Exploring Business Students' STEM Literacy for Work Preparedness

Abstract

This paper presents a proposed doctoral study exploring STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) literacy for business students' work preparedness. The overall research consists of two studies. Study 1 will develop a theoretical model relating business students' STEM literacy for work preparedness by adopting a grounded theory approach. Based on the model, a measurement scale, viz. Business Students' STEM Literacy Scale (BSSLS), will be developed. Study 1 will involve fresh business graduate workers and business students with work experience in STEM-related industries. Study 2, which aims to recruit around 500 participants in mainland China and Hong Kong, will validate the BSSLS and investigate the current situation of final-year business students' STEM literacy. The proposed research will contribute to generating new insights into researching STEM literacy in higher education and incorporating this literacy as a curricular component in business education.