On the links between spatial variables and overeducation

Abstract

This article considers the role that diverse spatial variables play in explaining overeducation. Unlike previous analyses of the Spanish case, we have directly tested the links between current mobility (commuting and migration) and overeducation, and in contrast to previous literature, we have included a direct measure of potential spatial flexibility at an individual level (worker availability to migrate, in response to the needs of his/her firm). Regional labour market conditions are also considered in the analysis. Our results show that the links between overeducation and spatial variables vary depending on the specific sub-group of wage earners considered, based on gender and education.

Spatial mobility and overeducation of young workers: New evidence from France

“…Only commuting time appears to be helpful for this latter category. Similarly, in the Spanish case, Romaní et al (2016) evidence that migration has no effect on overeducation, except for male workers with a university degree. On Dutch data, Venhorst and Cörvers (2018) find a positive effect of internal migration on the likelihood of obtaining a horizontal match for both college and university graduates.…”

“…On the contrary, our findings are in line with the studies conducted by Jauhiainen (2011) on Finnish data and Ramos and Sanromá (2013) on Spanish data, which both observe that moving to another region reduces the risk of overeducation for workers. Also on Spanish data, Romaní et al (2016) confirm the link between spatial mobility and overeducation only for some specific groups as the highly educated, while Croce and Ghignoni (2015) show a negative impact of commuting on the risk of educational mismatch for Italian upper‐secondary graduates, as well as a negative impact of migration for university graduates. These results support the need for an analysis that differentiates between education levels, as is done in Table 6.…”

“…In particular, we examine the links between geographical mobility (between graduation and the job currently occupied) and the risk of overeducation, the latter being defined as the fact of occupying a job requiring an educational level lower than one's own. Previous works have indeed shown that expanding the job search area could be an important factor in avoiding overeducation in OECD countries (see Büchel & van Ham, 2003, for Germany; Hensen et al, 2009, for the Netherlands; Devillanova, 2013, for Italy; or even Romaní et al, 2016, for Spain). However, to our knowledge, such a question has not been studied yet in the French context.…”

Assessing Educational Mismatch in the Spanish Hospitality Industry

“…Firstly, mobility -understood as international experience -might influence the odds of getting employed if the worker migrates from a country with a worse unemployment rate than the host country (Vazquez-Rodriguez et al, 2021). Besides, mobility -understood as changing the labour market -seems to influence the chances of becoming overeducated (Ramos & Sanromá, 2013;Romaní et al, 2016). Also, other variables usually included in Human Capital studies are proved to impact the chances of mismatch risk.…”