Antagonistic Managers, Careless Workers and Extraverted Salespeople: An Examination of Personality in Occupational Choice

Roger Ham (), Pramod (Raja) Junankar and Robert Wells ()
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Roger Ham: University of Western Sydney
Robert Wells: University of Western Sydney

No 4193, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This paper is an econometric investigation of the choice of individuals between a number of occupation groupings utilising an extensive array of conditioning variables measuring a variety of aspects of individual heterogeneity. Whilst the model contains the main theory of occupational choice, human capital theory, it also tests dynasty hysteresis through parental status variables. The focus is an examination of the relationship between choice and personality with the inclusion of psychometrically derived personality variables. Occupational choice is modelled using multinomial logit estimation using the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey data. Human capital variables are found to exhibit strong credentialism effects. Parental status has a small and limited effect on occupation outcomes indicative of only some small dynasty hysteresis. On the other hand, personality effects are found to be significant, relatively large and persistent across all occupations. Further, the strength of these personality effects are such that they can in many instances rival that of various education credentials. These personality effects include but are not limited to: managers being less agreeable and more antagonistic; labourers being less conscientiousness; and sales people being more extraverted.

Keywords: credentialism; personality traits; occupational choice; dynasty hysteresis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C25 J24 J62 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 31 pages
Date: 2009-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe, nep-hrm and nep-lab
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

Published - published in: Applied Economics, 2016, 48 (7), 636-651

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