Occupational specificity: A new measurement based on training curricula and its effect on labor market outcomes

Christian Eggenberger, Miriam Rinawi and Uschi Backes-Gellner
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Miriam Koomen

Labour Economics, 2018, vol. 51, issue C, 97-107

Abstract: This paper proposes a new measurement for the specificity of occupations based on a content analysis of training curricula that we link to labor market demands. We apply Lazear's (2009) skill weights approach and test predictions on labor market outcomes derived from his theory. We find clear evidence of a trade-off between earning higher returns with more specific training and higher occupational mobility with less specific training. Our measure improves the micro-foundation of human capital specificity and provides an evidence-based approach to evaluate the specificity of training curricula.

Keywords: Human capital specificity; Occupational mobility; Vocational education and training (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (37)

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Working Paper: Occupational Specificity: A new Measurement Based on Training Curricula and its Effect on Labor Market Outcomes (2017)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:labeco:v:51:y:2018:i:c:p:97-107

DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2017.11.010

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