Abstract: Although Higher Education in India has experienced exponential growth in terms of numbers, the growth has not translated in same proportion in terms of equipping students with relevant market skills. This study identifies the skill gaps prevalent in commerce graduates and explores the reasons behind their low employability. The study focuses on the commerce graduates from the University of Calicut, the largest affiliating university in the state of Kerala, which serves around 250,000 students across 394 colleges. The primary data for this study was collected from 360 respondents, using a well-structured questionnaire. A multi-method approach has been employed to analyze the data, including Chi-Square Test of Independence, One-Way ANOVA, Garrett Ranking Technique, and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Moreover, a Path Analysis with mediation and Multiple Regression has been employed to understand the determinants of graduate employability. The findings of the findings reveals significant association between college type and employability, add-on course and employability, and skill requirements for employability. Three latent skill dimensions, namely, Applied Skills, Conceptual Skills, and Entrepreneurial Skills, have been identified. The results of the Path Analysis reveal that the institutional type has the most dominant indirect effect on graduate employment through employability skills (β = .839). The Garrett Ranking Technique reveals that communication deficiency, digital illiteracy, and lack of practical exposure to industry are the top three reasons for unemployment of commerce graduates. The findings have crucial implications for curriculum designers, policymakers, and skill development managers in commerce education, particularly in the Malabar region.
Keywords: Skill Gap, Employability Mismatch, Commerce Graduates, Graduate Unemployment.
Title: SKILL GAP AND EMPLOYABILITY MISMATCH AMONG COMMERCE GRADUATES: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY
Author: Shalini K V, Dr. S. Latha
International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations
ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)
Vol. 14, Issue 1, April 2026 - September 2026
Page No: 303-312
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 05-May-2026
