教育失配经历对企业雇佣决策的影响：来自简历投递实验和在线招聘职位的证据

Abstract

With the expansion of higher education in China, the phenomenon of educational mismatch in the labor market is becoming increasingly prominent. This study focuses on the effects of educational mismatch experiences among highly educated individuals on firm hiring decisions, differentiating between vertical and horizontal mismatch and exploring their heterogeneous effects on both labor supply and demand. Empirical data is derived from the 2023 Conjoint Online Survey Experiment Research in China, utilizing online job postings and audit study to strengthen causal inference (with a sample size of 37273). The results reveal that, firstly, the effects of educational mismatch experiences on hiring decisions exhibit significant heterogeneity. Compared to vertical match, individuals experiencing vertical mismatch have significantly lower call back rates, indicating the scarring effect of vertical mismatch. In contrast, individuals experiencing horizontal mismatch have significantly higher call back rates, predominantly driven by those with horizontal overmatch, revealing an empowering effect. Secondly, supply-side factors such as gender, college prestige, and previous company significantly moderate the effects of mismatch experiences on hiring decisions. Thirdly, organizational property, job requirements, and city environment on the demand side also significantly moderate the effects of mismatch experiences on hiring decisions. This study uncovers the heterogeneous consequences of educational mismatch experiences on firm hiring decisions, providing valuable insights for enhancing the job quality of highly educated individuals and promoting high-quality economic and social development.