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Social Networks and the Employment Problem of the Urban Poor

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  • David A. Reingold

    (School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, SPEA 243, 10th and Fee Lane, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-2100, USA, dreingol@indiana.edu)

Abstract

This paper investigates the link between social networks and the ability to find a job through a personal contact among adult inner-city residents. Using data collected by the National Opinion Research Center that interviewed 2490 adult inner-city residents, the impact of network structure and composition on finding a job through word-of-mouth is estimated. Ethnic differences in the rate of finding jobs through word-of-mouth were found, as well as interesting ethnic and racial differences in the way social networks operate to connect job-seekers and job vacancies. Overall, the findings suggest that social networks account for some of the employment problems that many inner-city residents face.

Suggested Citation

  • David A. Reingold, 1999. "Social Networks and the Employment Problem of the Urban Poor," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 36(11), pages 1907-1932, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:36:y:1999:i:11:p:1907-1932
    DOI: 10.1080/0042098992674
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Holzer, Harry J, 1987. "Informal Job Search and Black Youth Unemployment," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 77(3), pages 446-452, June.
    2. O'Regan Katherine M. & Quigley John M., 1993. "Family Networks and Youth Access to Jobs," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 230-248, September.
    3. O'Regan, Katherine M. & Quigley, John M., 1991. "Labor market access and labor market outcomes for urban youth," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 21(2), pages 277-293, July.
    4. Harry J. Holzer, 1991. "The Spatial Mismatch Hypothesis: What Has the Evidence Shown?," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 28(1), pages 105-122, February.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Fenne M. Pinkster, 2014. "Neighbourhood Effects as Indirect Effects: Evidence from a Dutch Case Study on the Significance of Neighbourhood for Employment Trajectories," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(6), pages 2042-2059, November.
    4. Shin, Eun Jin, 2017. "Ethnic neighborhoods, social networks, and inter-household carpooling: A comparison across ethnic minority groups," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 14-26.
    5. YODO Masato & YANO Makoto, 2017. "Household Income and the OECD's Four Types of Social Capital," Discussion papers 17119, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).

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