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Real option, human capital investment returns and higher educational policy

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  • Hwang, Wei-Yei
  • Liao, Shu-Yi
  • Huang, Mao-Lung

Abstract

This paper incorporates the concept of real option into a modified Harris–Todaro model to investigate the relationship between higher education and unemployment rates. We found that the real option value of waiting to invest in graduate school education will decrease when the expected wage rate of labors with an undergraduate degree becomes relatively lower than that with a graduate degree. As a result, more undergraduate students will decide to go to graduate schools immediately after graduation. As the supply of labors with a graduate degree increases and the job creations fail to meet the increasing demand, those who cannot get a graduate-level job will be willing to accept job offers lower than their education level. Our modified Harris–Todaro model shows that it will lead to an increase in the number of unemployed and underemployed higher educated labors. This explains why the unemployment rates for higher educated labor are relatively high in some developed countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Hwang, Wei-Yei & Liao, Shu-Yi & Huang, Mao-Lung, 2013. "Real option, human capital investment returns and higher educational policy," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 447-452.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:31:y:2013:i:c:p:447-452
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2012.11.061
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    Cited by:

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    2. Birulin, Oleksii & Smirnov, Vladimir & Wait, Andrew, 2020. "The evolving nature of the college wage premium," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 474-479.
    3. Andreea Mirica, 2014. "Higher Education – A Solution To Unemployment? Case Study: Romania," Romanian Statistical Review, Romanian Statistical Review, vol. 62(3), pages 63-75, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Real option; Human capital investment; Higher education; Unemployment rate;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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