From Education to Employment: Impact of International Business Graduates in Liberec region

Abstract

This paper examines selected aspects of the career trajectories of graduates from the Bachelor's degree specialization in International Business (IB) in the Liberec region, one of the border regions of Czechia. The region is characterized by below-average GDP per capita and a lower proportion of tertiary-educated individuals compared to the national average. Our analysis focuses on the period 2010–2024, during which IB graduates began entering the labor market.

In the first part of the study, we investigate whether the share of tertiary-educated individuals has a positive impact on selected macroeconomic indicators in the region. In the second part, drawing on data from an electronic questionnaire distributed among graduates, we analyze their integration into the regional labor market and assess the extent of potential education–occupation mismatch.

Based on correlation analysis, we find a strong relationship between the proportion of tertiary-educated individuals and key economic indicators in the Liberec region. These findings suggest a clear policy implication: regional authorities should prioritize attracting a highly qualified workforce to foster economic growth. The survey results support this recommendation, revealing that the largest share of graduates remain employed in the Liberec region, with nearly half working in roles directly related to international business.