Abstract

The research project aims at an empirical application of models of social interactions to the patterns and determinants of human capital formation, the transition from school to work and career dynamics in Germany. Clearly, these three aspects are intimately related. Human capital acquired in formal curricula as (post-) secondary schooling or vocational training plays a dominant role for individual labor market performance. Furthermore, informally acquired skills like labor market experience and firm-specific human capital tend to be important for career success and thus the sustainability of employment. Hence, it is necessary to pursue an integrative approach which investigates the interdependencies of these processes. Furthermore, several cross-country comparisons in the literature highlight the importance of institutional features for the transition from training to employment which have to be taken into account as well. And finally, the relative importance of the environment in which an individual is raised or currently lives will be central interest.