Analysis of career paths: individual decisions, networks, social, economic and labour market consequences

2020.09.01 - 2024.08.31

Leader: Kiss Károly Miklós

Research focus

Project number: K135195

In our research, we examine the career paths of employees.
In a first approach, the career paths of individuals are examined using network analysis method. Stages of individual career paths, the completion of an education and jobs, are considered as vertices of the network, and the transition between them is a link. In this novel approach, networks of intertwined career paths and their stages can be analyzed using graph theory methods: we can examine patterns, similarities and heterogeneities of these career paths. We examine the role and matching of each stage of the career paths (trainings, occupations, jobs) and their impact on wages, employment opportunities and performance.
Decisions on school-to-work and job-to-job transitions have major economic and social consequences. They affect the performance and income of employees and employers, and the labor market processes. However, we know little about who, why and where are moved. For a better understanding, we analyze the factors that play a role in transition decisions, such as career aspects (higher salary, promotion), organizational features of the company, or regional services that provide better living conditions.
However, individual career decisions are not independent of each other. Workers flowing between educational institutions and workplaces make a connection between them, who can signal potential future candidates. These relationships can have an impact on inequalities in society, such as differences between regions or within regions, or even gender inequalities.

Researchers: Keller, Tamás, Köllő János, Lengyel Balázs, Lőrincz László, Ilyés, Virág, Tóth, Gergő, Varga, Kinga