Three essays on Colombian labor market

Diaz Escobar, Ana Maria
(2011)

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Authors
  • Diaz Escobar, Ana MariaUCLouvain
    author
Supervisors
Cockx , Bart
Abstract
(en) This dissertation provides a contribution to the understanding of urban Colombian labor market substantiating on three main pillars: job search channels, human capital, and geography. The first two chapters are introductory in nature. Chapter 1 provides context and motivation for the rest of the thesis, and Chapter 2 contains a detailed presentation of the institutional framework within which Colombian labor market operates. Chapter 3 explores whether the use of informal referrals on the job search process affects labor market outcomes (i.e., the probability of being employed and wages) of Colombian urban workers. Results suggest that informal referrals are slightly more successful than other job search strategies in terms of job seekers’ placement. However, referred workers earn in average less than their non-referred counterparts. Yet, this is only true in formal-sector firms. Chapter 4 evaluates whether education carries social effects on local employment rates using census data for 1993 and 2005. Different econometric specifications are used to shed some light on the external effects of education on municipal employment and its causes. Results indicate that an increase the supply of individuals with higher education raises the local employment rate above individual “private returns” due to human capital externalities and production complementarities. Finally, Chapter 5 explores the spatial patterns of urban unemployment rates in Colombia. This analysis uses a spatial Durbin model to explore the influence of various factors in determining differences in municipal unemployment rates. Results suggest that differences in labor demand, immigration rates, and urbanization are factors behind observed municipal unemployment disparities.
Affiliations
  • Institution iconUCLouvainECGE - Sciences économiques et de gestion

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Diaz Escobar, A. M. (2011). Three essays on Colombian labor market. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/70254