Bangalore: There are gaps that exist between the expectations of the employers and certain skills of MBA graduates, according to a study, which was conducted to systematically evaluate if there are gaps in the expectations and performance of newly hired MBAs in the Indian BFSI sector. The Skills Gap Survey was conducted by Higher Education Forum (BEF) between late November 2009 and January 2010, reports PTI. "The Skills Gap Survey found that gaps do exist, particularly in skills such as listening, and team work and collaboration; attitudes such as self-motivation, self-discipline and commitment and dedication; and Knowledge such as understanding organisation and process; product, solutions, and services; and consumer behaviour," said Director 1SOS Manish Panchal and Vice-President Westat India Vasudha Narayanan who conducted the survey for HEF. The core topics covered by the Skills Gap Survey are the knowledge, skills, and attitudes employers expect of these new MBAs, and their performance compared to these expectations. The research is the first step in understanding the gaps between industry expectation and the performance of newly hired MBAs in the Indian BFSI sector. Only a small sample of the many, diverse BFSI organisations were included in this study. Although this survey helps begin to understand the issue, further research is needed, they said. A purposive sample was compiled starting with members of HEF and moving outward from there. In total, data were collected from 113 individuals from 74 organizations in the BFSI sector. The survey found that industry has the highest expectations for newly hired MBAs in the area of attitudes, followed by skills, and finally by knowledge. The consensus view, as shared by one respondent, was clear, "We hire people for attitude and train them for the skills," Panchal said.