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Estimation of an Occupational Choice Model when Occupations are Misclassified

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  • Sullivan, Paul

Abstract

This paper examines occupational choices using a discrete choice model that accounts for the fact that self-reported occupation data is measured with error. Despite evidence from validation studies which suggests that there is a substantial amount of measurement error in self-reported occupations, existing research has not corrected for classification error when estimating models of occupational choice. This paper develops a panel data model of occupational choices that corrects for misclassification in occupational choices and measurement error in occupation-specific work experience variables. The model is used to estimate the extent of measurement error in self-reported occupation data and quantify the bias that results from ignoring measurement error in occupation codes when studying the determinants of occupational choices and estimating the effects of occupation-specific human capital on wages. The parameter estimates reveal that 9% of occupational choices in the 1979 cohort of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth are misclassified. Ignoring misclassification biases the median parameter in the occupational choice model by 25%.

Suggested Citation

  • Sullivan, Paul, 2006. "Estimation of an Occupational Choice Model when Occupations are Misclassified," MPRA Paper 862, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:862
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    Cited by:

    1. Yamaguchi, Shintaro, 2010. "The effect of match quality and specific experience on career decisions and wage growth," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 17(2), pages 407-423, April.
    2. Francis Green & Golo Henseke, 2016. "The changing graduate labour market: analysis using a new indicator of graduate jobs," IZA Journal of Labor Policy, Springer;Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 5(1), pages 1-25, December.
    3. Sullivan, Paul, 2010. "Empirical evidence on occupation and industry specific human capital," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 17(3), pages 567-580, June.
    4. Carlos Carrillo‐Tudela & Ludo Visschers, 2023. "Unemployment and Endogenous Reallocation Over the Business Cycle," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 91(3), pages 1119-1153, May.
    5. Sebastián Aparicio & Andrés Ramírez Hassan & Diego Fernando Gómez Sánchez, 2013. "Elección de ocupaciones que generen empleo usando modelos de elección discreta: Medellín Área Metropolitana 2009," Estudios Gerenciales, Universidad Icesi, December.
    6. Shintaro Yamaguchi, 2012. "Tasks and Heterogeneous Human Capital," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 30(1), pages 1-53.
    7. Maria Felice Arezzo & Giuseppina Guagnano, 2019. "Misclassification in Binary Choice Models with Sample Selection," Econometrics, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-19, July.
    8. By Barbara Mueller & Jürg Schweri, 2015. "How specific is apprenticeship training? Evidence from inter-firm and occupational mobility after graduation," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 67(4), pages 1057-1077.
    9. Ben Yahmed, Sarra, 2016. "Formal but less equal: Gender wage gaps in formal and informal jobs in Brazil," ZEW Discussion Papers 16-085, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    10. Shintaro Yamaguchi, 2009. "Formation of Heterogeneous Skills and Wage Growth," Global COE Hi-Stat Discussion Paper Series gd09-088, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    11. Matthew D. Baird, 2017. "Labor Supply Estimation Biases From Disregarding Nonwage Benefits," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 55(2), pages 1064-1090, April.
    12. Rajesh Paleti & Lacramioara Balan, 2019. "Misclassification in travel surveys and implications to choice modeling: application to household auto ownership decisions," Transportation, Springer, vol. 46(4), pages 1467-1485, August.
    13. Arndt Werner & Johanna Gast & Sascha Kraus, 2014. "The effect of working time preferences and fair wage perceptions on entrepreneurial intentions among employees," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 137-160, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    occupational choice; misclassification; simulation methods;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • C15 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Statistical Simulation Methods: General

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