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Sheepskin Effects in Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Bauer, Thomas K.

    (RWI)

  • Dross, Patrick J.

    (DIW Berlin)

  • de New, John

    (Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research)

Abstract

Using data for the 1990’s, this paper examines the role of sheepskin effects in the returns to education for Japan. Our estimations indicate that sheepskin effects explain about 50% of the total returns to schooling. We further find that sheepskin effects are only important for workers in small firms with the size of these effects being similar to comparable estimates for the US. These results could be explained by the particular recruitment system of large firms in Japan, which makes the university diploma as a screening device unimportant for large firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Bauer, Thomas K. & Dross, Patrick J. & de New, John, 2002. "Sheepskin Effects in Japan," IZA Discussion Papers 593, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp593
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Card, David & Krueger, Alan B, 1992. "Does School Quality Matter? Returns to Education and the Characteristics of Public Schools in the United States," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 100(1), pages 1-40, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shabbar Jaffry & Yaseen Ghulam & Vyoma Shah, 2007. "Returns to Education in Pakistan," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 46(4), pages 833-852.
    2. Nakabayashi, Masaki, 2011. "Schooling, employer learning, and internal labor market effect: Wage dynamics and human capital investment in the Japanese steel industry, 1930-1960s," MPRA Paper 30597, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. NAKABAYASHI, Masaki, 2011. "Acquired Skills and Learned Abilities: Wage Dynamics of Blue-collar Workers in Internal Labor Markets," ISS Discussion Paper Series (series F) f153, Institute of Social Science, The University of Tokyo, revised Apr 2012.
    4. Sourafel Girma & Abbi Kedir, 2005. "Heterogeneity in returns to schooling: Econometric evidence from Ethiopia," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(8), pages 1405-1416.
    5. Olfindo, Rosechin, 2018. "Diploma as signal? Estimating sheepskin effects in the Philippines," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 113-119.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    returns to education; sheepskin effects; Japan;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • 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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