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Socio-Economic Determinants of Student Mobility and Inequality of Access to Higher Education in Italy

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  • Umut Turk

    (Department of Economics (University of Verona))

Abstract

This paper introduces a modified version of the Hansen-gravity model as a framework to estimate the accessibility of higher education (HE) institutions in Italy from equal opportunities perspective. The key assumption underlying gravity models is that accessibility decreases with spatial distance from opportunities. The paper extends the gravity equation to allow for the inclusion of socio-economic factors influencing the access to HE. The findings reveal differences in response to quality and to other institutional characteristics by parental background and gender. Finally, decomposition of overall inequality into spatial and aspatial components reveals both the physical and social distance between groups of students seeking higher education opportunities in the country.

Suggested Citation

  • Umut Turk, 2017. "Socio-Economic Determinants of Student Mobility and Inequality of Access to Higher Education in Italy," Working Papers 08/2017, University of Verona, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ver:wpaper:08/2017
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    Cited by:

    1. Umut TURK, 2021. "A multilevel analysis of the contextual effects in distance education outcomes during COVID-19," Eastern Journal of European Studies, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 12, pages 149-169, August.
    2. Cristian Usala & Mariano Porcu & Isabella Sulis, 2023. "The high school effect on students’ mobility choices," Statistical Methods & Applications, Springer;Società Italiana di Statistica, vol. 32(4), pages 1259-1293, October.
    3. Umut Türk & John Östh, 2019. "How much does geography contribute? Measuring inequality of opportunities using a bespoke neighbourhood approach," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 295-318, June.
    4. Martina Vittorietti & Ornella Giambalvo & Vincenzo Giuseppe Genova & Fabio Aiello, 2023. "A new measure for the attitude to mobility of Italian students and graduates: a topological data analysis approach," Statistical Methods & Applications, Springer;Società Italiana di Statistica, vol. 32(2), pages 509-543, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Spatial Interaction; Higher Education Accessibility; Gravity Model; Equality of Opportunity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General

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