Novi Marlena, W. Wahjoedi, Hari Wahyono, Naswan Suharsono, Renny Dwijayanti, Zain Fuadi Muhammad Roziqifath
Career preparedness as a multidimensional construct faces complex challenges amid the transformation of the global labour market, technological disruption, and the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This study aims to map trends and developments in the literature on work readiness during the period 2015–2025 through a science mapping approach. Data were obtained from the Scopus database using the keyword ‘Work Readiness,’ which yielded 154 selected articles after a rigorous screening process. The analysis was conducted using the Biblioshiny tool to evaluate publication productivity, collaboration networks, and mapping of main themes and concepts. The results showed an annual growth in publications of 32.36% with peak productivity in 2024. The United States, Australia, Indonesia, and China were the most productive countries in terms of research contributions. Keyword co-occurrence network analysis revealed three main thematic clusters: psychometric and questionnaire approaches, cross-sectional studies on critical competencies, and demographic factors and controlled research designs. Thematic mapping shows that the topics of work readiness and cross-sectional studies are included in the established basic themes, while pedagogical innovations such as work-integrated education and technological adaptation are included in the driving themes. Factor analysis confirms the existence of two conceptual axes that link employability to the context of higher education, vocational education, and the transition to the world of work, including post-pandemic challenges. The implications of this study provide an empirical basis for the development of responsive curricula, contextualised workforce agility measurement instruments, and strategic directions for collaboration between educational institutions and industry. Recommendations for future research include longitudinal exploration of job preparedness in specific sectors, integration of digital literacy and artificial intelligence in vocational education, and inclusive policy approaches to mitigate competency gaps. © 2026, Malque Publishing. All rights reserved.
Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia; Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
