AN ANALYSIS OF LABOR FORCE EXPERIENCE AND MARKET WORK COMMITMENT OF WOMEN INTERESTED IN MANAGEMENT TRAINING
Abstract
Do commonly used measures of acquired skills, work commitment and job aspirations accurately reflect the labor force experience and intentions of women? To examine this question, a microeconomic analysis of the labor market for women is used to derive a wage equation, which emphasizes the information available to employers. Consistent with neoclassical economic theory, differences in wages are predicted as a function of worker characteristics associated with productivity and tenure. The sample is drawn from 401 respondents to a survey received by 800 women interested in management training programs held at Purdue University. In addition to traditional measures, the data include new, independent, detailed questions on labor force activities, work commitment and future work plans. The analysis consists of comparisons of broad measures and direct responses of women to questions regarding previous work experience and future job aspirations. To estimate marginal effects of the two sets of productivity variables on the wages paid to women, a wage equation is submitted to ordinary least squares regression. Results indicate that education and experience are good indicators of women's future job plans. Broad measures, such as marital status and children are poor predictors of the job aspirations of female workers. There is a very limited association between wages and detailed measures of productivity and market work commitment. Finally, an advanced degree is a significant determinant of the wages of women with low tenure in the current position but not for those with high tenure. Years of schooling and experience is significant for workers with high tenure.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Economics
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