Factors Influencing Employment Rate and Mobility of Science and Engineering and Economics and Management Graduates in Northeast China: An Examination

Zhang Qiwang,Wang Xiaorui

doi:10.1177/2158244020931935

Abstract

In China, the employment problem of higher education, social governance, and economic development is important. Exploring the employment mechanism and distribution of general colleges and universities can provide empirical evidence to the employment generating ability of colleges and universities and also suggestions for the development of regional talent policies. Based on the theories of growth, employment, and structural employment, this study analyzes the influence of macro- and micro-factors on the employment of science and engineering and economics and management graduates, adopting a multiple regression and structural equation model. Although employment of science and engineering and economics and management in general universities is affected by different macro- and micro-factors, the former has both direct and indirect effects on employment, which are stronger than the latter. The employment distribution of science and technology is highly correlated with regional gross domestic product, while the employment distribution of economics and management reflects regional stickiness.

Highlights

Employment, one of the statistical indicators of the national economy, is the foundation of people’s livelihood and a key policy objective of any country (Chambers, 1995; Ellis, 1999; Liu et al, 2014)
The constant term is significantly positive in all samples, which indicates that the existence of rigid employment is consistent with the employment guidance policy of Chinese government for university students
The control variable is significantly negative in all samples, demonstrating that the number of graduates is negatively correlated with employment rate

Summary

Introduction

Employment, one of the statistical indicators of the national economy, is the foundation of people’s livelihood and a key policy objective of any country (Chambers, 1995; Ellis, 1999; Liu et al, 2014). The employment rate of college graduates is more than just a socioeconomic indicator (Roksa & Levey, 2010). Due to its influence on the evaluation of university performance and student entrance registration, employment is of practical significance. In the case of China, the comprehensive ranking system, size and quality of enrollment, and investment of education funds are all related to the employment factor of universities and colleges (Bai, 2006; Li et al, 2008). The study of university’s employment capability has become a focus area in the disciplines of education economics, labor economics, and sociology

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion