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Buser, Thomas (2026): Too Competitive to Care? The Overall Explanatory Power of Personality for Occupational Gender Segregation. (IZA discussion paper / IZA Network @ LISER 18721), Bonn: IZA Network @ LISER, 35 S.

Abstract

"A large literature in behavioral and labor economics documents gender differences in personality traits and preferences, as well as their explanatory power for gender gaps in occupational choice and career success. These studies usually focus on a single trait or personality classification, such as competitiveness, risk preferences, or the Big Five personality inventory. In this paper, I instead ask how much of gender differences in occupational sorting can be statistically explained by a comprehensive range of trait and preference measures jointly. I combine detailed personality and preference indicators elicited in a representative Dutch survey panel and link them to career outcomes for which large gender gaps are observed: the underrepresentation of women in management and math-intensive occupations, and the underrepresentation of men in teaching and caring occupations and the public sector. Correcting for measurement error, differences in preferences and personality can statistically explain a large part - typically half or more - of gender differences in occupational sorting. Traits with a "dark" side - such as willingness to playdirty, externalizing behavior or psychopathy - capture a surprisingly large share of these gaps." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Chowdhury, Subhasish M. & Noemi Peter (2026): Experiments on Gender and Competition in the Field: A Review. (Sheffield economic research paper series / The University of Sheffield, Department of Economics 2026005), Sheffield, 33 S.

Abstract

"This review synthesizes evidence from field and lab-in-the-field experiments on gender and competition (including artefactual, framed, and natural field experiments). We first document how the gender gap in willingness to compete varies with cultural, demographic, and task-related factors, highlighting substantial heterogeneity across societies, age groups, and forms of competition. We then review evidence linking competitiveness to educational and labor market outcomes and find that experimental measures of competitiveness are significant predictors of study and career choices and that competitive incentives have causal effects on job entry behavior. Next, we examine a set of interventions, such as information provision, role models, training and mentoring, institutional design, and affirmative action policies that aim to mitigate gender gaps in field settings. Overall, the literature suggests that social and institutional environments can both generate and mitigate gender differences in willingness to compete. We conclude by highlighting avenues for future research." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Danner, Katharina, Michael Duncan, Jörg Flecker, Paul Malschinger & Veronika Wöhrer (Hrsg.) (2026): Lebenswege junger Menschen in Wien. Analysen zu Berufswahl, Engagement und Wohlbefinden. Göttingen: V&R unipress, 278 S.

Abstract

"Das Forschungsprojekt »Wege in die Zukunft« untersuchte über einen Zeitraum von fünf Jahren die Bildungs- und Lebensverläufe von Wiener Mittelschul-Absolvent:innen. Nach nur vier Jahren gemeinsamer Primarstufe unterscheidet das österreichische Schulsystem zwischen Mittelschule und gymnasialer Unterstufe. Besonders in urbanen Räumen sieht sich die Mittelschule häufig mit geringerer gesellschaftlicher Anerkennung konfrontiert. Neben Analysen zu den Lebenswegen und -entscheidungen der Jugendlichen selbst stellte das Projekt daher auch die Frage nach der Relevanz sozialer Ungleichheit in ihren Lebensrealitäten. Die Beiträger:innen dieses dritten Projektbandes greifen diese Fragestellungen aus den Perspektiven der Bildungswissenschaft und der Soziologie auf und bedienen sich dabei sowohl qualitativer als auch quantitativer Forschungsmethoden." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku, © V&R unipress)

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Goller, Daniel, Enzo Brox & Stefan C. Wolter (2026): Imperfect Self-knowledge about Skills and Skill Mismatch. (Working paper / Swiss Leading House 253), Zürich, 40 S., App.

Abstract

"Why do young people sort into poorly fitting occupations? This paper shows that imperfect self-knowledge about skills is an important source of skill mismatch at labor market entry. We use unique data from standardized professional aptitude tests linked to administrative records on educational trajectories and early labor market outcomes in Switzerland. The data allow us to observe objective skills and subjective skill beliefs for many productivity-relevant skills in a high-stakes setting. We document large differences among individuals in how well their beliefs align with their skills. Imperfect self-knowledge predicts misaligned occupational aspirations, higher realized skill mismatch, and a higher probability of dropout. Guided by a Roy-style model of occupational choice with imperfect self-knowledge, we interpret these findings as evidence that distorted self-assessments at the school-to-work transition contribute to the misallocation of talent." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Hell, Benedikt, Christof Nägele, Katja Päßler & Nicole Hänni (2026): Mehr als nur RIASEC? Eine qualitative Analyse freier Äußerungen beruflicher Interessen Jugendlicher. In: Zeitschrift für Berufs- und Wirtschaftspädagogik, Jg. 122, H. 1, S. 37-62. DOI:10.25162/zbw-2026-0002

Abstract

"Berufliche Interessen sind zentrale Prädiktoren der Berufswahl. In der Beratungspraxis dominieren geschlossene Testverfahren auf Basis des RIASEC-Modells, die jedoch die individuelle Interessenvielfalt und den rezenten Strukturwandel der Arbeitswelt potenziell nur begrenzt abbilden. Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht anhand zweier Stichproben (N1 = 2.786, MAlter = 15,6 Jahre; N2 = 799, MAlter = 13,6) offene Interessenäußerungen Jugendlicher. Die qualitative Analyse zeigt, dass das RIASEC-Modell die geäußerten Interessen nicht vollständig abdeckt. Es wurden sechs komplementäre Inhaltsbereiche identifiziert: Kommunikation, Natur/ Umwelt, Gastgewerbe, Finanzen, Sport sowie computerbezogene Interessen. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Notwendigkeit, bestehende Interessenmodelle weiterzuentwickeln und zu differenzieren, um der Komplexität moderner Erwerbsbiografien gerecht zu werden." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Nieuwenhuis, Aukje & Agnieszka Postepska (2026): Daughters like mothers? New evidence of inter-generational transmission of labor market stereotypical behavior. In: Journal of Population Economics, Jg. 39, H. 3. DOI:10.1007/s00148-026-01185-9

Abstract

"Recent literature provides evidence of inter-generational correlation regarding gender-stereotypical behavior in the labor market. There are two potential explanations for this pattern: selection and causality. Relying on identification through second moments, we reveal a striking result among female adolescents in Germany and Australia. The apparent positive correlation between mothers and daughters is entirely driven by selection, suggesting that sticky gender norms are responsible for persistent gender segregation in the labor market. Most surprisingly, we find that causality operates in the opposite direction, suggesting that the mother holding a non-stereotypical job may have an ambiguous effect on the daughter’s occupational choice. Our findings have important implications for policymakers and identify new directions for future research. We highlight the need to investigate the mechanisms of transmission further to design policies that are successful at closing the remaining gaps. Our findings also suggest that policies designed to foster balanced gender compositions may fall short of achieving the desired inter-generational spillovers unless fundamental shifts in underlying gender norms occur." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Parsons, Sam & Lucinda Platt (2026): Do occupational aspirations of children help to explain ethnic differences in labour market outcomes? In: Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, S. 1-21. DOI:10.1080/1369183x.2026.2616224

Abstract

"Across the UK’s ethnic groups there is substantial variation in labour market outcomes, driven in part by differences in occupational concentration. Yet we lack insight into whether these outcomes may be shaped, in part, by differences in preferences deriving from grouplevel cultural socialization. We shed light on this question using the nationally representative Millennium Cohort Study. We study the occupational aspirations of girls and boys prior to school completion, matching these aspirations to job characteristics drawn from the Labour Force Survey across the two dimensions of value and gender-typicality. We estimate growth curve models tracking the value and gender-typicality of the aspired job from early childhood into adolescence, and test how far trajectories are consistent with theoretical expectations about the influence of group-level characteristics. We find that differences between ethnic groups are small; but those that exist do not support the contention that preferences are shaped by cultural socialization in the ways theorised. Minority girls aspire to higher-paid occupations than their majority counterparts, and this the case for those both from more and from less traditional and disadvantaged communities. We conclude there is a need to revisit cultural accounts of labour market outcomes among the children of immigrants." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Schüle, Paul (2026): Career preferences and socio-economic background. In: Labour Economics, Jg. 98. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2025.102814

Abstract

"Career decisions, that is educational and occupational choice, are not only taken by comparing expected incomes, but also by considering non-monetary rewards such as social impact, chances of promotion, or the compatibility of work and family. In this paper, I use rich panel data from Germany and the UK to demonstrate that preferences about such aspects of a career as stated at age 17 are strong predictors of future earnings in the labor market. At the same time, these preferences differ significantly by gender and socio-economic background, and intergenerational income persistence is reduced by 7 to 28 percent when accounting for career preferences." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2025 ElsevierB.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.) ((en))

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Solomon, Samuel M. (2026): Gender-Specific Occupational Following and Gender Differences in Occupational Choice. In: AEA papers and proceedings, Jg. 116, S. 236-240. DOI:10.1257/pandp.20261001

Abstract

"This paper uses administrative data to show that occupational following—when children enter their parent’s occupation—varies significantly by the gender of the parent and the child. While children are disproportionately likely to choose an occupation if it is held by either parent, they are more likely to choose the occupation held by their same-sex parent, throughout the income distribution. Sons are more likely to enter their father’s occupation in female-dominated occupations, and daughters are more likely to enter their mother’s occupation in male-dominated occupations. Last, gender-specific occupational following is a key driver behind overall gender differences in occupational choice." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Tanhua, Inkeri (2026): Racialised discourses on migrants and language skills in Finnish vocational education. In: Journal of vocational education and training, Jg. 78, H. 3, S. 431-448. DOI:10.1080/13636820.2025.2543591

Abstract

"This article examines how discourses on migrants, language skills, and the suitability of educational and vocational paths can racialize the students perceived as migrants in Finnish vocational education and training (VET). The study draws on observations and interviews with students and teachers on two differently gender-typed programs, women-dominated dental technology and men-dominated mechanical engineering. In both programmes, most students have moved to Finland and started learning Finnish a few years before entering vocational education. Drawing on critical race theory and critical discourse analysis, the article identifies four discourses that racialize the students perceived as migrants. The discourse on VET as ‘a realistic choice for migrants lacking language skills’ in dental technology and the idealization of ‘hard-working migrants’ in mechanical engineering encourage migrants’ entry to these programs, but simultaneously racialise them. The discourse on ‘sufficient Finnish skills’ in mechanical engineering encourages, while the discourse on ‘high level of language proficiency’ in dental technology discourages migrants’ entry to the profession, and demonstrates that racism can be hidden behind the talk on language skills. Together, these discourses show that the processes of racialisation are mundane in VET and can direct people’s educational and occupational paths." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Deneault, Christa (2025): Local Labor Markets and Selection into the Teaching Profession. In: The Journal of Human Resources, S. 1-45. DOI:10.3368/jhr.0424-13535r2

Abstract

"Using administrative data from Texas, I track individuals from high school through college to the workforce to determine the effects of local labor markets on occupational choice. I find local labor market conditions are countercyclical with selection into teaching. Individuals sorting into teaching because of poor local labor market conditions are of higher ability (standardized tests) and have higher productivity (value-added). The findings suggest local labor market fluctuations shape career decisions well before individuals participate in the labor market, and increasing the relative economic standing of teaching as a career has the potential to improve the future supply of teachers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System) ((en))

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Goller, Daniel, Christian Gschwendt & Stefan C. Wolter (2025): This time it’s different – Generative artificial intelligence and occupational choice. In: Labour Economics, Jg. 95. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2025.102746

Abstract

"We show the causal influence of the launch of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the form of ChatGPT on the search behavior of young people for apprenticeship vacancies. To estimate the short- and medium-term effects, we use a variety of methods, including a difference-in-discontinuity approach exploiting the exogenous nature of the unanticipated launch of ChatGPT in 2022. There is a strong short- and medium-term decline in the intensity of searches for vacancies, indicating a notable reduction in the supply of young people actively seeking apprenticeships and suggesting great uncertainty among the affected cohort. Occupations with a high proportion of cognitive tasks and with high demands on language skills were particularly affected by the decline. Interestingly, the revealed preferences in the search behavior of young job seekers contrasted with previous expert assessments on the automation risks of occupations and aligned with the most recent assessments of the AI and language model exposure of occupations – before these new assessments existed. Notably, while the supply decline did not reduce the number of signed apprenticeship contracts, we find evidence of declining applicant quality, particularly for commercial employees, the most widely offered apprenticeship in Switzerland." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.) ((en))

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Gottlieb, Charles, Jan Grobovsek & Alexander Monge-Naranjo (2025): From Skills to Occupations: Comparative Advantage and Cross-Country Income Differences. (Working papers / Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta 2025,11), Atlanta, Ga., 44 S. DOI:10.29338/wp2025-11

Abstract

"We revisit the role of human capital in cross-country income differences. We develop a general equilibrium model where workers of different skill groups sort into occupations by comparative advantage. Wages and employment depend on workers' skill quality, occupation-specific country-embedded productivity, and occupational distortions. Using harmonized microdata for 50 countries, we infer these components from the model's equilibrium conditions. Workers in rich countries exhibit higher skill quality and substantially greater productivity, especially in white-collar occupations. Human capital explains 52 percent of output-per-worker gaps, largely through the complementarity between skill composition and quality, and further amplified by technology choices biased toward skilled labor. Adopting the US distribution of skill groups yields limited gains for poor countries without higher quality. Occupational distortions are more severe in low-income countries, reducing white-collar employment and raising wage premia, but with modest aggregate effects." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Gottlieb, Charles, Jan Grobovšek & Alexander Monge-Naranjo (2025): From Skills to Occupations: Comparative Advantage and Cross-Country Income Differences. (CEPR discussion paper / Centre for Economic Policy Research 20630), London, 74 S.

Abstract

"We revisit the role of human capital in cross-country income differences. We develop a general equilibrium model where workers of different skill groups sort into occupations by comparative advantage. Wages and employment depend on workers’ skill quality, occupation-specific country-embedded productivity, and occupational distortions. Using harmonized microdata for 50 countries, we infer these components from the model’s equilibrium conditions. Workers in rich countries exhibit higher skill quality and substantially greater productivity, especially in white-collar occupations. Human capital explains 52 percent of output-per-worker gaps, largely through the complementarity between skill composition and quality, and further amplified by technology choices biased toward skilled labor. Adopting the U.S. distribution of skill groups yields limited gains for poor countries without higher quality. Occupational distortions are more severe in low-income countries, reducing white-collar employment and raising wage premia, but with modest aggregate effects." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Gutfleisch, Tamara & Richard Nennstiel (2025): Bridging the gap: gender-specific preferences in STEM occupations in vocational education and training. In: Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training, Jg. 17. DOI:10.1186/s40461-025-00187-3

Abstract

"Women’s underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has been widely studied, particularly in the context of general and tertiary education. However, less is known about gendered STEM sorting within vocational education and training (VET), despite VET systems playing a key role in occupational gender segregation. This study investigates gender differences in the likelihood of choosing a STEM occupation in VET using nationally representative data from Switzerland. We examine to what extent commonly studied individual-level mechanisms—such as math achievement, math self-concept, and career values—can explain the gender gap in STEM participation. To assess whether these mechanisms operate similarly across educational pathways and outcome types, we compare students pursuing or intending to pursue VET to those aspiring to an academic degree, and examine three STEM-related outcomes: intended VET occupation, aspirations for a STEM job at age 30, and intentions to pursue a math-intensive job. We find that the gender gap in STEM participation is largest in VET occupations and considerably smaller for the other two outcomes. Moreover, a larger share of the gender gap can be explained regarding occupational aspirations as opposed to VET occupations, and among students aspiring to academic education. These findings suggest that theoretical models of STEM sorting should be adapted to better reflect the specific features of VET and the types of occupations it comprises." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Lundberg, Ian, Daniel Molitor & Jennie E. Brand (2025): The Causal Effect of Parent Occupation on Child Occupation: A Multivalued Treatment with Positivity Constraints. In: Sociological methods & research, Jg. 54, H. 4, S. 1435-1462. DOI:10.1177/00491241251338412

Abstract

"To what degree does parent occupation cause a child’s occupational attainment? We articulate this causal question in the potential outcomes framework. Empirically, we show that adjustment for only two confounding variables substantially reduces the estimated association between parent and child occupation in a U.S. cohort. Methodologically, we highlight complications that arise when the treatment variable (parent occupation) can take many categorical values. A central methodological hurdle is positivity: some occupations (e.g., lawyer) are simply never held by some parents (e.g., those who did not complete college). We show how to overcome this hurdle by reporting summaries within subgroups that focus attention on the causal quantities that can be credibly estimated. Future research should build on the longstanding tradition of descriptive mobility research to answer causal questions." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Mann, Anthony, Jonathan Diaz & Sara Zapata Posada (2025): Career readiness in Madrid, Spain. Insights from a survey of young adults (19-26). (OECD education working papers 331), Paris, 230 S. DOI:10.1787/73cdc17d-en

Abstract

"This paper reports the results of a survey of young adults aged 19-26 who were educated in the Community of Madrid, Spain. The study asks users of career guidance systems within secondary education to share perspectives on their usefulness from the vantage point of the labour market participation. The study finds that overwhelmingly respondents who participated in career development activities as teenagers found them to be useful to their post-secondary transitions with many stating that they were very useful. They wished however that they had received more support from their schools, especially with regard to practical activities related to integration into the working world. Analysis finds many strong relationships between participation in career development and the quality of transitions. It is less likely for young adults who engaged more deeply in career development as teenagers to report that they were Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) at the time of the survey and they expressed more positive attitudes about their transitions and the value of the support received from their schools." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Quintana, Rafael, Soojin Park & Suyeon Kang (2025): Causal decomposition analysis in disparities research: investigating the effect of self-efficacy on the gender gap in STEM. In: Quality & quantity, Jg. 59, H. 4, S. 3327-3351. DOI:10.1007/s11135-025-02110-0

Abstract

"The underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields has been a subject of extensive research and policy debate. However, there is limited clarity regarding the specific mechanisms that generate these disparities, and which interventions are most effective in reducing the gap. In this study, we use causal decomposition analysis to estimate how the gender gap in STEM participation would change if we were to intervene on women’s self-efficacy beliefs in mathematics. Women tend to underestimate their abilities in math-related fields, which can affect their educational and career choices. The question we ask is to what extent the gender gap in individuals’ enrollment in STEM majors and identification with mathematics would be reduced if self-efficacy in mathematics were set to be equal across gender categories. The results suggest that equalizing this target factor will reduce the observed disparities in math identity by 53%, and in the enrollment of STEM majors by 2.5%. The modest influence of self-efficacy on enrollment disparities suggests that it is not the predominant factor. We discuss the implications of our empirical findings, as well as how causal decomposition analysis can benefit social and behavioral disparities research." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

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Rolph, Chris, Samuel Williams & David Woolley (2025): A qualitative investigation into opportunity structures and disjuncture in the education-employment transition: ‘it’s scary, innit?’. In: Journal of education and work, Jg. 37, H. 7/8, S. 582-597. DOI:10.1080/13639080.2025.2487425

Abstract

"We present a small-scale qualitative study of the transition from full time education to employment, focusing on young people who are just approaching this phase of their lives. We explore their understanding of this milestone through a series of focus groups. We also interviewed significant professionals working with young people: school teachers, careers leaders, and local employers. From the responses we identify four common themes: hopes and dreams; careers advice; industry links; and work readiness. While these themes were common to all of our participant groups, the articulation and understanding of them differed, such that adult views contribute to social structures that potentially reduce opportunity, reinforcing the sense of disjuncture for young people. Adult respondents underestimated the aspirations of young people and mistook expectations for ambitions. Both employers and those working in schools recognised a need for improved education-industry links, but there was a mutual sense of incapacity to make this happen, and different understandings of what it might mean to be work ready. Systemic failings appear to exacerbate difficulties faced by children whose families might struggle to support them as they navigate the education to employment transition." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Abstract

"This report sets out key findings from PISA as they relate to teenage career development. The report shows that across OECD countries, students are now expressing very high levels of career uncertainty and confusion. Job expectations have changed little since 2000 and bear little relationship to actual patterns of labour market demand, including in working areas of high strategic importance. The education plans of students moreover are more strongly shaped by social background than by academic performance. Many students understandably exhibit considerable anxiety about their career preparation. Wider longitudinal research shows that participation in many career development activities is positively associated with better employment outcomes. However, PISA shows that too few students in most countries are engaging in activities which are most strongly related with better transitions. In particular, young people are not getting enough guidance in crucial fields which connect them with employers and people in work." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))