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Employability, Skills Mismatch and Spatial Mismatch in Metropolitan Labour Markets

Author

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  • Donald Houston

    (Department of Geography, University of Dundee, Dundee DDI 4HN, Scotland, UK. d.s.houston@ dundee.ac.uk.)

Abstract
The skills mismatch and spatial mismatch perspectives are often presented as competing explanations of the spatial distribution of unemployment within metropolitan areas. This paper argues that the spatial mismatch hypothesis addresses some of the shortcomings of the skills mismatch perspective, while not denying the importance of skills mismatch. The development of the spatial mismatch hypothesis in the US is traced, before considering its relevance in the British context. A framework in which to conceptualise and reconcile skills mismatch and spatial mismatch within metropolitan areas is developed, incorporating the operation of local housing and labour markets as well as the role of commuting. The paper concludes by arguing that skills and spatial mismatches reinforce each other and that the concept of employability offers some potential to help understand how job searchers and employers make decisions in situations of skills and/or spatial mismatch. The implications for future research are highlighted.

Suggested Citation

  • Donald Houston, 2005. "Employability, Skills Mismatch and Spatial Mismatch in Metropolitan Labour Markets," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 42(2), pages 221-243, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:42:y:2005:i:2:p:221-243
    DOI: 10.1080/0042098042000316119
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Morelli, Carlo & Seaman, Paul, 2009. "Devolution & Entrenched Household Poverty: Is Scotland less mobile?," SIRE Discussion Papers 2009-06, Scottish Institute for Research in Economics (SIRE).
    3. Mangan, John & Trendle, Bernard, 2017. "Hard-to-fill vacancies: An analysis of demand side responses in the Australian state of Queensland," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 49-56.
    4. Johnson, Daniel & Ercolani, Marco & Mackie, Peter, 2017. "Econometric analysis of the link between public transport accessibility and employment," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1-9.
    5. Cai, Zhengyu & Maguire, Karen & Winters, John V., 2018. "Who Benefits from Local Oil and Gas Employment? Labor Market Composition in the Oil and Gas Industry in Texas," GLO Discussion Paper Series 246, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    6. Lisa M. Grobar, 2008. "The Economic Status of Areas Surrounding Major U.S. Container Ports: Evidence and Policy Issues," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(3), pages 497-516, September.
    7. Neil Lee & Paul Sissons, 2016. "Inclusive growth? The relationship between economic growth and poverty in British cities," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 48(11), pages 2317-2339, November.
    8. Umut Türk & John Östh, 2019. "How much does geography contribute? Measuring inequality of opportunities using a bespoke neighbourhood approach," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 295-318, June.

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