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The impact of educational mismatch on firm productivity: Evidence from linked panel data

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  • Kampelmann, Stephan
  • Rycx, François

Abstract

We provide first evidence regarding the direct impact of educational mismatch on firm productivity. To do so, we rely on representative linked employer–employee panel data for Belgium covering the period 1999–2006. Controlling for simultaneity issues, time-invariant unobserved workplace characteristics, cohort effects and dynamics in the adjustment process of productivity, we find that: (i) a higher level of required education exerts a significantly positive influence on firm productivity, (ii) additional years of over-education (both among young and older workers) are beneficial for firm productivity, and (iii) additional years of under-education (among young workers) are detrimental for firm productivity.

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  • Kampelmann, Stephan & Rycx, François, 2012. "The impact of educational mismatch on firm productivity: Evidence from linked panel data," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(6), pages 918-931.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:31:y:2012:i:6:p:918-931
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2012.07.003
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Educational mismatch; Productivity; Linked panel data; GMM;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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