Educational Labor Market Research Articles

Financing Higher Education in Arab Countries: Challenges, Constraints and Solutions

This study related to the HE finance system aims primarily to systematically identify, summarize, examine and critically analyze the key challenges and constraints confronting HE finance as investigated in the research on this subject and propose solutions for further improvement. The findings from the defined sample of 24 relevant studies showed that major constraints and challenges facing HE financing certainly affects the flow of adequate finance provided to HEIs, including brain drain, existence of a gap between educational outcomes and labor market, reliance on policy learning and dependency on others, financial crisis, shortage of governmental resources, and poor participation of the private sector and civil society. The constraints and challenges were identified based on insightful theoretical constructs that highly characterized by principles and concepts which may not allow us to practicably develop a clear understanding of how to inspire the development of HE finance that would be a concern of policymakers and speedily acts on policy-making. However, the integration of such theoretical constructs (or others) and the introduction of serious attempts or thoughtful scenarios towards practical applications are mostly ignored. The need to acknowledge the constraints associated with limits on finance is fundamental for declining the hazardously high levels of unemployment for a sustainable economic growth. Finally, quantitative and mixed method research designs, and cross-sectional and panel analysis data are recommended to assess the influence of the HE finance systems and to identify the best opportunities and ways to meet challenges confronted by the countries, given their social and political paradigms.

The Need for Competitive Educational Management PhD Programs in Saudi Arabia

This study assessed the realities of the Saudi labor market and the need for competitive PhD programs in educational management, the aim being to propose a vision for such a program. An analysis of the current educational reality was obtained through interviews, as well as the following information: employer, years of experience, and method of recruitment, along with a number of statements presented to participants for their reaction that were designed to elicit their opinion on the importance of having competitive PhD programs in leadership. The population for this study consisted of a random sample of stakeholders (n = 24) in the labor market. Three main results emerged from the study: a) the educational labor market needs to acquire knowledge about a competitive leadership degree at the PhD level in educational administration. b) A good program for leadership in educational management would provide universities a competitive advantage at the doctoral level. The educational labor market needs academic and professional knowledge from people with doctoral degrees in educational management.

Do Racial Disparities Exist in the Labor Market for Educators?

This study used Current Population Survey data to analyze the earnings of K12 teachers and postsecondary teachers in order to test competing hypotheses about racial disparities in educator labor markets. The analysis found African American educators, despite being purported to be in a condition of relative shortage, did not earn an appreciable wage premium in either of these two occupational groups. The wages of African American K12 teachers were not significantly different from their White counterparts, while African American postsecondary teachers earned a small and statistically significant wage discount. These findings align with historical and contemporary policy developments in educator labor markets as well as social network theory rather than the work of researchers such as Becker (1971), Arrow (1998), or Fisher and Houseworth (2011). These findings are important in light of research which suggests African American student achievement is positively impacted by the increased presence of African American professionals in schools. However, if disparate treatment exists in educational labor markets, African American professionals may be discouraged from pursuing careers in K12 or higher education. As such, a variety of policy solutions might be needed to bring the supply of African American educators up to the level of perceived societal need.

Do Struggling Students Benefit From Continued Student Loan Access? Evidence From University and Beyond

We estimate the effects of access to student loans on university students’ educational attainment and labor market returns in New Zealand. We exploit the introduction of a policy mandating a minimum pass rate of 50% for student loan renewals using a fuzzy regression discontinuity design and linked administrative records. For students around the threshold, retaining access to student loans increases their likelihood of re-enrollment and bachelor’s degree completion rate. The effects are observed primarily among female students due to a substantial gender difference in compliance with the pass rate criterion. We find that retaining student loans leads to large labor market returns for struggling female students. The additional student loan debt from further borrowing declines quickly due to faster repayment of their student loan debt.

Exploring the Linkage Between Secondary Technical and Vocational Education System, Labor Market and Family Setting. A Prospective Analysis from Central Chile

Technical and vocational education plays a key role in development, being a strategic axis supporting competitiveness and labor insertion of young people. In Chile, the discussion on challenges and transformations in the secondary technical and vocational education system (STVE) have been little visible despite the significant number of students enrolled in this type of education. This study explores students' and teacher requirements and labor market demand for new competencies generation in the productive sector, services and rural extension. Using the methodological approach of prospective, we identify key variables for future trends in educational formation. The main results suggest a greater training of students in the use of information and communication technologies and stronger soft skill development for better job insertion.

Higher education massification and the changing graduate labour market in the Spanish retail banking industry: a case study

ABSTRACT The expansion of higher education in Spain has not been accompanied by a similar shift in labour market demand for graduate skills. This mismatch between education supply and labour market demand has accentuated policy concerns that without a parallel shift in the occupational structure, higher education massification is leading to an increased share of graduates occupying positions that traditionally did not require university qualifications. It is unclear, however, whether in occupying traditionally non-graduate jobs, graduate skills are underutilised, particularly given changing skill requirements in the knowledge economy. This research uses the case study approach to investigate changes in educational and skill requirements for entry-level jobs in Spanish retail banks. The case study provides a potentially valuable framework for exploring the causes for changes in job content at the sectoral level that are more difficult to explore using quantitative methods alone. This paper draws on 33 in-depth interviews with senior managers and young bank employees, conducted in 5 leading banks in Spain between January 2015 and March 2016. The study argues that even though automation has reduced the demand for routine clerical tasks in retail banks, interviews with university graduates and employers suggest graduate skills are underutilised in entry-level jobs.

Focal points of VET teacher training: a comparison of VET teacher education in the USA and Switzerland

ABSTRACT With their work at the interface between the education system and labour market, VET teachers contribute to the efficacy and quality of the future workforce. This article compares the structures of teacher education in the framework of vocational education and training (VET) in the United States and in Switzerland and aims to contribute to the international understanding of VET teacher training. The insight into two different ways of preparing VET teachers leads to a display of particular aspects of the two systems as well as of similarities. The comparison focuses on characteristics such as VET institutions as workplaces, teacher/trainer- profiles that are needed in these institutions, required qualification to work in the institutions, training institutions for teachers and contents of teacher training programmes.

Reducing Inequalities

Executive SummaryA backlash against numerous inequalities – and in particular against perceived unfairness in society – is a significant driver of the UK's current political malaise. Addressing inequalities between income groups, regions and generations will thus be key to re-establishing faith in government and avoiding further decline or even the threat of social unrest.In income terms, the UK has become much more unequal than in the immediate post-war decades, and it should be a goal to reverse that trend – targeting the OECD average for income inequality and a halving of the number of those living below the poverty line. Measures to deal with perceived unfairnesses could include tighter scrutiny of competition in high-yielding sectors such as technology, and incentives for the appointment of worker representatives to company boards. But a government intent on tackling inequalities will inescapably need to raise public spending and direct taxation of income and capital from their current historically low levels. In particular spending on education and active labour market policies needs to increase, while gaps in the benefits system and regional imbalances are addressed.Given the scale of technological change and the severe implications for the labour market, the risk is that policy will be insufficiently bold to deal with widespread disenchantment, which could ultimately pose a threat to democracy.

Needle exchange programmes in Visegrad countries: a comparative case study of structural factors in effective service delivery

BackgroundHarm reduction services, despite their proved effectiveness in the prevention of infectious diseases, are still underdeveloped in several European states. The situation in the Visegrad Group countries is especially interesting. Notwithstanding the shared history, culture and political situation in the last decades, there are significant differences in the state of harm reduction between the countries.MethodsThe research applies the ecological systems model to identify the structural barriers and facilitators affecting organisations providing needle exchange services. It uses a comparative multiple case study design with embedded units of analysis complemented by within-case analysis to establish the relationship between the number and scope of identified factors and the performance of needle exchange services. The qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with professionals working in needle exchange services in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. Additionally, relevant documents, reports and online sources were analysed.ResultsA total of 24 themes (structural factors) were identified across 11 categories on 3 levels (mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem). The list includes themes related to the broader society, politics and policy on state and local level, frameworks and amounts of funding, the situation on the education labour market, and attitudes of local communities, among others. The data shows that in the Czech Republic, many facilitators can be identified. In the three remaining countries, on the contrary, one can observe mostly barriers in NSP services delivery.ConclusionsThe study addresses a highly unexplored topic of the functioning of harm reduction organisations in East-Central Europe. It sheds light on the environment of analysed services, identifying a number of structural factors in effective service delivery in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. The research confirms the significant role of the barriers and facilitators in the services’ performance. It highlights the relationships between various elements of the needle exchange programmes’ environment, suggesting holistic strategies for addressing them. It also provides a potential starting point for further research.

The possibilities of artificial intelligence in the management of human resources in a free enterprise

This article discusses the impact of artificial intelligence in human resource management in a market economy. The aim of the article is to study the main modern trends in the development and transformation of human resource management systems under the influence of artificial intelligence. It has been established that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) carries both advantages and threats, which requires the modern economic paradigm of being ready for the challenges of digitalization, the possibility of a quick transition to realizing the use of human creative abilities and creating the conditions for a qualitative transformation of the educational sector and labor market. In addition, the use of AI will allow to achieve positive results if clear tasks are formulated before him, and, conversely, it turns out to be unable to fulfill its goals in conditions of uncertainty.

How is critical thinking valued by the labour market? Employer perspectives from different European countries

ABSTRACTAlthough Critical Thinking (CT) has been a desirable aim expressed both by higher education institutions and labour market professionals, studies on what CT means and what it looks like in the workplace are scarce. The current study intends to tackle this gap by sharing findings about the importance of CT and its practical manifestation in professions from the points of view of 189 European employers. Data shows that CT is recognized mostly as: (1) the capacity to avoid mistakes and make right decisions; (2) the capacity to correct and regulate oneself; and (3) as a social responsibility. Our findings prove that CT is valued not only insofar as it contributes to professional success, but also for personal improvement and common good. Unfortunately, participants tend to share general and ambiguous ideas about the importance of CT rather than presenting concrete, practice-based professional life examples illustrating its understanding and application within their organizations.

Integrating Syrian refugee teachers into Swedish educational labour market – reflections on a fast track design

ABSTRACTIn autumn 2016, Malmö University started two “fast track” trajectories for teachers with refugee backgrounds. The participants were offered an education of 26 weeks as an introduction to the Swedish school system, consisting of content courses, professional Swedish and workplace learning. The aim of this small explorative study was to get an impression of the participants’ views and understanding of the role of becoming a teacher in Swedish schools, realising the characteristics of pedagogy aimed for in the curriculum, specifically the interaction patterns and student participation in learning processes. Main research questions addressed participants’ expectations of differences and challenges in the Swedish school context as compared to their experiences in Syrian contexts. A combination was chosen of focus groups interviews with a small number of teachers and students on their views and experiences with pupils’ involvement in classroom communication as well as quantitative data gathering. The quantitative survey measured teachers’ acquisition and participation-oriented views on learning. Open-ended reflection on learning questions was also given to the students. Results showed significant development towards more participation-oriented beliefs on learning. Interview data and written statements reveal varied differences between the Swedish context and the participants’ experiences from schools in Syria.

Kariera zawodowa nauczycieli w warunkach przemian w systemie edukacji: zarys stanu badań

Przemiany ekonomiczne i społeczno-kulturowe generują na rynku pracy nowe wyzwania dla przedstawicieli wielu profesji, w tym dla nauczycieli. Poziom rozwoju gospodarczego, postęp technologiczny, stopa bezrobocia, sytuacja demograficzna czy modele życia społecznego odpowiadają za sposób myślenia człowieka o pracy, kreują warunki, w których przychodzi mu realizować swoje aspiracje zawodowe, co w dłuższej perspektywie czasowej ujawnia się w typach kariery. Jak wskazują studia literatury, jedne z największych zmian w dynamice i charakterze przebiegu zawodowych biografii obserwuje się w tych profesjach, których funkcjonowanie pozostaje w ścisłej zależności od zmian systemowych. W przypadku nauczycieli wynikają one przede wszystkim z rozporządzeń określających zasady ich awansu oraz z reform systemu edukacji. W rezultacie, z jednej strony przepisy szczegółowo regulują ścieżkę rozwoju zawodowego nauczycieli, a tym samym sprzyjają przyjmowaniu przez nich jednego sposobu realizacji kariery. Z drugiej strony reorganizacja sieci szkół, wdrażanie nowych planów i programów wynikających z reformy szkolnictwa wpływają na zmiany w zapotrzebowaniu na nauczycieli określonych przedmiotów szkolnych – w tym podstaw przedsiębiorczości – i wymuszają na nich konieczność przyjmowania różnorodnych strategii budowania kariery po to, aby utrzymać zatrudnienie. Celem autorki artykułu jest przedstawienie wyników badań literaturowych, dotyczących teorii konstruowania kariery oraz typów karier zawodowych nauczycieli, rozpatrywanych zarówno w ujęciu profesjonalizmu zawodowego, jak i w kontekście uwarunkowań edukacyjnego rynku pracy. Postawiony cel o charakterze przeglądowo-syntetycznym powoduje, że artykuł ma charakter teoretyczny, poddający dyskusji wyniki studiów literatury krajowej i zagranicznej na podjęty temat.

How does childhood socioeconomic position affect overweight and obesity in adolescence and early adulthood: a longitudinal study

BackgroundChildhood socioeconomic position (SEP) has previously been associated with increased risk of overweight among children and adolescents. However, it remains uncertain whether the timing of exposure is important in relation to developing overweight in early adulthood. We aimed to examine how SEP during early (0–8 years) and late childhood (9–14 years) relates to overweight at age 15, 18 and 21.MethodsLongitudinal study in Western Denmark of 2879 young people (aged 15 in 2004). Exposure variables from registers were yearly household income, parental highest educational level and parental labour market participation (LMP), supplemented with questionnaire information about “family functioning” (age 15). Outcome variables were overweight and obesity, measured at three-time points.We analyzed the adjusted associations between childhood SEP and overweight and obesity using multinomial logistic regression, stratified on gender.ResultsEarly childhood: Parental lower educational level increased girls’ risk of overweight and obesity at age 18 and 21 between RR = 1.8 (95% CI 1.0;3.4) and RR = 5.2 (95% CI 1.4;19.3). Girls reporting poor “family functioning” had up to twice the risk of overweight and obesity at age 21. Boys, whose fathers had a lower level of education had up to 2.4 times the risk of obesity at age 21. Parental low LMP increased boys’ risk of obesity at age 18 and 21 between RR = 2.2 (95% CI 1.3;3.8) and RR = 2.8 (95% CI 1.3;6.1). Late childhood: Parental lower level of education tripled the risk of overweight and obesity among girls at age 18 and among both genders at age 21.ConclusionThis study confirmed to some extent that economic, social and psychological insecurity and inequality as measured by lower parental educational level, lower household income, low labour market participation and poor family function during childhood was associated with an increased risk of overweight and especially obesity in adolescence and early adulthood in both genders. Despite some imprecise measures, the direction of the associations pointed to several associations, which all were in the hypothesized direction. Timing of lower household income and parental low LMP in childhood seemed to be gender-specific in some way, but this warrants more studies.

Education decisions and labour market outcomes

ABSTRACTThe financial return to a college degree is an increasing concern amid rising tuition costs and stagnant wages. Using the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:2002), I analyse the effect of post-secondary choices on wages for individuals entering the labour force between 2004 and 2012. Matching methods provide evidence of strong returns to earning a bachelor’s degree for both genders, similar to previous literature. Relative to high school graduates, women see wage benefits of 8–21% for some college attendance. However, men see negative effects of between 6%–13% from some college relative to high school graduates. The returns to a sub-baccalaureate degree as compared to earning some two-year credits is between 8%–25% for women and 8–14% for men. Further, the wage returns to a sub-baccalaureate degree as compared to earning some four-year credits is between 9%–17% for women and 9–20% for men. This translates into an additional $2,500-$4,700 per year for women and an additional $2,900-$6,400 per year for men. Since the average respondent with some four-year college experience has 2.3 years of earned post-secondary credits, shifting some into sub-baccalaureate programs may substantially decrease both the financial and time commitments of post-secondary education while increasing the returns after degree attainment.

Intergenerational income mobility: access to top jobs, the low-pay no-pay cycle and the role of education in a common framework

Studies of intergenerational mobility have typically focused on estimating the average persistence across generations. Here, we use the relatively new unconditional quantile regression technique to consider how intergenerational persistence varies across the distribution of sons’ earnings. We find a J-shaped relationship between parental income and sons’ earnings, with parental income a strong predictor of labour market success for those at the bottom, and to an even greater extent, the top of the earnings distribution. We explore the role early skills, education and early labour market attachment in shaping this pattern for the first time. Worryingly, we find that the association with childhood parental income dominating that of a high level of education at the top of the distribution of earnings. In this sense, education is not as meritocratic as we might hope, as those with the same detailed educational attainment still see a strong association between their earnings and their parental income. Early labour market spells out of work have lasting effects on those at the bottom, alongside parental income.

Alcohol consumption, educational level and labour market participation: A prospective cohort study of transitions between work and unemployment

Introduction In Europe alcohol consumption is high. Heavy drinking is associated with adverse consequences on multiple levels and the socioeconomic costs are substantial. Also, alcohol plays a considerable role in the production of health inequalities. Despite a relatively even distribution of the overall alcohol consumption across socioeconomic positions in Denmark, the adverse consequences cluster among people of lower socioeconomic positions; from 2005–2009, alcohol accounted for 15% of socioeconomic differences in mortality among men and 7% among women. The literature refers to this phenomenon as the harm paradox of alcohol. Few have considered the social consequences of alcohol consumption related to labour market participation. In this study, we aim to test the hypothesis that heavy alcohol consumption and problem drinking is associated with a higher risk of unemployment as well as a lower chance of returning to work and whether this effect differs on different educational levels. Methods A sample of 84,671 men and women aged 18–60 years from the Danish National Health Survey 2010 participated in the study. Alcohol consumption was measured by number of drinks per week and problem drinking was measured by six items from the CAGE-C questionnaire (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener - Copenhagen). The CAGE-C score was specified based on the number of positive answers and problem drinking was defined as 4–6 positive answers. Information on educational level and labour market participation was obtained from national administrative registers. Data were analysed by use of Cox proportional hazards models and adjusted for age, gender, cohabitation status, geographic location, comorbidity, smoking habits and labour market attachment. Results High weekly alcohol consumption and problem drinking (CAGE-C score of 4–6) were both associated with a higher risk of unemployment as well as a lower chance of returning to the labour market. For example, hazard ratios (HRs) of becoming unemployed and returning to work were 1.48 (95% CI: 1.37–1.60) and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.76–0.94) among individuals drinking 28+ drinks per week as compared to individuals drinking 1–6 drinks per week. Low educational level was associated with higher risks of unemployment and lower chances of returning to work compared to a high educational level. For example, the HR of becoming unemployed was 2.30 (95% CI: 2.20–2.40) among individuals with a low level of education in comparison to individuals with a high educational level. However, at all educational levels, heavy alcohol consumption and problem drinking was associated with a higher risk of unemployment and a lower chance of returning to work. Conclusions Heavy drinking and alcohol problems have adverse consequences on labour market participation and were associated with a higher risk of unemployment and a lower chance of becoming employed. This was consistently observed at all educational levels, which indicates that alcohol problems are of importance for labour market participation across all socioeconomic positions.

A phenomenological study of business graduates\u2019 employment experiences in the changing economy

This study explores the perspectives of business college graduates, how technology has shaped the structures of their jobs, and the role of non-technical skills as they navigate the changing career path. Three overlapping themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) influence of increased technology capabilities on job structures and careers; (2) participation in job-related training and formal education as means of adapting to the new work environment; and (3) the role of non-technical skills in the workplace amidst the intensification of technology change. This research provides higher education practitioners and labor market researchers qualitative perspectives on work structure changes.

Информационно-аналитическая система кадрового обеспечения экономики региона

The relevance of the work due to the fact that at the regional level was not sufficiently developed information-analytical system of interaction of labor markets and educational services as key elements of human resources in the economy. The article considers tendencies of development of the labour market and the vocational education system, the problems and conditions of their cooperation at the present stage. The author grouped the main elements of the information-analytical system of staffing of economy and analyzes how they are implemented in practice. The results of surveys of consumers of educational services market and labour market to assess the relevance of the Internet as a source of information are given. The necessity of the development of the Internet portal “Staffing of the regional economy” is justified, aimed at overcoming the informational deficit on the regional labour market through the provision of timely and accessible information on the balanced development of the labour market and the education system in a clear and user-friendly.

Early Smoking, Education, and Labor Market Performance

This study investigates the effects of early smoking on educational attainment and labor market performance by using mixed ordered and mixed proportional hazard models. The results show that early smoking adversely affects educational attainment and initial labor market performance, but only for males. The probability to finish a scientific degree is 4%-point lower for an early smoker. The effect of early smoking on initial labor market performance is indirect through educational attainment. Once the indirect effect is controlled for there is no direct effect. Moreover, for males only, early smoking has a negative effect on current labor market performance even after conditioning on educational attainment. The probability to have an academic job is 4%-point lower for an early smoker. For females neither education nor labor market performance is affected by early smoking.