Job-worker mismatch and cognitive decline

Abstract

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Work-Related Learning and Skill Development in Europe: Does Initial Skill Mismatch Matter?

“…Conversely, overskilled employees are more likely to experience skill worsening (by 1.5 percentage points) and stagnation (by 4.4 percentage points) than well-matched employees, confirming the evidence on skill depreciation shown by De Grip et al (2008).…”

“…Building on the 'use it or lose it' hypothesis or the 'atrophy' of a worker's skills by non-use, this literature has shown that overqualified workers who are unable to fully utilise their skills in their job are less able to sustain their cognitive level and are, therefore, more vulnerable to experience skill decline (e.g. De Grip & van Loo, 2002;De Grip et al, 2008).…”

Overeducation at the start of the career: Stepping stone or trap?

“…19 The entrapment effect might not decrease over time as a consequence of investments in specific human capital (Pissarides, 1994), cognitive decline (de Grip et al, 2008), or habituation (Verhaest and Omey, 2009). …”

“…The first factor (t-t 0 ) aims at capturing a gradually decreasing locking-in effect and/or steadily growing investment effect. Locking-in may reflect investment in specific human capital (Pissarides, 1994), cognitive decline (Grip et al, 2008), habituation (Verhaest and Omey, 2009) or reduced job-search effort on-the-job. The investment effect reflects the gradually increasing promotion opportunities with work experience, as described in the career mobility theory (Sicherman and Galor, 1990).…”

“…Further, the sources underlying unemployment scarring may equally apply to overeducation. According to McCormick (1990), overeducation even acts as a stronger negative signal to employers than unemployment and de Grip et al (2008) show that overeducation also results in cognitive decline. Moreover, Verhaest and Omey (2009) find that the negative association between overeducation and job satisfaction declines over time, suggesting some habituation.…”