“Occupational Specialization, Job Mobility, and Transition to Self-Employment”
by Görkem Aksaray
Emory University – Organization & Management
Abstract:
Some occupations are prevalent across a wider range of industries than others. This paper compares how occupational specialization by industry affects the mobility of workers within and across industries. Empirical results suggest that occupational specialization increases the probability of finding a job in the same industry while hurting chances of changing industries after involuntary termination. However, it increases the probability of voluntarily transitioning to self-employment in another industry. These findings provide support for self-employment as a mechanism for overcoming structural barriers to inter-industry mobility.
