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Opening the black-box of graduates' horizontal skills

Diverging labour market outcomes in Italy

Bibliographic Data

ID4098677
AuthorsLuca Cattani (0000-0001-9171-6394, University of Bologna), Giulio Pedrini (0000-0002-4972-171X, Università degli Studi di Enna Kore, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume46
Issue11
Pages2387-2404
Publication date2021-11-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueStudies in Higher Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0307-5079 • E-ISSN: 1470-174X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03075079.2020.1723527
OpenAlexW3005023945
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited41

This paper assesses labour market outcomes associated with the acquisition of different graduate competences in the Italian labour markets particularly focusing on ‘soft skills’ developed during HE programs. By using a classification of graduate jobs that distinguishes between different horizontal skills, namley managerial and communication skills, the paper conducts an empirical analysis of the benefits of being employed in such occupations having completed a degree program. These benefits are assessed across time, referring to the period following the crisis and to most recent available data. Results show that only ‘communication’ skills provide higher benefits than discipline-related skills. Moreover, the higher education system seems not to provide higher education graduates with distinctive ‘managerial’ competences compared to non-graduate workers suggesting that these types of social skills can be developed through alternative learning paths, such as work-based experience or other extra-curricular activities

Black box · Business · Demographic economics · Economic growth · Economics · Higher education · Labour economics · Management · Medical education · Skills management · Soft skills · Computer Science · Engineering · Higher Education and Employability · Higher Education Governance and Development · Labor market dynamics and wage inequality · Psychology · Marketing

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Unique citing works8
Citations per year1,33
Citation span2020 - 2026 (7)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 8
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