Graduate Economics Research Articles

Higher Education, Higher Salaries? A Case Applied to Graduates in Economics

This document aims to contribute to the understanding of the determinants for choosing the Economics career in Bolivia, as well as the impact that postgraduate education has on the salary levels of graduates in this field. Regarding the latter aspect, it seeks to test whether the number of years of study following the undergraduate degree of an economist determines a higher salary level and whether postgraduate studies serve as a signal of differentiation in the labour market. To achieve the objectives outlined in this document, various linear probability econometric models are employed, constructed from the results of a survey conducted in 2024 with 79 graduates and 45 students from the Economics program at the Universidad Católica Boliviana “San Pablo.” The results suggest that the choice of the Economics career is more likely influenced by close individuals rather than by the information provided by the University about the content of the program. Furthermore, a greater number of years of study after obtaining an undergraduate degree decreases the likelihood of achieving higher salary returns, indicating signs of adverse selection within the labour market for economists in Bolivia.

A scoping review of the graduate outcome literature

Higher education (HE) policymaking is increasingly concerned with graduate outcomes. Policies often use narrow economic metrics, such as employment rates and salaries, to set strategic goals for HE and assess `value for money´. Despite this policy relevance, little attempt has been made to assess the academic literature in this area. The field’s strengths and weaknesses, areas of focus and level of criticality are unknown, leaving us unable to judge its ability to inform policy. This paper addresses this gap using a novel two-phase scoping review method. Phase 1 assesses literature that explicitly uses the term `graduate outcome´, finding a field that is largely fragmented into subfields. Phase 2 then performs a series of `top-level´ scoping reviews on each sub-field and combines them to assess the `overall´ literature. This `overall´ literature is found to share HE policy’s focus on economic graduate outcomes. While several well-developed non-economic subfields exist, such as critical thinking and lifelong learning, these are comparatively small. A limited proportion of the literature considers issues of inequality and other `critical´ topics. If research is to better inform policy in this area, it would be beneficial to develop a broader and more critical research programme.

The EGSO: Against Scholarly Paternalism

The essay traces the origins of the Economics Graduate Student Organization (EGSO), founded in 1973 in the Economics Department at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. One enduring part of Jack Amariglio’s legacy lies in his contributions to the cofounding of this unique organization, which has waged a successful struggle against scholarly paternalism for half a century through, among other means, its control over the distribution of teaching jobs.

OP3 The Upgrade of Educational System for Improving Practical Skills of Economics Graduate Students in HTA in Ukraine

OP3 The Upgrade of Educational System for Improving Practical Skills of Economics Graduate Students in HTA in Ukraine

Applying Pure Mathematics: IMPA and the Entanglements of Mathematical Economics in Brazil

This article studies the entanglements of mathematical economics in Brazil by delving into the emergence of a scientific community identified with the subject at the Instituto de Matemática Pura e Aplicada (IMPA). It traces how networks built since IMPA's early years in the 1950s made economics a viable alternative to applied mathematics in an institute mostly dedicated to research in pure mathematics. The article examines how interests in mathematical economics remained active during IMPA's expansion beginning in the late 1960s. This process culminated with the creation of the mathematical economics graduate program at IMPA in 1980 by Aloisio Araujo. The article follows how the program could build strong connections to the Escola de Pós-Graduação em Economia (EPGE), an important department of economics in Brazil, helping to shape recent developments in the center. The article thus aims to reveal how historical connections and entwinements of economics and mathematics groomed at IMPA have affected recent developments in the Brazilian economics community.

The sorting effect on wages in the formal labor market: An analysis of administration, accounting and economics graduates from a public university in Brazil

This article tests the hypothesis of the existence of a sorting effect on the remuneration of graduates in a Brazilian public university, combining identifiable data of graduates and records of the formal labor market in 2017. The estimation of remuneration equations and the decomposition of Oaxaca allow to observe higher remunerations for the graduates in the institution, in comparison to other workers of similar characteristics and occupations. The results are compatible with the hypothesis of a sorting effect, in which the institution's diploma reveals innate characteristics of workers to employers.

ASSESSING CAREER READINESS AMONG TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL HOME ECONOMICS GRADUATES: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Assessing the competencies and skills of Home Economics students is essential to understand their proficiency levels in key areas like Financial Management, Culinary Expertise, and Leadership Qualities in this literature review. However, the presence of diverse opinions emphasizes the importance of tailored curriculum approaches to strengthen these competencies effectively. Students' self-assessment of skills in hospitality management provides insights into their confidence levels, showcasing strengths in Entrepreneurial Mindset and Adaptability/Flexibility, yet revealing weaknesses in Family/Consumer Sciences Knowledge and Home Management/Housekeeping. These insights inform targeted support and training programs, enhancing the career readiness of Home Economics graduates. Furthermore, robust connections between students' interests and skills across Home Economics sub-fields suggest opportunities for integrated program design aligned with students' strengths. Addressing socio-economic factors and aligning educational offerings with students' aspirations are essential for fostering an inclusive learning environment conducive to career readiness. Implications include tailored curriculum approaches enhancing overall education quality, equipping graduates with skills for workforce success, and driving positive change within Home Economics education.

The Relations between Students’ Intercultural Communication Competencies and Employability

In today’s globalised world, businesses operate on an international level. Most business and economics graduates will interact with colleagues, clients, and partners from diverse cultural backgrounds. Intercultural competencies are essential for their success and effective collaboration in the labour market. A special questionnaire was compiled to investigate students’ intercultural competencies. Based on the statements and responses of the questionnaire, the examination aimed to establish the principal components of the intercultural communication competencies of the students of a Hungarian university. In the next phase of the research, the principal components served to create student clusters which were analysed from a labour market point of view, focusing on advantages and disadvantages. The crucial question was: which cluster is in demand the most in the labour market? By utilizing a principal component analysis, the dataset was reduced to three key components. Subsequently, to classify the students into groups, a multivariate statistical procedure, i.e., cluster analysis, was used to reveal the structures by clearly considering the similarities of a relatively heterogeneous population and to create a relatively homogeneous subset. The study revealed five distinct student clusters, each with varying advantages and disadvantages for employers. In this context, the Interculturally Active and Open with Good Language Skills cluster proved to be the most competent, with the least ideal collection indisputably being the Interculturally Reluctant in Cooperating cluster. The research underscores the importance of intercultural communication competencies for employees and enriches our understanding of the dynamics between intercultural communication competencies and workforce readiness. Developing these competencies in foreign language classes will significantly facilitate our students’ employment.

Distributional Comparisons Using the Gini Inequality Measure

AbstractThis article is aimed at undergraduate and graduate economics students, as well as public sector economists, who are interested in inequality measurement. It examines the use of the Gini inequality measure to compare income distributions. The implicit distributional value judgements are made explicit, via the use of a particular form of Social Welfare Function. Emphasis is given to the interpretation of changes in inequality.

Strategi Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia (SDM) Baitul Mal Wat Tamwil di Sumatera Utara

This study aims to determine the current state of the internal and external environment of BMT human resources in North Sumatra to determine the baitul mal wat tamwi human resource development strategy in North Sumatra. This type of research uses a qualitative approach using a SWOT analysis. This research was conducted directly at BMTs in North Sumatra, namely BMT Masyarakat Madani, BMT Raudhah, and BMT Al-Musabbihin. The research time started in June 2022, and it is finished. The researchers obtained it from the company and managers in the company, including managers and administrators in the two BMTs. The research object in question is the Human Resources (HR) development strategy for BMT Civil Society, BMT Raudhah BMT Al-Musabbihin, and its influence on the resilience of BMT and its impact on the welfare of MSMEs. The primary data source in this thesis is taken from answers to questionnaires distributed to respondents through direct interviews with the subject of the BMT management or those in charge of the BMT institution.Data obtained from other sources, researchers also include secondary data as a reinforcement of arguments, both from various literature such as previous research journals, both national and international, books, statistical data, and so on. After being seen from the internal environment, the study results stated that the BMT Human Resource Development Strategy in North Sumatra consisted of strengths, namely clear legal aspects of BMT and good relations between employees. At the same time, the weaknesses consist of human resources who tend not to be graduates of Islamic economics, family management, and human resource capabilities and competencies that still need them. Not active in the BMT forum/organization. When viewed from the external environment, it consists of opportunities, namely Linkage with Islamic Banks. At the same time, the threats are the lack of government support, minimal financial support, and the issue of the industrial revolution 5.0. A microfinance institution emerged. Furthermore, based on the results of the SWOT matrix analysis, after processing the IFE and EFE matrices, the resulting strategy quadrant is in quadrant 1, namely the progressive strategy. The approach used to develop BMT human resources in North Sumatra is the BMT SO Strategy will continue to make clear legality as a reinforcement for the establishment of BMT, continue to establish good relations between employees and take advantage of BMT links with Islamic Banks. As a strategy analysis from the author for BMT to utilize digitalization of BMT in promoting the presence of BMT or other social media.

Do professional year placements matter for job quality? The case of economics graduates

ABSTRACT We study whether the completion of an optional professional year placement during undergraduate studies enhances job quality, in terms of earnings, job security and career fit, for economics graduates from a UK university. Using linear and discrete choice models, we estimate the effect of doing a professional year placement on four graduate outcomes that capture job quality and use a rich data set to control for demographics, educational background, academic achievement, degree, and graduate job characteristics. To account for possible self-selection bias, we use propensity score matching. We find a positive but weak effect of the professional year placement on earnings, but the salary gap becomes statistically insignificant once we control for self-selection. Similarly, we find no conclusive evidence supporting a positive effect of professional year placement on job security. However, we find a positive and robust effect of professional year placement on career fit: placement graduates are more likely to find jobs that fit their career plans than non-placement graduates, which holds even after controlling for self-selection. The empirical findings also show that job characteristics, like location and type of industry, and school background are additional factors contributing to graduates' employment quality. Finally, we find no differences in job quality due to gender.

Adams and Eves: High school math and the gender gap in Economics majors

AbstractWhy so few women graduate in Economics? We investigate the gender gap among Italian university graduates in Economics between 2010 and 2019. With women's probability of graduating in Economics being 27% lower than men's, the gap is larger than in Business and even STEM. The association between the gender gap and the mathematical content of high school curricula is especially strong in Economics. A triple difference analysis shows that a reform raising the mathematical content of traditionally low math curricula caused an increase in the gender gap, with women's probability of graduating in Economics decreasing by 12 percentage points.

Labour Market Outcomes of Graduates in Economics in Australia*

The discipline of economics encompasses broad skillsets with diverse applications in employment markets and industries. Studies of labour market prospects for economics graduates are relatively dated particularly in the light of developments such as declining interest in economics in high school and university. This study examines the labour market outcomes of Australian economics graduates, at the bachelor and postgraduate levels, using a national dataset. We observe strong employment prospects for graduates in economics after graduation, in terms of full‐time employment and salaries. Obtaining a postgraduate qualification appears to pay off, with master's and PhD graduates experiencing more favourable employment outcomes than bachelor's graduates. Substantial proportions report being overqualified for their jobs although this proportion is comparable to those reported for the broader Australian graduate labour market. Reassuringly, those initially overqualified transition out and overqualification reduces in the longer term. Most economics graduates become economists, but many others enter a wide array of other occupations. Of those who start out in non‐economist professions, there is a 42 per cent chance that they transition to economist roles after 2.5 years. In summary, an economics degree leads to favourable employment and earnings and should still be considered an attractive choice for prospective students.

The Role of Sharia Economics Graduate Competence in Human Resources Improvement in Thne Halal Industry in Indonesia

The number of graduates on Islamic economics degree whose careers in the halal industri sector are limited due to low number of graduates who are certified in HR management in companies. This is of an objective conditions faced by graduates who hold Islamic Economics today. This indicates that there is a gap in terms of number of graduates who are able to be absorbed by the halal industri sector and Islamic financial institutions where only 9.1% are in accordance with their university educational background. There is a disparity in the competence and qualifications of human resources since the graduates are not equipped with adequate technical competence as required by the industri. This study used Interpretative Structure Modelling (ISM) method to examine efforts in structuring the complex needs, goals, actors and competence constraints of graduates from a model system. The results of this study revealed that the key elements of competency requirements are (1) the need for Islamic economics graduates to have hard skill and soft skill competencies. (2) the actors of competency development are Higher Education Institutions (3) The goal of competence is to create skilled human resources, (4) the obstacle in developing competence is the incompatibility of the higher education curriculum with industri needs.

Determinants of graduate economics student preparation in an online environment

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Comparing Income Distributions Using Atkinson's Measure of Inequality

AbstractThis article is aimed at undergraduate and graduate economics students, and public sector economists, who are interested in inequality measurement. It examines the use of the Atkinson inequality measure to compare income distributions. A major feature of this measure is that distributional value judgements are made explicit, via the use of a particular form of social welfare function. Emphasis is given to the interpretation of changes in inequality and the role of the relative inequality aversion parameter, which reflects an important feature of those value judgements.

Identifying Financial and Non-Financial Metrics Affecting Companies' Sustainability Performance: A Thematic Analysis Approach

Objective: The aim of this research is to identify financial and non-financial metrics that affect companies' sustainability performance, which can be utilized to develop current financial reporting in order to provide comprehensive information on companies' performance to assist in better decision-making. Method: The present study was conducted using the thematic analysis method and MAXQDA 2020 software. The research population consisted of experts (university faculty members, students, and doctoral graduates in finance, economics, accounting, and management), selected through snowball sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with experts until theoretical saturation was achieved. In this study, theoretical saturation was confirmed after conducting 26 interviews. Findings: In these interviews, experts suggested various financial and non-financial metrics in economic, social, and environmental dimensions for measuring and reporting companies' sustainability performance. Economic metrics include sales growth, research and development, liquidity growth, financial leverage, company growth opportunities, industry competition, intangible assets, gross domestic product, company age, financial incentives, CEO duality, stock liquidity, board independence, corporate governance, ownership structure, company size, return on equity, economic value added, earnings per share, and return on assets. Social metrics include ethical conduct, job security for employees, and corporate social responsibility, while environmental metrics mentioned by most experts include waste and effluent management and clean (green) production. Conclusion: It can be concluded that considering globalization and attention to social and environmental issues and responsibilities alongside corporate profitability goals, and the necessity of considering stakeholders' interests in the new corporate governance doctrine, reporting on companies' sustainability performance is not only a need but a necessity for companies in the global competitive arena and as a strategic advantage.

Gender Differences in the Early Career Earnings of Economics Graduates

Gender Differences in the Early Career Earnings of Economics Graduates

Employers’ expectations of hard and soft competencies of economics graduates

Employers’ expectations of hard and soft competencies of economics graduates

Together we can: enhancing key 21st-century skills with international virtual exchange

PurposeThis research reveals how a virtual exchange (VE) can foster transnational collaboration in higher education, assist students acquire key learning outcomes and raise awareness regarding the complexities affecting development policy and sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachOverall 50 students from two universities in Spain and the United Kingdom, enrolled on two different degree courses (Global Studies and Marketing), cooperated in multidisciplinary teams to analyze real development policies and initiatives. The authors collected quantitative and qualitative data to assess the students' perceptions of the methodology.FindingsThe students perceived the VE to be of great value, enriching their educational experience by having a positive effect on their overall learning and fostering internationalization. A high number of participants declared the teaching and learning methodology was useful to assist them in reaching crucial cognitive, skill-based and affective educational objectives, and to help them understand how development policy works while also raising awareness regarding real-world complexity.Practical implicationsThis methodology proved valuable in helping students acquire the set of skills expected from today's graduates in economics, political science and marketing. This active learning and pedagogical innovation component provides some interesting conclusions contributing toward widening the adoption of VEs in higher education contexts.Originality/valueThe increasing complexity of the globalized world makes it challenging for higher education institutions to develop multidisciplinary approaches to education to foster sustainable development. The experience provided offered the students an online international experience at their home institutions. Consequently, the research elaborates on how VE can be applied in economics, business, management and political science courses to enrich learning experience by applying theory in a practical way.