9

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Rechelle Lucañas

This chapter presents the related literature and studies after the thorough and in-depth

search done by the researchers. This will also present the synthesis of the art, theoretical and

conceptual framework to fully understand the research to be done and lastly the definition of

terms for better comprehension of the study.

Related Literature

Tracer study is an approach which widely being used in most organization especially in

the educational institutions to track and to keep record of their students once they have

graduated from the institution. Through tracer study, an institution able to evaluate the quality of

education given to their graduates by knowing the graduates placements and positions in the

society which later can be used as a benchmark in producing more qualified and competitive

graduates. There are books that we can use as a tool for studying different aspects of education

and for studying the present topic which is “A Tracer Study on The Employment Status of AB

Journalism Graduates Batches 2009-2012.

In the book Employment and Career Opportunities after Graduation by Arcelo and

Sanyal, the existence of a huge number of educated unemployed can lead to a certain amount

of political instability in a country, for they being among the educated class and knowledgeable

about the privileges society can offer, feel doubly deprived. In this matter, the analysis of the

unemployment situation in the Philippines shown that the young graduates is still in the job-

hunting stage.1This book is concerned to the graduates of AB Journalism that will be hunting
 10

jobs after they graduated. Also, if the trainings and learning’s in the journalism program will be

used on the jobs suited for them.

The book The Philippine Labor Code, An employer has a right to select his employees

and to decide when to engage them. He has a right under the law to full freedom in employing

any person free to accept employment from him, and this, except as restricted by valid statute

or valid contract, at a wage and under conditions agreeable to them.2This author want to give

insights about the rights between the employee and employer with regards to the employment

that should be given to any person to be employed. This will distinguish the importance of being

employed and the choice in choosing a job that are desired to apply in.

The Philippines may go beyond the standing of employment in the country, rights and

importance should be understood. As specified in the book of Labor Economics by Cristobal M.

Pagoso, it state that in view of low literacy rates in rising unemployment in developing countries

it has become imperative that greater educational opportunities should be provided for the great

proportion of adult population as well as the large number of youth outside the formal school

system to help them acquire further knowledge and skill thereby improve their livelihood and

strengthen the country.3As a student of AB Journalism, one thing we must be considered is the

notion that there’s no age matter when it comes to job offerings because in the field of working,

to be fair to any person who are capable of jobs is a factor to be employed.

From the book Contemporary Social Problems and Issues, stated that the educational

levels and literacy rates of workers in the Philippines are among the highest in Asia, but

technical, manual and managerial are poorly developed and in short supply.There is an over-

abundance of college graduates that most especially in Manila area were in the field of

education, law and other professionals exceed in demand to find employment appropriate to his

educational training.4The authors wants to show on how did the graduates of journalism willused
 11

their skills and trainings to gained and developed the technical, manual and managerial skills

that Filipino workers are lack of. This is the realization that even college graduates may find it

difficult to be employed if they are not well-equipped of trainings and programs that their college

had.

In the book the Philippine Labor Code by CesAzucena, whenever the public interest

requires, the Secretary of Labor may direct all persons or entities within the coverage of this

Title to submit a report on the status of employment, including job vacancies, details of job

requisitions, separation from job wages, other terms and conditions, and other employment

data.5 This will make job seekers to be aware of job vacancies as well as the job suitable for

them. This will also give awareness to the public to know the standing of the employment in our

country.

Employment is the capacity of an individual to showcase his talent and to use the

trainings gathered in course program, Thomas Powers on his book “Educating for Careers”

stated the notion that marketable skills provided today’s crop of worker’s employment

opportunities.6 The statement of Powers is relevant to the present study because he pointed out

that education is very important in having the marketability and general skills needed in finding

an appropriate job. In this study, it helps to develop such skills among the college graduates for

them to find or to get an appropriate job.

Robert W. McIntosh on his book“Employee Management Standards” aimed to determine

that the employee’s performance on the job and attitude about the job would depend on the

degree to which the manager fulfills the needs.7The author associated that to the employees

that will look at the performance and attitude towards the job that will be strongly affected by the

degree on where the superior may reach the fulfillment on the job desires.
 12

The book, Unemployment and the Dual Labor Market stressed that the unemployment is

the outgrowth of a process of job search where workers have limited information about the labor

market. On the other hand, people who first begin looking for jobs lack basic information will

help the graduates to disseminate the rejection of jobs to higher expectations. 8This book mainly

wants to view that job searching is a wide-process action where in job-seekers should gain

more knowledge or information that will reaches their satisfaction on what and where to find jobs

that will bring out their profession.

McIntosh, in his book Practicing Better Human Relations aimed to determine that the

quality of a person’s work life should improve as more and more needed values are satisfy by

that individuals job and career progression.9This will assess that the employee must improve the

quality of work life in determining the aspects of work situation for AB Journalism graduates.

Also, this will relate to how the graduates progress their career as graduates of the AB

Journalism program.

Philippine society nowadays has encountered so many problems in terms of labor or

employment. As it is stated in the book, Labor- only contracting in a “cabo” economy that some

economist would justify labor- only contracting as our only weapon to remain

competitive.10Therefore, some of the workers are seeking for better employment opportunities

abroad for a high salary. In the case of the graduates nowadays, their first problem is seeking

job after graduation. Knowingly that it is very hard to find a job suitably to their graduated course

right away after graduation that may cause to trigger them to work not aligned to the profession

they graduate for their usual reason is the salary that they can get right away. Some go abroad

to find their destiny or for some reason that they will get a high salary than to continue their

profession as a Journalist if there is no salary increase.

 13

RELATED STUDIES

Campus, Nuyda and Icaranom,“Employment Status of the English Graduates 2006-

2008”. This study aimed to present a feedback mechanism for the department and college to

come up with a more productive, competitive and effective program for the students. 11This study

presents the possible reasons on why they are graduates who’s unemployed and employed.

The authors want to show the programs used in providing AB Journalism graduates adequate

skills to help them for professional careers, but the program must be open to changes that

would effectively lead graduates for a better employment.

Jarito Verona, “A Tracer Study of the Employment Status of PUPQC AY 2004-2005”,

The study determine the general profile and the present employment status of the respondents

which are the graduates of Polytechnic University of the Philippines academic year 2004-2005.

This research tackles about the tracer study that uses as a method in which is primarily

intended to locate graduates of academic institution, past recipient of scholarship grants, former

participants and among other situation in order to collect data and update information about this

type of people. This kind of study is also tool to generate or influence decision making and

planning of a certain institution about the development of the curriculum. It is likewise regulating

document efficiency and support on the demographic profile of a certain institution that can be

measure through the quality of graduates.

The research Tracer Study of the Graduates of Certificate in Teaching Physical

Education (CPE) from 1995 to 2005 answered the profile of the CPE graduates in terms of job

position and the employment in terms of job encountered in the CPE. Majority of the CPE

graduates are males. Based from the findings of the study, most of the CPE graduates are in

the permanent status of employment. They are employ in the national government with the

monthly salary of 10,000 Php to 15,000 Php a month. The topmost encountered by the CPE
 14

graduates in that they are not given equal opportunities like those of the education graduates. 13

This study may connect to the present study in terms of the employment standing or status of

the graduates. It also focuses on the job position that is also one important factor in employing a

job because as graduate of a particular course, the job should go along with the profession that

they graduated.

Bea, Daep, Fungo, Lorilla, Miraflor Jr., Muni and Ordoñez, “Employer’s Review on AB

English Graduates of Bicol University College of Arts and Letters SY 2006-2009”, the study

shows that Newly established private companies in Albay hire most of the AB English

graduates, employers of AB English graduates find their job performance and attitude to be very

satisfactory, it is more appropriate to used the communication skills and skills that should be

imposed is depends on the line of work you engage in.14In this study, the researchers are

interested to know if the AB Journalism graduates will find their job performance, personally

development, professionalism, office management and time management will be obtained as

well.

A Job market offers job trainings to equip employers to develop work environment.

Belen, “Employment Prospects for AB English Graduates of 2009”- aimed to determine the job

opportunities available for AB English Graduates of 2009, the research aims to know the

qualifications require from the AB English graduates that would give them the edge in the job

market in terms of academic skills and special skills. It is also about to assess the training needs

required by the job market that awaits the AB English graduates. 15The findings of the authors

will reflect the idea that to the generally skills be functional in the job great demands, special

skills are required to enhance specific skills needed in work. So, graduates will enhance

competitiveness and to develop one’s potential to be suitable for a particular job.

 15

Madriaga and Lucila, “Job Opportunities for Broadcasting Students”, discusses that Job

expectations of the 2nd and 3rd year AB Broadcasting students were almost inclined in the media

industry and practice their field of expertise.16This will give an overview to the kind of job that will

fit to AB Journalism graduates. Also, to analyze if there are qualified to the appropriate jobs that

they will be employed.

Raquesa D. Macaraub, “Employment Motivation of Selected Media Practitioners in

Legazpi City” the study showed that respondents were motivated to work due to good

relationships with their officemates. Media practitioners are the lowest paid workers and are

exploited; some are not receiving regular salary only allowance or talent fee; and are required to

solicit advertisement for their salary.17

As perceived in the study, some of the respondents claimed that they are satisfied with

the work they are motivated with their officemates. Also, the monthly income they receive and th

kind of workplace reaches their satisfaction. It is pertinent to the present study since graduates

will experience the types of satisfactory on motivation at work and providing good quality of

relationship between co-workers.

Alcovendas and Espares, “ A Tracer Study of AB English Honor Graduates from

1987-2009” the study discusses that AB English honor graduates are gainfully employed have

sufficient annual income, have a tendency of staying long in the company, have moderate

satisfaction in their present job, indicating a lack of sense of fulfillment in their capabilities, and a

feeling of insufficiency in the returns they get for their hard work.18 The statement of Alcovendas

and Espares is relevant to the present study because employability is not limited only to those

who are being well-train and it is always open to all even to those handicapped.

The researchers find out that when it comes to level of job satisfaction, honor graduates

are found to be satisfied with their current job. With these, the graduates will improve learning
 16

and communication through experiences. Furthermore, graduate students expose to real, actual

and practical situations such as seminars, workshops and conferences are strategies that may

better prepare them for future employment.

Employers believed that applicants who have undergone job training are assumed to be

more knowledgeable and production. According to Dominguez and Romero, “Employment

Status of AB English Graduates of Bicol University” AB English graduates are highly employable

on both private and government sectors depending on the student’s interest. Also, they are

competent enough in connection to the job for there are respondents who had a problem with

their co-workers in terms of their differences in terms of principles and ideas which are expected

in an agency.19

In that study, the researchers are interested on the trainings acquired in AB Journalism

program that they can easily adapt to the society specifically in their present job. The proposed

study also aimed established to be well equipped, improvement of interests, competency and

developing working ability.

Nelita M. Lalican, “Tracer Survey of Agriculture Graduates” where the College of

Agriculture of University of the Philippines Los Bańos traced its graduates, their aim also is to

assess its curriculum and discuss the relevance of its productivity with the present condition. In

the findings of the study found out that, employers prefer specialists rather than generalists and

the employers find the graduates effective, efficient and cooperative. They also find the

graduates knowledgeable, dependable and resourceful however, many employers describe

UPLB graduates as academically inclined, having a know it-all attitude although with assertive

personality.20

Theoretical Framework
 17

The researchers adapted the general system‘s theory by Edward Deming (J.

Horine,1993) to support this study. The theory generally states that the success in any system

requires more than best efforts and hard work from the administrators. The most serious

observation is that majority of problems to Deming; roughly, 95% of problems belong to the

system and the responsibility of the management while the workers are just trying to do the best

job that they can deliver within the constraints of the system.21

The theory explains that a system is a series of functions or activities sub process

(stages-hereafter components) within an organization that work together for its aim. People,

materials, methods and equipments are the components that form a network in support of

common characteristics: purpose, input, process and output (J. Horine, 1993)22

Purpose determines the thrust and direction of a system input, on the other hand, is

characterized as the primary element that motivates an action of a system. Meanwhile,

processes are the sequences of work stages that transform inputs to outputs and output is what

the system produces.

 18

Below is an illustration of Theoretical Framework

Input Process Output

Methods
Materials
Strategies Feedback/
Seminars
People evaluation

Equipments Process
 19

Conceptual Framework

The figure 2 shows the conceptual framework of the study. Using the illustration of the

Theoretical Framework that can be asserted that the student get lots of experiences during stay

in school. Students cultivate their selves to become productive citizens of their community after

graduation.

Following this line of thought, if Bicol University succeeds in properly educating the youth

who are being enrolled in the different programs especially in the AB Journalism program it

serves as an output they will be able to secure a high quality of education for these students,

thus providing better chances for them to land a high paying job.

Graduates have experienced a lot of things that develop his/her skills to become more

productive like being enrolled in an internship program proposed by the department, showing off

their talents and skills in the extracurricular activities inside and outside the premise of the

school. By that, it serves as a process for their personality development, for them to have a

career that they wanted to become.

Good performance of the graduates in their current job has become their self-evaluation

for what have learned over all during their stay in the school premises.
 20

Below is an illustration of the Conceptual Framework.

Input Process Output

OJT
Trainings

Journalism Seminars JOBS

Graduates
Personality Exta curricular
Development activities

Figure 1.The Paradigm of the Study

 21

Synthesis of the Art

Researchers on Related Literature presents that tracing the performance and shows that

education is an investment made by students in order for them to have a stable job after

graduation upon various researchers, a gap is discern that no study embarked upon the same

research that the study is all about. Based from the related materials found no study has found

out to study on the same topic except for the books that cater to its parts, many have studied

about the employment status, job satisfaction and the factors affecting job performances.

Gap-bridged by the Study

The researchers review of Related Literature and Studies has been made, it was

observed that the current studies were focused on the tracer studies of their respective colleges

including then tracer studies of the AB Journalism Graduates of the past years in a way of

having the general profile of these graduates and also for the school research purposes as well.

It is for the reason that it is the way of bridging the perceived thing in line with the chosen course

or field that is suited for them and to be able to enhance the knowledge and skills that can be

used as a weapon in searching a right job.

The researchers also will find out if the graduates of the batch 2009-2012 are employed

in an appropriate job for their graduated professions and careers. We will also find out if these

graduates of AB Journalism have the job in connection to media preferences and able to cater it

by profession. By the use of the questionnaire and interviews we are going to use, this will make

a gap-bridge to the present study.

 22

Definition of Terms

For better understanding of the study, the researchers gave several terms that were

defined conceptually and operationally as used in the study.

AB Journalism Graduates- In the study, it refers to the Bicol university College o Arts

and Letters batches 2009-2012 who satisfactory completed the requirements of the four-year

course, and they were used as the subject of the study.

Job- This is a work of a definite extent of a character specially one done in the course of

one’s profession or occupation.23 In the study job refers to the work that the AB Journalism

graduates will have as soon as they graduated in the university.

Employment Profile- it considers personal qualities as important as academic

background, professional skills and previous employment experiences.24 In this study, it refers

to the profile of the graduates of the AB Journalism to know if they were currently employed or

for the researchers to know if they current employment status.

Demographic Profile- In this study, it refers to the graduates personal profile in terms of

age, gender, civil status, highest educational attainment.

Employed- one who currently working at a job including the part time workers. 25 The

respondents who found a job related to their course or has a job.

Underemployed- It refers to those who have worked not enough to do or not being used

to have capacity in a job.26 In this study, it refers to the respondents who were hired not related

to their fields of specialization.

 23

Unemployed- Refers to those who are not currently working or the people who failed to

look for a job, the graduates who were not able to find a job or those who decided not to work.27

Employment Status- Refers to the work upon which is or may be engage; occupation

ofr trade chose by the graduates to work in the study, it refers to the state of the respondents

when it comes to the employment whether they are employed, underemployed or unemployed.

AB Journalism- It is a course or degree which studies about writing news and other

forms of mass media. In this study, it refers to the degree that the Bicol University offers to the

students, in which people needs to know that the course has a multi numbers of different job

that graduates could acquire after graduation.

Personality Development- it means enhancing and grooming, ones outer and inner self

to bring about the positive change to one’s life. In this study, it refers to the way on how the AB

Journalism graduates create a good impression about themselves on others which wll help the

in looking for a job.

Evaluation- a manner of judging or determining the significance or worth or quality of

something to access.28 In the study, it refers to the act of accessing the performance of the

respondents in terms with their job.

 24

NOTES

1
Adriano A. Arcelo and Bikas C. Sanyal, Employment and Career Opportunities after
Graduation, Unesco 1987, p.123
2
CesAzucena, The Philippine Labor Code (with comments and cases),Kalayaan Press
Marketing Ent., Inc. 1991. Chapter I under Basic Policy, P. 10

3
Cristobal M. Pagoso, Labor economics, p. 82
4
Custodiosa A. Sanches and Fe B. Agpao, Contemporary Social Problems and Issues Third
edition 1997, New Galaxy Lithographic Arts and Printing Press, p.196
5
Ces Azucena, The Philippine Labor Code (with comments and cases),Kalayaan Press
Marketing Ent., Inc., 1991, Chapter II, Article 33. p. 11

6
Thomas Powers, Educating for Careers,
7
Robert W. McIntosh, Employee Management Standards (The L.J. Minor Food Sevice
Standards Series) Fourth Edition; Robert W. McIntosh Restaurant and Institutional Management
Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan,1917.
8
Peter B. Doeringer and Michael J. Piore, Unemployment and the Dual Labor Market, Richard
D. Irwin Inc., 1980.
9
Robert W. McIntosh, Employee Management Standards (The L.J. Minor Food Sevice
Standards Series) Fourth Edition; Robert W. McIntosh Restaurant and Institutional Management
Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan, 1917.

Rhodora G. Kapunan and Rod P. Kapunan, Labor-Only Contracting in a “Cabo” Economy,

10

C&E Publishing Inc. 2006.

11
Niña Jane N. Campus, Myra Glor B. Nuyda and Christina Irish V. Icaranom, Employment
Status of the English Graduates 2006-2008, BU Legazpi City, March 2011.

12
http://www.scribd.com/doc/50720521/A-Tracer-Study-of-the-Employment-Status-of-PUPQC-
AY-2004-2005

13
http://rc.aau.org/files/anyanwu.pdf

14
Elaine B. Bea, Stephanie Crisanda V. Daep, Jirvanni C. Fungo, Alexa Mae M. Lorilla, Jesus C.
Miraflor Jr., Christine G. Muni an Mona Liza N. Ordoñez, Employer’s Review on AB English
Graduates of Bicol University College of Arts and Letters SY 2006-2009, BU Legazpi City,
March 2012.
 25

15
Jam Charmaine M. Belen, PreciosaMariss C. Quiamno and Mary June M. Sabucor,
Employment Prospects for AB English Graduates of 2009, BU Legazpi City, MARCH 2010.

16
Ruth M. Madriaga and Lenjoy N. Lucila, Job Opportunities for Broadcasting Students, BU
Legazpi City, March 2012.

17
Raquesa D. Macaraub, Employment Motivation of Selected Media Practitioners in Legazpi
City, buLegazpi City, March 2012.
18
Rizelle C. Alcovendas and Ma. Christine Joy B. Espares, A Tracer Study of AB English Honor
Graduates from 1987-2009, BU Legazppi City, March 2013
19
Aldrin Jay A. Dominguez and Jayson A. Romero, Employment Status of AB English
Graduates of Bicol University, BU Legazpi City, March 2009.
20
http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ncs/10thNCS/papers/invited%20papers/ips-06/ips06-01.pdf
21
Gillies, Dee Ann (1982).Nursing management a systems approach. Philadelphia: W. B.
Saunders Company, 56-74.
22
Ibid.
23
Jonathan L. Goldman, The New Philipine Comprehensive Dictionary, 2005
24
William Collins, Sons, Collins English Dictionary, http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/te,

2009
25
The Merriam Webster Dictionary, (Merriam Webster Incorporated Springfield Massachussets,

2004), Page 236

26
The Merriam Webster Dictionary, (Merriam Webster Incorporated Springfield Massachussets,

2004), Page 781

27
The Merriam Webster Dictionary, (Merriam Webster Incorporated Springfield Massachussets,

2004), Page 783