Implications of a Country Work Force’s Perceptions of Occupations on Work Force Mix and Macro Manpower Plans

Abstract

Using data obtained from a mail panel of households, this paper examines subject’s perceptions of different occupations, and studies the relationship between these perceptions and preferences for occupations. Perceptions can be summarized into two dimensions, the personal satisfaction associated with the occupation, and the occupation’s orientation toward people. The respondent’s most preferred occupation for a son is found to be closely related to these dimensions, but the most preferred occupation for a daughter is found to be more closely related to the percentage of women already in the occupation. The findings suggest certain serious implications on work force mix and macro manpower planning.