Spatial Flexibility in Job Mobility: Macrolevel Opportunities and Microlevel Restrictions

Abstract

Disequilibria among regional labour markets persist through spatial inflexibility in job mobility resulting from restrictions in migration and long-distance commuting. This contribution analyses workplace mobility—the acceptance of a job at a great distance from the place of residence—using a direct measure which includes both migration and long commutes as means for covering this distance. Two sources of spatial inflexibility are identified. The first is a low overall chance of general job mobility; the second is a limited search area leading to low workplace mobility. In a two-step analysis we show that workers who find another job are a highly selective group. Within this group the variation in accepting a job at a great distance is wide, because of the individual restrictions that are often gendered. We also show that ample availability of job opportunities stimulates general job mobility and reduces workplace mobility, but only after controlling for individual restrictions. These findings are in line with the spatial mismatch hypothesis.

Modelling Multilevel Variations in Distance Moved between Origins and Destinations in England and Wales

“…For example, the average distance moved is often found to increase in a linear manner with levels of educational attainment and household income (Fielding, 2012). Individuals with higher educational attainment and associated occupations are known to search over far wider labour markets and have greater spatial flexibility associated with, and driven by, career progression (van Ham et al, 2001). This compares to those in the more routine and manual occupations, who are generally more spatially tied to certain locales and local labour markets (Fielding, 2012).…”

Symmetry and Asymmetry in Working and Commuting Arrangements between Partners in the Netherlands: Does the Residential Context Matter?

“…England (1993) for instance, has shown that commuting times for women in suburban areas largely vary and for various reasons. The dual earner strategy hypothesis suggests that dual earners choose strategic suburban residential locations in between larger cities because these are the locations with the highest job access for those willing to invest in commuting (Van Ham et al, 2001a, 2001bVan Ham, 2002). From a dual earner strategy perspective it is therefore expected that living in an area with a high job access within 45 minutes increases the likelihood of symmetric fulltime working arrangements and symmetric far commuting arrangements.…”

“…Furthermore, homeowners might be less likely to move because they are more attached to their residential location and their residence than renters. As a result of limited spatial flexibility in terms of moving house, homeowners might be more likely to choose long commutes than renters (Van Ham & Hooimeijer, 2005). Being a homeowner is therefore expected to increase the likelihood of a symmetric fulltime working arrangement and a commuting arrangement in which one or both partners have a far commute.…”

“…For men, a higher (potential) wage rate lowers their weekly hours of paid work (Van der Lippe & Siegers, 1994, De Meester et al, 2007. With respect to commuting, having a high level of education and having a high wage rate have been found to result in longer commuting trips (Rouwendal & Nijkamp, 2004;Van Ham & Hooimeijer, 2005). Since highly paid jobs tend to be more widely dispersed than low paid jobs, the highly educated workers need to travel further to reach a suitable job (Van Ham, 2002).…”

“…Homeowners are known to be restricted in their spatial flexibility (Van Ham & Hooimeijer, 2005), which is likely to influence working and commuting arrangements. Homeowners are both financially and spatially more tied than renters.…”