Graduates’ Performance of Business Administration Program at the National University of Laos

Abstract

             The main purpose of this case study was to investigate the performance of graduates earning a BBA based on human capital principles. The informants of the study were graduates of the BBA program at the National University of Laos from 2007 to 2014. They were from three groups, which were the self-employed, management and operation groups. Twenty-eight informants from organizations, public companies and the private sectors were selected. The data were collected with in-depth and semi-structure interviews, and analyzed based on manual coding. The findings: Three groups of BBA graduates have reported on performance that they still kept learning after gaining direct knowledge from the BBA program as applied to work. They gave priority to product quality and honesty to customers. All groups valued and recognized the importance of internal unity, teamwork, English and focusing on IT, specifically the use of social networks. Each group differed in several aspects. The self-employed group ran businesses using a family management style but discipline was the core of work. After graduating, they developed new management systems and the knowledge most required was human resource management, marketing, and ethics. The management group was working in higher positions and proud of their achievements. The performances required were leadership and human resource management. The operation group gained experience and chances to meet many people from work, which made them patient. They learned to work under pressure and handle heavy workloads. The problems at work were English and IT skills.