Structural Capital and Graduate Employability in Public Universities in South-Western Uganda: A Knowledge Supply Chain Perspective

Abstract

Aim: This study examined the effect of structural capital on graduate employability in public universities in South-Western Uganda through a knowledge supply chain lens. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 377 graduates and 122 university staff from three public universities. Structural capital was measured using adapted scales capturing institutional systems, governance processes, quality assurance mechanisms, and information infrastructure. Graduate employability was operationalized using outcome-oriented indicators, including job acquisition and employment quality. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, correlation, and hierarchical regression. Results: Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between structural capital and graduate employability (r = 0.482, p < 0.01). Hierarchical regression showed that structural capital explained an additional 22.9% of the variance in graduate employability after controlling for demographic variables (β = 0.482, p < 0.001), with the full model accounting for 24.4% of total variance. This indicates that while the knowledge supply chain is functioning, structural capital, its core production infrastructure, appears to be a relative bottleneck, explaining why upstream inputs are not being fully transformed into downstream graduate outcomes. Conclusion: The study concludes that structural capital is a significant institutional determinant of graduate employability, reinforcing the view that employability is embedded in organizational systems rather than solely individual attributes. Recommendation: The study recommends strengthening institutional systems, curriculum alignment, and policy frameworks to enhance employability outcomes.