rolex
VOT 74232
NON-TECHNICAL SKILLS FOR ENGINEERS IN THE
21ST CENTURY: A BASIS FOR DEVELOPING A GUIDELINE
ZUBAIDAH AWANG
HAFILAH ZAINAL ABIDIN
MD. RAZIB ARSHAD
HADINA HABIL
AHMAD SYUKRI YAHYA
FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
2006
NON-TECHNICAL SKILLS FOR ENGINEERS IN THE
21ST CENTURY: A BASIS FOR DEVELOPING A GUIDELINE
ZUBAIDAH AWANG
HAFILAH ZAINAL ABIDIN
MD. RAZIB ARSHAD
HADINA HABIL
AHMAD SYUKRI YAHYA
RESEARCH VOTE NO: 74232
FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
2006
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM
PAGE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
i
ABSTRACT
ii
ABSTRAK
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
iv
LIST OF TABLES
x
LIST OF FIGURES
xii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
xiii
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction
1
1.1 Background of the study
1
1.1.1 Human Capital: the role of institutions of higher learning preparing engineering graduates with employable skills
3
1.2 Statement of the problem
6
1.3 Objectives of the study
11
1.4 Research questions
12
1.5 Scope of study
12
1.6 Framework of study
13
v
1.7 Significance of the study
14
1.8 Definition of terms
15
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
16
2.1 Changing needs of the employers
16
2.2 Definitions of non-technical skills
19
2.3 The need for non-technical skills in engineering career
21
2.4 Institutions of higher learning: challenges in providing highly skilled graduates
2.5 Importance of specific non-technical skills
2.5.1 The importance of communication skills
22
24
24
2.5.2 The importance of creative thinking and problem solving skills
26
2.5.3 The importance of information management and computer application skills
27
2.5.4 The importance of leadership and organizational skills
28
2.5.5 The importance of group effectiveness and teamwork skills
NON-TECHNICAL SKILLS FOR ENGINEERS IN THE
21ST CENTURY: A BASIS FOR DEVELOPING A GUIDELINE
ZUBAIDAH AWANG
HAFILAH ZAINAL ABIDIN
MD. RAZIB ARSHAD
HADINA HABIL
AHMAD SYUKRI YAHYA
FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
2006
NON-TECHNICAL SKILLS FOR ENGINEERS IN THE
21ST CENTURY: A BASIS FOR DEVELOPING A GUIDELINE
ZUBAIDAH AWANG
HAFILAH ZAINAL ABIDIN
MD. RAZIB ARSHAD
HADINA HABIL
AHMAD SYUKRI YAHYA
RESEARCH VOTE NO: 74232
FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
2006
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM
PAGE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
i
ABSTRACT
ii
ABSTRAK
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
iv
LIST OF TABLES
x
LIST OF FIGURES
xii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
xiii
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction
1
1.1 Background of the study
1
1.1.1 Human Capital: the role of institutions of higher learning preparing engineering graduates with employable skills
3
1.2 Statement of the problem
6
1.3 Objectives of the study
11
1.4 Research questions
12
1.5 Scope of study
12
1.6 Framework of study
13
v
1.7 Significance of the study
14
1.8 Definition of terms
15
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
16
2.1 Changing needs of the employers
16
2.2 Definitions of non-technical skills
19
2.3 The need for non-technical skills in engineering career
21
2.4 Institutions of higher learning: challenges in providing highly skilled graduates
2.5 Importance of specific non-technical skills
2.5.1 The importance of communication skills
22
24
24
2.5.2 The importance of creative thinking and problem solving skills
26
2.5.3 The importance of information management and computer application skills
27
2.5.4 The importance of leadership and organizational skills
28
2.5.5 The importance of group effectiveness and teamwork skills