Tzanakou, Charikleia (2012) Beyond the PhD: the significance of boundaries in the early careers of highly qualified Greek scientists and engineers. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

Higher education and research have come to the forefront of international debate
about economic growth highlighting the significance of doctoral education for
fostering innovation and international competitiveness. Currently, there is limited
information about doctoral graduates in Greece from both a demand and supply
side. This study seeks to address this gap by examining the early career paths of
Greek doctoral graduates in natural sciences and engineering educated in Greece
and the UK, and how they are deployed in the labour market. This study is
informed by the debate on human capital and its links to productivity and growth,
social capital influences, career theories and the existing evidence on highly
skilled migration.
A mixed methods approach was adopted to deliver new quantitative and
qualitative data and enable the understanding of complex phenomena, such as
careers. An online survey of Greek PhD graduates was complemented by followup
interviews with a sub-sample, to explore their perceptions of doctoral education
and its outcomes. The career trajectories of Greek doctorate holders, together
with individual and contextual determinants that shape career choices are
presented. Within this investigation, the effect of country of doctoral study, and
doctoral education experience are also explored. Emphasis is given to disciplinary
labour markets in relation to engineering and biological sciences and the
academic system in Greece as contextual considerations that influence career
choices. This information is extended by a small number of interviews with Greek based
non-academic employers, contributing to a better understanding of their
views, informing both the PhD graduates and employers’ (mis)perceptions
regarding doctoral education and its value beyond academia.
Overall, it will be concluded that Greek PhD graduates are under-utilised in the
Greek labour market raising concerns about educational investment and potential
brain drain under the current economic crisis in Greece.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Scientists -- Employment -- Greece, Engineers -- Employment -- Greece, Human capital -- Greece, Labor market -- Greece, Doctoral students -- Greece
Official Date:	October 2012
Dates:	Date Event October 2012 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Institute for Employment Research
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Purcell, Kate; Lindley, Robert M.
Sponsors:	University of Warwick. Institute for Employment Research
Extent:	xvii, 465 pages : charts
Language:	eng

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