How Relevant is Job Mismatch for German Graduates?

48 Pages Posted: 23 Nov 2012

See all articles by Francesco Berlingieri

Francesco Berlingieri

ZEW – Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research - Labour Markets, Human Resources and Social Policy Department

Daniel Erdsiek

ZEW – Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research

Date Written: 2012

Abstract

In this study, we examine the incidence and direct consequences of job mismatch for German graduates. Beyond measuring job mismatch by the comparison of qualification obtained by employees and required for a job, we employ self-reported skill mismatch variables concerning overall skills and more detailed information about the surplus or deficit in specific competences. The results indicate that a substantial share of graduates underutilizes own skills in the job. The rate of overqualification and skill mismatch is found to differ strongly between fields of study, type of university and gender. In addition, we investigate to what extent jobs of matched graduates differ from jobs held by mismatched graduates. Jobs of the latter are found to exhibit lower complexity and creativity requirements but to be more monotone than matching jobs. Furthermore, we provide a conceptual underpinning of the possible explanations of job-worker mismatch and its implication for different actors in the economy.

Keywords: job mismatch, overqualification, skill mismatch

JEL Classification: J24, I2

Suggested Citation

Berlingieri, Francesco and Erdsiek, Daniel, How Relevant is Job Mismatch for German Graduates? (2012). ZEW - Centre for European Economic Research Discussion Paper No. 12-075, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2179041 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2179041

Francesco Berlingieri (Contact Author)

ZEW – Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research - Labour Markets, Human Resources and Social Policy Department ( email )

P.O.Box 10 34 43
D-68034
Germany

Daniel Erdsiek

ZEW – Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research ( email )

P.O. Box 10 34 43
L 7,1
D-68034 Mannheim, 68034
Germany

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