but also with their employability skills: personal skills in business practices and digital media and information literacy. This study offered practical and academic contributions. The empirical evidences supported that technology has changed the requirements of employment, developing a proposed conceptual framework that recognizes the main skills needed in the digital age workforce.

Keywords: Digital Age, Employability, Hard Skills, Media Literacy, Soft Skills, Workforce.

DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-2-07

Publication date: January 31^st 2020