Dimensions of occupational mobility: the empirical invariance

Abstract

Occupational mobility patterns are assumed to be an accurate description of the process of social structuration. By a canonical analysis of occupational mobility tables from nine countries an attempt is made to reveal dominant patterns of intergenerational movements. Our findings show that, as indexed by mobility patterns, basic aspects of social structuration are cross-nationally invariant These are: (i) a sharp distinction between farm and non-farm occupations; (ii) a socioeconomic hierarchy of non-agricultural categories; (iii) a distinctive position of the occupational elite; (iv) a white-collar/blue-collar division; (v) a distinctive location of non-farm proprietors. The results call in question the traditional thesis claiming the strong prevalence of the socioeconomic status dimension in social space.