Skip to content
Licensed Unlicensed Requires Authentication Published by De Gruyter December 23, 2016

Is There a Role for Higher Education Institutions in Improving the Quality of First Employment?

  • Seamus McGuinness EMAIL logo , Adele Whelan and Adele Bergin

Abstract:

This paper examines the potential role of higher education institutions in reducing labour market mismatch amongst new graduates. The research suggests that increasing the practical aspects of degree programmes, irrespective of the field of study, will reduce the incidence of initial mismatch. In terms of routes into the labour market, higher education work placements with the potential to develop into permanent posts and the provision of higher education job placement assistance were found to have substantial impacts in reducing the incidence of graduate mismatch. The use of private employment agencies was found to significantly heighten the risk of subsequent mismatch.

Funding statement: The research leading to these results is part of the EU-STYLE (Strategic Transitions for Youth Labour in Europe) project and has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no. 613256.

References

Alba-Ramirez, A. 1993. “Mismatch in the Spanish Labor Market.” Journal of Human Resources 28 (2): 259–278.10.2307/146203Search in Google Scholar

Becker, G. S. 1964. Human Capital, a Theoretical and Empirical Analysis, with Special Reference to Education. New York: Columbia University Press.Search in Google Scholar

Becker, S., and M. Caliendo. 2007. “Sensitivity Analysis for Average Treatment Effects.” The Stata Journal 7 (1): 71–83.10.1177/1536867X0700700104Search in Google Scholar

Bia, M., and A. Mattie. 2008. “A Stata Package for the Estimation of the Dose-Response Function Through Adjustment for the Generalized Propensity Score.” The Stata Journal 8 (3): 354–373.10.1177/1536867X0800800303Search in Google Scholar

Carroll, D., and M. Tani. 2015. “Job Search as a Determinant of Graduate Over-education: Evidence from Australia.” Education Economics 23 (5): 631–644.10.1080/09645292.2014.908164Search in Google Scholar

Cedefop. 2010. The Skill Matching Challenge – Analysing Skill Mismatch and Policy Implications. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.Search in Google Scholar

Flisi, S., V. Goglio, E. Meroni, M. Rodrigues, and E. Vera-Toscano. (2014). Occupational Mismatch in Europe: Understanding Overeducation and Overskilling for Policy Making Luxemburg: JRC Science and Policy Reports, European Commission. ISSN 1831-9424.Search in Google Scholar

Hirano, K., and G. W Imbens.“The Propensity Score with Continuous Treatments.”, edited by A. Gelman, and X.-L. Meng In Applied Bayesian Modelling and Causal Inference from Incomplete-Data Perspectives. West Sussex: Wiley InterScience 2004.10.1002/0470090456.ch7Search in Google Scholar

Kampelmann, S., and F. Rycx. 2012. “The Impact of Educational Mismatch on Firm Productivity: Evidence from Linked Panel Data.” Economics of Education Review 31 (6): 918–931.10.1016/j.econedurev.2012.07.003Search in Google Scholar

Mavromaras, K., S. McGuinness, N. O’Leary, P. Sloane, and Z. Wei. 2013. “Job Mismatches and Labour Market Outcomes: Panel Evidence on Australian University Graduates.” Economic Record 89 (286): 382–395.10.2139/ssrn.1651708Search in Google Scholar

Mavromaras, K., and S. McGuinness. 2012. “Overskilling Dynamics and Education Pathways.” Economics of Education Review 31 (5): 619–628.10.1016/j.econedurev.2012.02.006Search in Google Scholar

McGuinness, S. 2006. “Overeducation in the Labour Market.” Journal of Economic Surveys 20 (3): 387–418.10.1111/j.0950-0804.2006.00284.xSearch in Google Scholar

McGuinness, S., A. Bergin, and A Whelan. “A Comparative Time Series Analysis of Overeducation in Europe: Is There A Common Policy Approach? STYLE Working Papers, WP 5.1. CROME University of Brighton, 2015 Brighton, http://www.style-research.eu/publications/working-papers/.Search in Google Scholar

McGuinness, S., and M. Wooden. 2009. “Overskilling, Job Insecurity, and Career Mobility.” Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society 48 (2): 265–286.10.1111/j.1468-232X.2009.00557.xSearch in Google Scholar

Mincer, J. 1974. Schooling, Experience and Earnings. New York: National Bureau of Economic Research.Search in Google Scholar

Pouliakas, K. 2013. “The Skill Mismatch Challenge in Europe.” Chapter 6 In Employment and Social Developments in Europe 2012, edited by European Commission. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.Search in Google Scholar

Quintini, G “Over-Qualified or Under-Skilled: A Review of the Existing Literature. OECD Social, Employment and Migration working papers No.121 2011.Search in Google Scholar

Rosenbaum, P., and D. Ruben. 1983. “The Central Role of the Propensity Score in Observational Studies for Causal Effects.” Biometrika 70 (1): 41–55.10.21236/ADA114514Search in Google Scholar

Robst, J. 2007. “Education and Job Match: The Relatedness of College Major and Work.” Economics of Education Review 26 (1): 397–407.10.1016/j.econedurev.2006.08.003Search in Google Scholar

Sattinger, M. 1993. “Assignment Models of the Distribution of Earnings.” Journal of Economic Literature 31 (2): 851–880.Search in Google Scholar

Sicherman, N. 1991. “Overeducation in the Labor Market.” Journal of Labor Economics 9 (2): 101–122.10.1086/298261Search in Google Scholar

Spence, M. A. 1973. “Job Market Signalling.” Quarterly Journal of Economics 87 (3): 353–374.10.2307/1882010Search in Google Scholar

Sloane, P“Much Ado about Nothing? What Does the Overeducation Literature Really Tell Us.” In Overeducation in Europe, edited by F. Buchel, A. De Grip, and A. Mertens, In Overeducation in Europe. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar 2003. 11–49.Search in Google Scholar

Thurow, L. 1975. Generating Inequality. New York: Basic Books.10.1007/978-1-349-15723-5Search in Google Scholar

Verhaest, D., and R. Van der Velden. 2013. “Cross-country Differences in Graduate Overeducation.” European Sociological Review 29 : 642–653.10.1093/esr/jcs044Search in Google Scholar

Published Online: 2016-12-23
Published in Print: 2016-10-1

©2016 by De Gruyter

Downloaded on 29.3.2024 from https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/bejeap-2016-0174/html
Scroll to top button