Addressing Today’s Talent Gap: An Inductive Investigation into Balancing the Demand and Supply of 21st Century Workforce Talent

Authors

  • Ryan Halley George Fox University
  • Tim Rahschulte George Fox University
  • Jeff VandenHoek George Fox University
  • Seth Sikkema George Fox University

Keywords:

Skills, Demand, Workforce,

Abstract

Institutions of higher education are under immense pressure to become more aware of market demands and the role they play in offering the supply-side for the demand. This article highlights the disconnect between skills organizations need/demand and the supply of those skills, talent, and knowledge from university graduates. Specifically, a deficiency in work ethic, passion, and drive (possibly termed “the right attitude”) was noted as a vital
gap. Additionally, and importantly, these personal attributes along with continuous learning, the ability to innovate, and communication skills emerged as key characteristics needed among the workforce today.

Author Biographies

Ryan Halley, George Fox University

Ryan Halley is an associate professor of finance and chair of the undergraduate business and economics department at George Fox University. He earned his doctorate in consumer economics and personal financial planning from Texas Tech University and a MBA from The Ohio State University and publishes in the areas of financial counseling and teaching effectiveness.

Tim Rahschulte, George Fox University

Tim Rahschulte is an associate professor of business at George Fox University and executive director of Program Management Academy. He is the co-author of Leading Global Project Teams, a contributing author in Distributed team collaboration in organizations, has authored dozens of academic articles, and has been an invited lecturer outside the U.S. in Oxford, Shanghai, Beijing, and Athens.

Jeff VandenHoek, George Fox University

Jeff VandenHoek is the director of business relations and adjunct professor for George Fox School of Business. His work involves directing an internship program, building business relationships with GFSB alumni, developing integrated, “real time” projects for undergraduate/graduate programs and building corporate business collaboration and partnership relationships.

Seth Sikkema, George Fox University

Seth Sikkema is an assistant professor of accounting at George Fox University. Seth specializes in financial
reporting, having previously worked as an accounting supervisor for two publicly traded companies and as an external auditor for Arthur Andersen. Seth earned an MBA from Boise State University and is currently pursuing a doctorate in accounting at Anderson University.

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Published

2012-12-05

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2012)

Section

ABR Journal Articles

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