Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
ISTANBUL UNIVERSITESI SOSYOLOJI DERGISI-ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY, 2023 (ESCI)
Given the changes in business life, "soft skills," which are increasingly on the agenda and considered necessary, are effective in the performance and success of business life, including in the recruitment and employment phase. From another aspect, no clear consensus exists on the concept of "soft skills" yet. The definition and classification of this concept are inconsistent. In addition, job markets expect university graduates to have skills such as effective communication, critical thinking, and ethical understanding. However, many studies revealed that universities are insufficient in providing these soft skills. This study aims to open the ambiguities around the "soft skills" concept to discussion and contribute to their elimination through a systematic literature review. Furthermore, the study aims to present a critical analysis of the acquisition level of these skills at universities and the factors affecting this level. In summary, this study provides insights into the ambiguous area surrounding the soft skills concept and contributes to clarifying this concept. The study emphasizes the role of universities in acquiring these skills and offers suggestions for ways to increase acquisitions.