The effect of learning inputs on employability among university undergraduate students in Shandong Province: The mediating role of integrity

Abstract

With increasing competition in the labour market, enhancing employability of university students has become an important concern for higher education institutions. The primary objective was to examine the relationship among learning inputs, integrity, and employability among university undergraduate students in Shandong Province, China.A quantitative research design was adopted, and 384 full-time undergraduate students from six universities in Shandong Province were selected as research participants through a systematic sampling approach. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire based on established measurement scales. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was conducted to examine the hypothesized relationships. Findings confirmed that learning inputs exerted a significant positive influence on both integrity and employability among university undergraduate students. Furthermore, integrity significantly positively predicted employability. The mediation analysis demonstrated that integrity partially mediated the relationship between learning inputs and employability. This study concludes that improving learning inputs of students and cultivating integrity can effectively enhance employability. The findings suggest that universities should strengthen academic guidance, integrity education, and career development programmes to comprehensively improve employment competitiveness of students.