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Antagonistic Managers, Careless Workers and Extraverted Salespeople: An Examination of Personality in Occupational Choice

Author

Listed:
  • Ham, Roger

    (University of Western Sydney)

  • Junankar, Pramod N. (Raja)

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Wells, Robert

    (University of Western Sydney)

Abstract

This paper is an econometric investigation of the choice of individuals between a number of occupation groupings utilising an extensive array of conditioning variables measuring a variety of aspects of individual heterogeneity. Whilst the model contains the main theory of occupational choice, human capital theory, it also tests dynasty hysteresis through parental status variables. The focus is an examination of the relationship between choice and personality with the inclusion of psychometrically derived personality variables. Occupational choice is modelled using multinomial logit estimation using the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey data. Human capital variables are found to exhibit strong credentialism effects. Parental status has a small and limited effect on occupation outcomes indicative of only some small dynasty hysteresis. On the other hand, personality effects are found to be significant, relatively large and persistent across all occupations. Further, the strength of these personality effects are such that they can in many instances rival that of various education credentials. These personality effects include but are not limited to: managers being less agreeable and more antagonistic; labourers being less conscientiousness; and sales people being more extraverted.

Suggested Citation

  • Ham, Roger & Junankar, Pramod N. (Raja) & Wells, Robert, 2009. "Antagonistic Managers, Careless Workers and Extraverted Salespeople: An Examination of Personality in Occupational Choice," IZA Discussion Papers 4193, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp4193
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    Cited by:

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    2. Maczulskij, Terhi & Viinikainen, Jutta, 2021. "Personality and Public Sector Employment," ETLA Working Papers 86, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy.
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    5. Giovanni Immordino & Anna Maria C. Menichini & Maria Grazia Romano, 2012. "Optimal Compensation Contracts for Optimistic Managers," Working Papers 3_224, Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche e Statistiche, Università degli Studi di Salerno.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    occupational choice; personality traits; credentialism; dynasty hysteresis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities

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