Information for the student – Labour Economics (currently being phased out)

The general objective of the MiLE is to provide professional and research training in the applied economic analysis of labour markets. The globalization process alongside technological change and demographic evolution, in both Western and emerging economies, is producing unprecedented changes in the functioning of labour markets. The social changes that are taking place in parallel with this – such as an increasing focus on gender equality and the fight against discrimination – are also entwined with the functioning of labour markets. There is, therefore, a growing need across different fields and disciplines for specialized professionals who understand the factors in the ongoing evolution of labour markets, such as the impact of these transformations on unemployment, activity, migrations, income inequality and gender and other forms of discrimination, and who can identify the most suitable public policy channels for addressing new challenges (for example, educational reform). This applies both to the private sector (organization of production and human resources) and the public sector (phenomena that influence transformations, speed and impact of changes, policies implemented and anticipated effects, and policies that need to be designed and implemented). In each of these areas, therefore, there is demand for professionals with the training to understand, interpret and manage these phenomena.

BASIC AND GENERAL COMPETENCES

• Knowledge forming the basis of original thinking in the development or application of ideas, typically in a research context.


• Capacity to apply the knowledge acquired to problem-solving in new or relatively unknown environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of studies.


• Capacity to integrate knowledge and tackle the complexity of formulating judgements based on incomplete or limited information, giving due consideration to the social and ethical responsibilities that are implicit in their application.


• Capacity to communicate knowledge, conclusions and the grounds on which they have been reached to specialist and non-specialist audiences in a clear and unambiguous manner.


• Capacity for ongoing self-directed and independent learning.


• Capacity for the critical reading and appraisal of research articles in labour economics and related fields, to identify essential contributions and the frontiers of knowledge.


• Ability to write academic papers and economic reports for organizations and public administrations.


• Capacity to develop a critical perspective in order to apply the techniques and methods acquired to a satisfactory degree in new contexts.


• Capacity to work in international and interdisciplinary teams. SPECIFIC COMPETENCES


• Capacity to recognise the different problems associated with labour markets and to analyse their impact on the current socio-economic reality as a whole, encompassing consideration of the gender perspective.


• Capacity to select and apply the various theoretical models or frameworks through which to understand and simulate the behaviour of the agents involved in labour markets, on both individual and collective scales.


• Capacity to assess and apply the different methodologies and quantitative techniques for the analysis of labour markets, as well as the various computer tools required to apply these techniques.


• Capacity to identify and evaluate the different data sources with which to analyse the behaviour of labour markets from individual and collective perspectives.


• Capacity to devise recommendations on labour market policies and to evaluate their effects by applying the most appropriate quantitative techniques.


• Ability to describe the processes for training human capital and building skills, and to analyse their impact on the success of individuals in the job market.


• Ability to formulate the main theoretical models in the fields of migrant economy and economic development, and to apply them to the analysis of the interrelations between migration and the labour market.


• Ability to describe and assess the theoretical and empirical knowledge associated with efficiency and equity in labour markets, and to measure and analyse the evolution of poverty, inequality and discrimination.


• Ability to describe the legal and institutional context of labour markets, as well as the role that regulations and institutions play in the functioning of the economy.


• Ability to recognize new forms of work organization and entrepreneurship, as well as changes arising from technological advances, automation processes and globalization in the labour market.


• Ability to compare different theories related to human resource management, leadership and teamwork, negotiation processes and conflict resolution, and to apply them in different contexts such as multinational companies or large institutions.


• Capacity to establish, analyse and evaluate the main scientific advances and research lines in the field of labour economics to integrate them into scientific research and projects or policies of a public or private nature.