Competency Gap Evaluation Model for Computer Networks Profession: Bridging the Gap between Undergraduate Education and Industry Workforce Expectation
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Competency Gap Evaluation Model for
Computer Networks Profession: Bridging the
Gap between Undergraduate Education and
Industry Workforce Expectation
ArromEampraserth
Sripatum University 61 Phaholyothin Road Jatujak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Arrom.ea@gmail.com
Mekhabanchakij Kittima
Sripatum University 61 Phaholyothin Road Jatujak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
kittima.me@gmail.com
Abstract nationwide survey research of Computer
Network academia. The Competence
Computer Network is a very significant
Deficiency matrix of ICT will be useful for
field of study for professional work in ICT
ICT academia in improving quality of
industry (Crnkovic, 2003). A study of Kirida,
graduates accordingly.
et. al. (2008) has revealed that there was a
This paper has defined a Competence
problem in ICT professional in Computer
Deficiency matrix of ICT focusing on
Network, caused by the labor shortage in
Computer Network; based on EUCEIP
ICT, which has afflicted the economy
Standard in IT & Computer Science
progress. The finding also extended that the
Competency and Competency Model of
total skill deficiency in Thailand had risen up
Missouri University Research (2010) which
highly to 30% and 38% in 2004 and 2007
studied in 3 sections; Foundational, Industry
respectively. It was also noted that the labor
Related, and Occupation Competency. The
shortage in Thailand industrial sector was
industrial sector data are collected from 114
more severe than other countries. One of the
companies which covered 4 regions. Those
main problems in Computer Network Skill
companies are categorized into 5 groups;
Deficiency is the shortage of candidates with
Industry Factory of small and medium
the skills needed by the company.
enterprises (SMEs), Service Business &
To outcome these problems, it is
Hospital, Government Organization &
important to find out what factors determine
Military-industrial complex, Education of
the gap competency of Computer Network
University, and bank as well 3 rounds of
professionals. This should help the
nationwide survey research of Computer
appropriate skills which any candidate can
Network.
promptly apply for the job. This should help
The Competence Deficiency matrix of ICT
to improve quality of the graduates in order
will be useful for the company quality
that are suitable to the industry needs. This
assurance and the ability to complete the
paper has defined a Competence Deficiency
assigned work from the company. There are
matrix of ICT focusing on Computer
the four competency factors for measurement
Network; based on National Quality
in ICT professional.
Standard (NQS) and Thailand Quality
Framework (TQF) of ICT study as defined by
the Office of the Higher Education
Commission (OHEC); as well 3 rounds of
International Journal of the Computer, the Internet and Management Vol.20 No.2 (May-August, 2012) pp 44-50
44
Arrom Eampraserth and Mekhabanchakij Kittima
Keywords: Computer Network Competency of the subjects that contained in several
Factors, Computer Network Competency fields, such as computer science, computer
Model, ICT Professional, Competence Deficiency engineering, information technology, and
matrix of ICT. business computer curricula since it is crucial
part of ICT system.
I. INTRODUCTION
Table 1 Ministry of Information
At present the importance of computer
Communication Technology, National
network professional in Thailand is
Statistical Office, 2010
considerably significant in industrial field
based on Economic Activities, Commerce
Business and Service Business, Production,
Construction, Land Transport and Travel
Agent, and Hospital. Table 1 (Ministry of
Information Communication Technology,
National Statistical Office, 2010) [22] shows
percentage of the organization which form in
company business, have more employment in
information technology and communication The purpose of developing Computer
program, classified by economic activity.le Network Competency Model is to improve
Table 1). The problem of educational competency model for computer network
institution on Computer Network is the professional follow Thailand industry
difficulty of student perceptions. Chung’s requirement and to study competency factor
research found that focusing on theory and in computer network professional follow
technique without equipment was not industry professional autonomy and also to
interesting (Chung, 2007) [3]. Colin and et indicate the gap competency of computer
al. (Colin, 2009) [4] found that learners of network profession of universities in
this subject could not practice as taught or Thailand. Normally, the main objectives of
did not have sufficient time and did not have universities are to develop learners to possess
activities that related to instruction medium. knowledge in this filed, so the universities
In addition, David (2003) discovered that one have provided standard instruction. The
of the problem was learners did not have majority of them used ACM 2005 Standard.
prerequisite knowledge background necessary The university graduates should be able to
for the instruction. conduct their profession efficiently.
Computer network instruction in This research explored industrial
Thailand’s universities, these days, plays an requirements cover 4 regions (The North,
important role in industrial and trade sectors, Central, South and East) and divided into 5
government organizations, research, company groups. Those are groups of
education, medicine, communication network industry factory of small and medium
system, entertainment business and etc. enterprises (SMEs), group of Service Business &
Association for Computing Machinery Hospital, government organization & military-
(ACM, 2005) [1] design-aided profession, industrial complex, group of education of
development, analysis, qualification defining, University, and group of bank. It shows in
result warranty, maintenance and appraisal of outcome of study part.
results that are greatly different from the use II. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY
of ICT in terms of the study of the standard
Requirement of computer network
curriculum. To be widely accepted focusing
profession is reflected in Kirida et al.’s work
on competence and knowledge base in
(2008) that lack of skilled labor was a major
profession and study of computer network is
obstacle to economic development. Thailand
very important and crucial for ICT profession
was in the second rank of labor lacking
(Crnkovic, 2003). Computer network is one
counting for 38% in 2007 and 30% in 2004
45
Competency Gap Evaluation Model for Computer Networks Profession:
Bridging the Gap between Undergraduate Education and Industry Workforce Expectation
next to Brazil. This can be seen that Thailand 4. What is the computer network competency of
took longer period to recruit labor for current applicant and what is expected
production process at the rate of 5.2% competency?
compared with Korea’s which was 3.4% and
IV. RESEARCH MODEL
Indonesia’s which was 1.6%. The reason
why it took such a long period is because
applicants did not possess qualifications as
required by employers such as lack of
English literacy at the rate of 90%, lack of
information technology and ICT skill at 82%,
calculation skill at 60%, creativity at 45%
and leadership at 43%.
Table 2 Personal requirement classify by
educational and experience (Ministry of
Information Communication Technology, Figure 1 Research Model
National Statistical Office, 2010) To have professional in computer network
competency factors in the Figure 1 need to
have two input of computer network
professional standardize and industry
requirement in computer network. And
knowledge from education and internship to
increase competency level are matched with
standardize in computer network field.
V. OUTCOME OF STUDY
Outcome after Focus Group of computer
specialists and educational technology had
validated survey. There are 114 surveys on
Table 2 Work position which need the computer network industrial requirements
different level of cognitive and ability or skill cover 4 regions into 5 company groups.
in computer network. There are many There are group of industry factory of small
position, system manager, information and medium enterprises (SMEs), group of
technical specialist, ICT safety specialist, and Service Business & Hospital, government
telecommunication engineer. The position organization & military-industrial complex,
requirement in year 2552 is 804, as 7.55% of group of education of University, and group
all 10,641 positions. So Thailand has many of bank. The survey result is divided into
ICT labor shortages who have cognitive following factors:
knowledge in ICT and computer network 1. Skill and Operation
competency. 2. Behavior and Attitude
III. RESEARCH QUESTIONS 3. Specific Certified Professional
4. Opportunity for Position Progress
1. What are factors which specify competency
for computer network professional from 5.1 Factor of skill and operation
industry requirements? Figure 2, study found that job employ
2. What are factors that set computer demand in section of skill and operation has
network competency for undergraduate overall mean 3.93 and when consider all 4
curricula according to professional standard? skill, found that System Analyze, Installation,
3. What is and what should computer Problem Solving and Maintaining equipment is
network competency between currently in high level and the most requirement ( X =
applicant and applicant should be have? 3.99 ).
International Journal of the Computer, the Internet and Management Vol.20 No.2 (May-August, 2012) pp 44-50
46Arrom Eampraserth and Mekhabanchakij Kittima
Organization as CCITT, ITUTS, ISO, ITIL,
IAB, mean 3.86.
The means of the 3 rest items; Operator
should have cognitive the difference between
Infrastructure Topologies, as BusNet, Rinet,
Starnet, Operator should receive Professional
Certificate in Computer network, such as
Figure 2 Factor of Skill and Operation Client-Server, and the last Operator should
5.2 Factor of Behavior and Attitude receive certificate for ability in Network
System Management, such as NIC, Protocol,
Figure 3, study found that respondents NOS, are 3.68, 3.59 and 3.53 respectively.
opinion for qualification in Computer
Network Professional position toward
Industry Requirements in part of Behavior
and Attitude, are overall in high level, mean
4.18. Considering in each item indicated that
the item Have good human relations with
colleague and Ability to be a good team work
are highest level with 4.27 of mean, the
Understand IT System and have service mind
is also high, mean 4.25. And Ability to
people communicate, such as speaking and
writing is in very level, mean 4.07,
Understand IT System and have service mind
is lowest mean 4.05. Figure 4 Factor of Specific Certified
Professional
5.4 Factor of Opportunity for Position
Progress
Figure 5, study found that respondents
opinion on using technology preparedness
measured by satisfying level, the overall
mean score is 4.12. Consideration in each
item found that the mean score of Set up new
technology make working team have more
Figure 3 Factor of Behavior and knowledge and ability and satisfy is highest,
Attitude 4.40. The mean score of satisfaction on the
5.3Factor of Specific Certified Professional item, Set up new technology built up co-
operate in team working, is 4.35. Set up new
Figure 4, study found that respondents
technology will pass on knowledge
have opinion level toward qualification of
equipment, satisfy level mean 4.25. Item Set
Computer Network position, in section of
up new technology make easy maintain but
Professional Certificate, totally are in high
may have personal violate copyright and item
level, mean 3.74. While the examining result
Using new technology cause more working
in each item shown that the score on item
time freedom ( not limited by working hour
Operator should have cognitive in job and
and office) satisfy level mean 4.21. Item In
Infrastructure Limitation for example,
your opinion overall set up new technology
LAN,WAN, highest mean 4.05, the second is
produce team working satisfaction, satisfy
Operator should aware in actual and legal in
level mean 4.20. Item, You expect that your
Standard Protocol, such as TCP/IP, OSI, in
organization will bring and use new
principle of encapsulation, Standards
47Competency Gap Evaluation Model for Computer Networks Profession:
Bridging the Gap between Undergraduate Education and Industry Workforce Expectation
technology, Organization support new The information in table 3 and figure 6
technology learning and item, Using new there are 5 company groups, Industry Factory
technology about business information safety of small and medium enterprises (SMEs),
as Information Leakage, are same satisfy Service Business & Hospital, Government
level mean 4.19. New technology creates Organization & Military-industrial complex,
trouble work in organization, satisfy level Education of University, and bank and 4
mean 4.17. Organization explain and try to Competence Deficiency factors, Skill and
understand that new technology replace some Operation, Behavior and Attitude, Specific
staff, and item, You believe that new Certified Professional and Opportunity for
technology is not suitable to conservative Position Progress. After analyzed with
staff, satisfy level mean 4.15. New Competence Deficiency factors, It found that
technology (in item 1) cause more efficiency Skill and Operation is the most important for
organization, satisfy level mean 4.06. Factory of small and medium enterprises
Organization often received new technology (SMEs), Service Business & Hospital and
suggestion from salesman, satisfy level mean Group of Education of University. While
4.04. Set up new technology make good Government Organization & Military
communication in team working, satisfy Industrial Complex requirement on the factor
level mean 3.97. Operators in your section of Behavior and Attitude.
like to use new technology in job, satisfy
level mean 3.95. Using new technology
makes higher business production because of
co-operation working, satisfy level mean
3.94. New technology (in item 1) makes
organization has good control system, satisfy
level mean 3.80.
Figure 6 The graph present survey result of
Competence Deficiency Matrix of ICT with
5 company groups
Figure 5 Opportunity for Position Progress
VI. DISSCUSION
Table 3 The survey result of Competence
To explain the Gap Analysis of ICT
Deficiency Matrix of ICT with 5 company
professionals in Computer Network, there are
groups
2 models; Technical Model and Conceptual
Model. The technical Model will consist of
terminology in Ontology that present the gap
relation among Education Institution,
Industry Requirement and EUCIP
standardize. The researcher will have
presentation by visualization program but
now it is processing. By function of relation
are in below:
International Journal of the Computer, the Internet and Management Vol.20 No.2 (May-August, 2012) pp 44-50
48Arrom Eampraserth and Mekhabanchakij Kittima
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