International Journal of Commerce and Management Studies (IJCAMS)

Peer Reviewed, Indexed Journal, ISSN 2456-3684

Vol.6, No.4, 2021, www.ijcams.com

Commerce Education as Skills Based Education

Dr. S.B. Akash
Professor and Director,
School of Business and Economics RCU, Belagavi, Karnataka

Introduction people of society. Globalization is more

Commerce education is an independent promising environment for commerce product
stream of education in India like Arts and as result of this the commerce product have
Science and the very basic purpose of huge demand in different business activities, in
commerce education is to develop the view of this , the commerce student have bright
manpower with necessary business and job opportunities probably it is a reasons for
technical skills in order to assists the business increasing the demand of commerce education
communities to carry out the business functions at all level such as PUC level, Degree level , PG
like production, marketing, human resources level and at Ph.D., level. Though, the
management, finance and research and commerce education
development. However, it was established in not utilize fully opportunities of globalization
the year 1886 in Madras, later it was established because of the commerce education have many
in the year 1896 in Calicut and at university lacuna such as lack of practical components in
level the commerce education was first started course curriculum, lack of interaction between
by Sydenham College in Mumbai in the year university and industry , lack of funds for rural
2013. Thereafter the rapid growth of commerce and urban colleges, lack of required skills
education was taken place in the period 1920- among young teaching faculty, lack of
40. During this period many institutions were infrastructure among rural commerce collages,
emerged viz., Indian Institutes of Bankers in the lack of required skills among some commerce
year 1926, Institutes of Chartered accounts of fraternity, lack of unity among commerce
India were established in the year 1934, community to raise the common issues before
Institutes of Works and Cost Accounts of India concerned authorities and lack of government
was established in 1934 and in the year 1955 the support to higher education etc.
federation of Insurance Institute were
Objectives of the study
established. Nevertheless, the commerce
The main objectives of the study is to know
education gained more importance after
the overall status of commerce education, study
globalization since the globalization made the
the role of practical components in improving
whole world is a small place for exchange of
the strength of commerce education and to
things like movement of capital, movement of
provide an appropriate suggestion’s for
people, movement of technology movement of
strengthen the commerce education.
money and the movement of things which are
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Hypothesis of the study

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very essential to attain the requirements of

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 International Journal of Commerce and Management Studies (IJCAMS)
Peer Reviewed, Indexed Journal, ISSN 2456-3684
Vol.6, No.4, 2021, www.ijcams.com
The status of commerce education is not
satisfactory in terms of skilled based education, Analysis and Interpretation
practical components , University and industry Here an attempt is made to study the status of
action , infrastructure, imparting requisite skills Commerce education in India, for this the
and other supporting aspects. primary and secondary data has been gathered
Sources of Data and to analyze the data the study used statistical
The present study based on both primary and tools like tabular method, percentage and chi-
secondary data, the primary data collected from square.
stakeholders of commerce like students,
Commerce Education and Skills
teachers and chartered accountant. The
Development
secondary data collected from the official
records of higher education institution. Commerce education gaining importance over
Sample size other streams of education over a period of time
The size of the sample respondents is very large because of it is ahead as far as providing skills
,it is very difficult to select and approach all the are concern. However, the commerce education
respondent’s since it is not practically possible provides different skills like accounting skills,
, hence, the study adopted convenient sampling management skills, administration skills,
method and selected 325 respondents marketing skills, human resources management
skills, customer management skills, money
management
Table 1. Commerce Education Impart Skilled Based Education
Stakeholders Opinion Total
Strongly Agree Not agree
Agree
Students 50(33.3) 60(40.0) 40(26.7) 150(46.1)
Teachers 30 (37.5) 42(52.5) 08(10.0) 80(24.6)
Chartered Accountant 10 (25.0) 20(50.0) 10(25.0) 40(12.4)
others 17(30.9) 28(50.9) 10 (18.2) 55(16.9)
Total 107( 32.9 ) 150(46.2) 68(20.9 ) 325(100)
Sources: Field survey
Note: Figures in parenthesis indicates percentage to columns totals

skills, knowledge about economic affairs, commerce, insurance and also educate about
knowledge about business models, computer other latest issues relating to stock market and
skills and computer accounting, business business affairs. Table 1 reveals that commerce
statistics, skills relating to business education imparts skilled based education.
mathematics etc. The course also to make the Among 150 students respondents 40
students more familiar with entrepreneurial respondents constituting 26.7% opined that
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activities, business laws, consumers related commerce education not importing skilled
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laws, taxation, financial affairs, banking, e- based education, nearly 34% of respondents

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 International Journal of Commerce and Management Studies (IJCAMS)
Peer Reviewed, Indexed Journal, ISSN 2456-3684
Vol.6, No.4, 2021, www.ijcams.com
stated that commerce education providing University and industry interface refers it is a
skilled based education and they strongly process through which the University able to
agreed and 60 respondents amounting 40% interact with industry and it helps the
opined that commerce education providing University to understand what are the
skilled based education and they just agreed. requirements of industry to perform the basic
Thus, it is obvious that most of the students’ functions of business organization like
respondents having their opinions about production, marketing, human resources,
commerce education is that, which provide finance and research and development. Further
skilled based education and nearly 27% of the it guiding the University what types of
respondents opined that commerce education education actually required to people of society
failed to skilled based education. and also what types of skills actually needed to
University and Industry Interface them to become employable and what types of
knowledge students actually require to survival
in organization

Table 2. University and Industry Interface

Stakeholders Opinion Total
Adequate Inadequate
Students 60 (40.0) 90(60.0) 150(46.1)
Teachers 40(50.0) 40(50.0) 80(24.6)
Chartered Accountant 15(37.5) 25(62.5) 40(12.4)
others 21(38.2) 34(61.8) 55(16.9)
Total 136(41.8) 189(58.2) 325(100)
Sources: Field survey
Note: Figures in parenthesis indicates percentage to columns totals

Since the education meant for develop the skills commerce fraternity failing to having adequate
and ability of man power in particular field that dialogs between university and industry,
may help the young minds to attain their Nearly 63% of chartered accountant
aspirations. However, proper University and respondents opined that there is lack of
industry interface happened frequently which University and industry interface as far as
guiding the University while designing the designing commerce course syllabi is concern
academic policies, it turned to develop the and nearly 39% of other respondents stated that
required skills among young minds as a result there is an adequate university and industry
of this the young mind become more interface.
employable. Table 2 provide information about
Practical Components in Commerce
university and industry interface. About 60% of
Education
students respondents said that there is no
adequate university and industry interface, 40% The education for knowledge and skills, the
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of sample teachers respondents opined that still knowledge and skills shall be imparted by any

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 International Journal of Commerce and Management Studies (IJCAMS)
Peer Reviewed, Indexed Journal, ISSN 2456-3684
Vol.6, No.4, 2021, www.ijcams.com
stream of education based on practical updated syllabi but most of the things are not
components of course curriculum. The match with real practices of business
commerce education has very relevant and organizations, it

Table 3. Opinions towards Practical Components in Commerce Education

Stakeholders Opinion Total
Adequate Inadequate
Students 95(63.3) 55(36.7) 150(46.1)
Teachers 47(58.7) 33(41.3) 80(24.6)
Chartered Accountant 22(55.0) 18(45.0) 40(12.4)
others 25(45.4) 30(54.6) 55(16.9)
Total 189(58.1) 136(41.9) 325(100)
Sources: Field survey
Note: Figures in parenthesis indicates percentage to columns totals

means what practices organizations having as of sample other respondents opined that there is
far as accounting, auditing, management style, an adequate practical component in commerce
strategy formulations and business decision’s education. Thus, it is obvious that from the
making by organization like small organization, above about 42% of sample respondents felt
government organizations big and MNCs etc., that still commerce education not having
that are not match with course curriculum adequate practical components because of
because course have been much focusing on many reasons. It is very clear that more than
theoretical aspects. Table 3 gives information 58% of sample respondents opined that there is
about practical components in commerce inadequate university and industry interface.
education. Among students’ respondents nearly
Infrastructure Problems
37% opined that still commerce education not
having adequate practical components, about Infrastructure is an important component for
59% teachers’ respondents said that commerce best education, infrastructure like class rooms,
education having adequate practical play grounds, advanced teaching aids, labs,
components, 45% of chartered accountant study rooms and other supporting things that
argued that there is a lacking adequate practical are decide the quality and effectiveness of
component in commerce education and 58.1% education

Table 4. Infrastructure Problem Facing By Commerce Colleges

Stakeholders Opinion Total
Yes No
Students 65(43.3) 85(56.7) 150(46.1)
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Teachers 44(55.0) 36(45.0) 80(24.6)

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Chartered Accountant 18(45.0) 22(55.0) 40(12.4)

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 International Journal of Commerce and Management Studies (IJCAMS)
Peer Reviewed, Indexed Journal, ISSN 2456-3684
Vol.6, No.4, 2021, www.ijcams.com
others 23(41.8) 32(58.2) 55(16.9)
Total 150(46.1) 175(53.9) 325(100)
Sources: Field survey
Note: Figures in parenthesis indicates percentage to columns totals

system. Since infrastructure made the of chartered accountant respondents opined that
environment which suitable for best teaching most of the colleges facing infrastructure
and learnable environment. In recent days most problems and nearly 59% of the other
of the Universities and colleges emerged respondents opined that the colleges facing
without having required infrastructure. These infrastructure problems.
types of things really obstructing to provide
Finance Problems
quality and employable education to needy.
Finance is a source through which trading
Table 4 gives information about infrastructure
and nontrading organizations carry their
problems facing by commerce colleges. Nearly
activities properly and effectively. Since the
57% students’ respondents opined that the
nontrading organization like colleges have to
colleges facing infrastructure problems, about
rendered different services to their
55% of teachers’ respondents stated that the
stakeholders to render
colleges have no infrastructure problems, 55%
Table 5. Finance Problem Facing by Commerce Collages
Stakeholders Opinion Total
Yes No
Teachers 105 (70.0) 45(30.0) 150(46.1)
Management 60(75.0) 20(25.0) 80(24.6)
Chartered Accountant 18(45.0) 22(55.0) 40(12.4)
others 30(54.5) 25(45.5) 55(16.9)
Total 213(65.5) 112(34.5) 325(100)
Sources: Field survey
Note: Figures in parenthesis indicates percentage to columns totals

different services by colleges they required rural and semirural colleges facing finance
adequate finance. In fact, finance is like blood problems and 45% of other respondents opined
of organization, how does without blood human that the commerce colleges are facing finance
beings not alive, the organization also not active problems. Thus, it is obvious that nearly 35% of
without finance. Table 5 provide information commerce colleges are facing finance
about finance problems facing by colleges. problems.
Among teachers respondents nearly 30%
opined that commerce colleges are facing Students Supporting Activities
finance problems, nearly 25% of the Students are the main stakeholder’s of the
management respondents stated that the college, the college require to ensures different
colleges are facing finance problems, 55% of supporting things like scholarship cell, student
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chartered accountant opined that still many

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 International Journal of Commerce and Management Studies (IJCAMS)
Peer Reviewed, Indexed Journal, ISSN 2456-3684
Vol.6, No.4, 2021, www.ijcams.com
mentoring activities, career development
activities, remedial coaching, anti-ragging cell
Table 6. Opinion towards Students Supporting Aspects
Stakeholders Opinion Total
Adequate Inadequate
Students 85(56.7) 65(43.3) 150(65.2)
Teachers 55(68.7) 25(32.3) 80(44.8)
Total 140(60.8) 90(39.2) 230(100)
Sources: Field survey
Note: 1) Figures in parenthesis indicates percentage to columns totals
2) Respondents less than 325 because of only students and teachers were taken

Governance Problems
Good governance is very important and vital for any organizations viz., trading or nontrading. Since
the non-trading organization have to perform different activities to attain the requirements of
stakeholders like students, teachers and society at large. In order to attain the requirements of
stakeholders the organization require to adopt and practice sound governance. However, an appropriate
governance practices in organization which ensures to attain the main
Table 7. Governance Status in Commerce Colleges
Stakeholders Opinion Total
Adequate Inadequate
Students 80(53.3) 70(46.7) 150(46.1)
Teachers 50(62.5) 30(47.5) 80(24.6)
Management 25(62.5) 15(37.5) 40(12.4)
others 30(54.6) 25(45.4) 55(16.9)
Total 175(56.9) 140(43.1) 325(100)
Sources: Field survey
Note: Figures in parenthesis indicates percentage to columns totals

purpose of organization, guaranteed an 63% of sample respondents opined that there is

appropriate decision relating to different an adequate governance practices, management
activities of college, confirms transparency in authority of college stated that 62.5% of sample
all affairs of education institution, and deliver respondents stated that they having an adequate
accountability as far as educational activities of governance practice in colleges and 45.4% of
college is concern. Table 7 provide information other sample respondent’s opined that the
about governance status in commerce colleges. colleges not have adequate governance
Nearly 53.3% of sample student respondents practices.
opined that there is an adequate governance Hypothesis testing
practices in colleges and remaining 46.7% of Here an attempt is made to test the null
the student respondent’s opined that the hypothesis and for this the chi-square value
colleges not have adequate governance were calculated.
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practices. In case of teacher respondents nearly

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Table 8 Chi-square Value (at 5% level of significance)

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 International Journal of Commerce and Management Studies (IJCAMS)
Peer Reviewed, Indexed Journal, ISSN 2456-3684
Vol.6, No.4, 2021, www.ijcams.com
Factors(Hypothesis) Chi-square X2 DF
value Value
Not Impart Skilled Education 11.9 11.87 6
No University and Industry Interface 2.89 11.87 3
Lack of Practical Components in Commerce 5.46 11.87 3
Education
Inadequate Infrastructure 3.32 11.87 3
Finance Problem 8.6 11.87 3
No Students Supporting activities 2.89 11.87 1
Lack of Governance Status 3.02 11.87 3
Source: Primary data
Table 8 provide information about chi-square value and factors embody null hypothesis. Not provide
skilled based education is concern, the null skills, decision making skills and
hypothesis were rejected because the calculated
entrepreneurial skills. However, the earlier
value of chi-square is greater than (11.9>11.87)
research opined that still commerce education
x2 value. It means the commerce education has
been offering skilled based education to needy. lagging behind as far as to utilization of the
Further other hypothesis like lack of university
global opportunities properly and effectively.
and industry interface, lack of practical
In view of this the following
components in commerce education,
inadequate infrastructure, facing financial suggestions are given for the betterment of
problems, less student supporting activities and
commerce education viz., commerce colleges
lack of governance the calculated value of chi-
required to strengthen the infrastructure and
square is greater than X2 value, hence the null
hypothesis was accepted. that should be quality in nature, ensure adequate

qualified and competent manpower, develop

Conclusion and suggestions
the course content relevant to the changing
Commerce education plays very
business environment and to meet the society
important role in nation building of the country
requirements, the course should be more
and commerce education produce nearly 50%
practical in nature than theoretical and that
of graduates among total graduates in India
should be match with the requirements of
with different skills like manpower
industry, society and nation, communicative
management skills, resources management
Kannada and communicative English language
skills, accounting related skills, tax
be introduce instead of teaching stories and
management skills, money utilization and
dramas in languages courses, focuses on
money management skills, behavioural skills,
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computer accounting rather than software

interpersonal skills, social skills, marketing

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 International Journal of Commerce and Management Studies (IJCAMS)
Peer Reviewed, Indexed Journal, ISSN 2456-3684
Vol.6, No.4, 2021, www.ijcams.com
related study, ensures trained commerce training in language labs, accounting and tax

teachers and they should get adequate salary, related post should be reserved for commerce

why it is require since many teachers on students, this may strengthen the accounting

nongovernment or unadded employees in the department at all India levels, commerce

colleges , they are getting very less salary, so , teachers should be adopt innovative and holistic

the colleges should ensures an adequate and method of teaching and learning, in addition to

appropriate salary which facilitates to teachers this the commerce teachers should be involved

much concentrate on teaching, rather than to in research , that enhances the competency of

think about salary, since salary is essential to the teachers. Apart from the above the

meet the requirements of human beings, above commerce colleges and universities should

all it leads employees happiness, satisfied dedicated weekly one period for each course

employees are the big assets for the and allow the students to speak at least 15

organization, the commerce course should not minutes on any aspects of the course, which

neglect business mathematics and reasoning, helps to improve the communication and come

these two aspects are part and partial of banking out from stage fear.

examinations and other competitive exams,

commerce education required to develop

References
communication skills among young graduates,
1. Ghosh A. B. (1969) Commerce Education,
since most of the students hails from rural area,
Sultan Chand & Sons, Delhi
they are weak in English communication so,
2. Rao Seema (1995) Teaching of Commerce,
this is needed to develop without fail by giving
Anmol Publications Pvt., Delhi
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