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Dynasties in professions and the role of rents and regulation: Evidence from Italian pharmacies

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  • Mocetti, Sauro

Abstract

This paper provides causal evidence concerning the role of rents in explaining dynasties in professions. It focuses on the Italian pharmacist labor market, and exploits discontinuities (established by law) in the relationship between the number of pharmacies that should serve a city and the population. Using a regression discontinuity design, it shows that a reduction in rent, proxied by the pharmacy-to-population ratio, has a significant and negative impact on the propensity of pharmacists' children to follow their parents' career. In contrast, pharmacy rents do not affect the career choices of non-pharmacists' children, who face higher entry barriers (i.e. they do not inherit the family business). Further evidence shows that rents and lower exposure to competition are associated with stronger family ties also among other professions and within firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Mocetti, Sauro, 2016. "Dynasties in professions and the role of rents and regulation: Evidence from Italian pharmacies," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 1-10.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:133:y:2016:i:c:p:1-10
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2015.11.001
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    6. Sauro Mocetti & Giacomo Roma & Enrico Rubolino, 2022. "Knocking on Parents’ Doors: Regulation and Intergenerational Mobility," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 57(2), pages 525-554.
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    8. Arenas, Andreu & Malgouyres, Clément, 2018. "Countercyclical school attainment and intergenerational mobility," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 97-111.
    9. Stéphane Benveniste, 2024. "Political and Business Dynasties: a Social Gradient in Returns to Elite Education," AMSE Working Papers 2410, Aix-Marseille School of Economics, France.
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    13. Guglielmo Barone & Sauro Mocetti, 2021. "Intergenerational Mobility in the Very Long Run: Florence 1427–2011 [Intergenerational Economic Mobility in the United States, 1940 to 2000]," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 88(4), pages 1863-1891.
    14. David de la Croix & Marc Goñi, 2024. "Nepotism vs. intergenerational transmission of human capital in Academia (1088–1800)," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 29(4), pages 469-514, December.
    15. Giuseppe Rose & Francesco Mazzulla, 2023. "Relaxing Occupational Licensing In Italy: A Staggered Difference In Differences Analysis Using Balance-Sheet Data Of Italian Pharmacies," Working Papers 202302, Università della Calabria, Dipartimento di Economia, Statistica e Finanza "Giovanni Anania" - DESF.
    16. Loschiavo, David, 2021. "Big-city life (dis)satisfaction? The effect of urban living on subjective well-being," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 740-764.
    17. Gaetano Basso & Eleonora Brandimarti & Michele Pellizzari & Giovanni Pica, 2021. "Quality and Selection in Regulated Professions," Development Working Papers 467, Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano, University of Milano.
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    21. Rostam-Afschar Davud, 2020. "Inklusive Beschäftigungspolitik: Fakten, Herausforderungen und neue Ideen zur Regulierung von Berufen," Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftspolitik, De Gruyter, vol. 69(2), pages 129-139, August.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Intergenerational mobility; Professions; Regulation; Rents; Regression discontinuity design;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations

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