Stuck at a crossroads? The duration of the Italian school-to-work transition
International Journal of Manpower
ISSN: 0143-7720
Article publication date: 4 September 2020
Issue publication date: 19 May 2021
Abstract
Purpose
There is a long period from completing studies to finding a permanent or temporary (but at least satisfactory) job in all European countries, especially in Mediterranean countries, including Italy. This paper aims to study the determinants of this duration and measure them, for the first time in a systematic way, in the case of Italy.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper provides several measures of duration, including education level and other criteria. Furthermore, it attempts to identify the main determinants of the long Italian transition, both at a macroeconomic and an individual level. It tests for omitted heterogeneity of those who are stuck at this important crossroads in their life within the context of parametric survival models.
Findings
The average duration of the school-to-work transition for young people aged 18–34 years was 2.88 years (or 34.56 months) in 2017. A shorter duration was found for the highly educated; they found a job on average 46 months earlier than those with compulsory education. At a macroeconomic level, the duration over the years 2004–2017 was inversely related to spending in the labour market policy and in education, gross domestic product growth and the degree of trade union density; however, it was directly related to the proportion of temporary contracts. At the individual level, being a woman, a migrant or living in a densely populated area in the South are the risk factors for remaining stuck in the transition. After correcting for omitted heterogeneity, there is clear evidence of positive duration dependence.
Practical implications
Positive duration dependence suggests that focusing on education and labour policy, rather than labour flexibility, is the best way to smooth the transition.
Originality/value
This study develops our understanding of the Italian school-to-work transition regime by providing new and detailed evidence of its duration and by studying its determinants.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the Editor in Chief, Prof. Adrian Ziderman, and two anonymous referees for their comments that helped us to much improve this paper. However, the responsibility for any remaining errors remains only of the authors.
Citation
Pastore, F., Quintano, C. and Rocca, A. (2021), "Stuck at a crossroads? The duration of the Italian school-to-work transition", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 42 No. 3, pp. 442-469. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-05-2020-0199
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited