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Occupation-Specific Skills, Labor Market Context and Preferences for Redistribution

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  • Serrano-Serrat, Josep

Abstract

Different strands in social sciences have analyzed the role of specific skills on distinct political stances, however, a consensus has not been reached yet. This is so because some scholars stress the fact that specific skills tend to shelter workers from job loss (replaceability thesis), while others that it decreases re-employment potential (portability thesis). To tackle these contradictory results, in the current paper I argue that OSS are a key element in shaping labor market prospects, and for studying this relation scholars should move beyond theories about firm-specific skills (FSS). The main difference outlined is that, contrary to FSS, occupational context moderates how OSS shape labor market prospects. I claim that OSS affect two key elements that allow to explain redistribution preferences: social mobility and social risks. Both of these effects are moderated by occupational context. After a discussion about how OSS shape labor market prospects, a simple formal model of redistribution preferences is presented. I show the relevance of this new approach using different rounds from the ESS and the ISSP.

Suggested Citation

  • Serrano-Serrat, Josep, 2022. "Occupation-Specific Skills, Labor Market Context and Preferences for Redistribution," SocArXiv rz9c6, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:socarx:rz9c6
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/rz9c6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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