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An analysis of perceived overqualification in the Swiss labor market

Author

Listed:
  • Erdal Atukeren

    (Swiss Institute for Business Cycle Research (KOF) - ETH Zurich)

  • Aniela Wirz

    (University of Zurich and KOF / ETH Zurich)

Abstract

This paper takes Switzerland as a case study and examines the determinants of (perceived) overqualification in a macroeconomic setting where there is indeed excess demand for qualified labor. Our analyses show that overqualification in the Swiss labor market cannot be explained by possible rigidities and discrimination. Hence, the labor market in Switzerland must in general be considered as efficient. Hence, unobserved heterogeneity should indeed account for the phenomenon of overqualification / overeducation. Nonetheless, women's family commitments are found to restrict the full utilization of their investment in human capital. Thus, there exists some room for policy measures to improve the job – education match of women (especially of those who have children between 0 – 6 years of age) by increasing the availability of external child care facilities and / or making child care at home more affordable.

Suggested Citation

  • Erdal Atukeren & Aniela Wirz, 2005. "An analysis of perceived overqualification in the Swiss labor market," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 9(2), pages 1-10.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-05i20001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hartog, Joop, 2000. "Over-education and earnings: where are we, where should we go?," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 131-147, April.
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    3. Frank, Robert H, 1978. "Why Women Earn Less: The Theory and Estimation of Differential Overqualification," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 68(3), pages 360-373, June.
    4. Bauer, Thomas K., 2002. "Educational mismatch and wages: a panel analysis," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(3), pages 221-229, June.
    5. Groot, Wim & Maassen van den Brink, Henriette, 2000. "Overeducation in the labor market: a meta-analysis," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 149-158, April.
    6. Felix Büchel & Harminder Battu, 2003. "The Theory of Differential Overqualification: Does it Work?," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 50(1), pages 1-16, February.
    7. Dolton, Peter & Silles, Mary, 2001. "Over education in the graduate labour market: some evidence from alumni data," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 19546, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Oliver Fabel & Razvan Pascalau, 2007. "Recruitment of Overeducated Personnel: Insider-Outsider Effects on Fair Employee Selection Practices," TWI Research Paper Series 18, Thurgauer Wirtschaftsinstitut, Universität Konstanz.
    2. Andrea Diem & Stefan C. Wolter, 2014. "Overeducation among Swiss university graduates: determinants and consequences [Nicht ausbildungsadäquate Beschäftigung bei Universitätsabsolventinnen und -absolventen – Determinanten und Konsequenz," Journal for Labour Market Research, Springer;Institute for Employment Research/ Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), vol. 47(4), pages 313-328, December.
    3. Johanna Weststar, 2009. "Worker Control as a Facilitator in the Match between Education and Jobs," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 47(4), pages 723-740, December.
    4. Theo Sparreboom & Alexander Tarvid, 2016. "Imbalanced Job Polarization and Skills Mismatch in Europe," Journal for Labour Market Research, Springer;Institute for Employment Research/ Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), vol. 49(1), pages 15-42, July.
    5. Dong-Hoon Shin & David Bills, 2021. "Trends in Educational and Skill Mismatch in the United States," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-36, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Overeducation;

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • N3 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy

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