The importance of social ties in obtaining employment

• Published in: AWARI Vol. 3
• Main Authors: Vargas Chanes, Delfino, Nieto Rivera, Patricia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 08.04.2023
• ISSN: 2675-522X; 2675-522X
• DOI: 10.47909/awari.155

This article examines the importance of social ties in obtaining employment, aiming to measure the influence of social capital on the achievement of occupational status in Chile, considering the mediating effect of education and social origin. A follow-up sample of 1514 cases collected in 2018 was analyzed, coming from the Social Longitudinal Study of Chile, managed by the Center for the Study of Conflict and Social Cohesion (COES). We analyzed data using Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling. In general terms, the results showed that social origin, educational level, social capital, and mobilization have a direct and positive effect on the achievement of occupational prestige. Social basis also registered an indirect impact on occupational prestige via ego education and social capital. Although the findings of this research reaffirm the idea that non-ascribed factors have the most significant impact on the attainment of occupational status, we must be careful in their interpretation, given that these factors are being affected by social origin.