Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/21062 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2000
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 216
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Several firm-related aspects of employee productivity are analyzed using GSOEP data. The basic premise is that, as a consequence of frustration, overeducated employees are less productive than their correctly allocated colleagues. However, the results obtained in the present study contradict the few available empirical findings, all of which are based on data from the United States. When comparing employees working in jobs with similar levels of requirements (the sole approach which seems to be useful), overqualified employees are found to be healthier, more strongly work- and career-minded, more likely to participate in on-the-job training, and to have longer periods of tenure with the same firm than their correctly allocated colleagues. No significant differences could be determined with respect to job satisfaction. These findings are consistent with the established fact that overeducated workers receive wage premiums for their surplus schooling. The overall results make the hiring of overqualified applicants understandable, and could explain the employers? motivation to accept persistent overeducation in the labor force.
Subjects: 
Overeducation
productivity
labor demand
job satisfaction
work- and careerorientation
health
on-the-job training
firm tenure
JEL: 
J28
J63
J21
J24
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
133.87 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.