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Market Penetration, Institutional Niches and Job Searches in Reforming China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2017

Xianbi Huang
Xianbi Huang*
Affiliation:
La Trobe University. Email: x.huang@latrobe.edu.au.
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Abstract

Using an institutional perspective, this paper explores coexisting job search methods in reforming China. Analysis of the 2003 Chinese General Social Survey data shows that China's labour markets are segmented into institutional niches by two key factors: the type of ownership of work organization and the status of the work organization in the market. The effectiveness of job search methods varies across the different institutional niches. Hierarchical arrangements and social networks remain powerful means of obtaining jobs in the state sector, including both monopolistic and competitive work organizations, while job searches using a market-oriented method are comparatively useful for winning jobs in the non-state sector irrespective of whether organizations are competitive or monopolistic in terms of market competition. This paper not only illustrates the value of an institutional approach to labour market research but also reveals the scope of market penetration in China's emerging labour markets.

摘要

本文从制度分析角度出发, 旨在研究中国改革开放时期劳动力市场中并存的求职方法及其相对作用。据 2003 年中国综合社会调查数据的分析显示, 新兴劳动力市场中存在制度区隔, 其形成主要受两种因素的影响, 即工作单位所有制类型和工作单位在市场竞争中的地位, 而求职方式的有效性因制度区隔而异。组织安排和社会网络仍然是获得国有垄断性和开放性单位的工作岗位的重要途径; 但是在非国有部门, 无论工作单位是否具有垄断性, 市场求职渠道对于获取工作均相对有效。本文体现了对劳动力市场进行制度分析的研究价值, 而且揭示出中国求职就业领域的市场化渗透进程及范围。

Keywords

Chinajob searchinstitutional nicheslabour marketsocial networks中国求职制度区隔劳动力市场社会网络
Type
Articles
Information
The China Quarterly , Volume 232 , December 2017 , pp. 1070 - 1093
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Copyright
Copyright © SOAS University of London 2017 

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