Problems of concept and measurement in the comparative study of occupational mobility

A Standard International Occupational Prestige Scale developed by the author is proposed as a basis for valid cross-national comparison of occupational mobility and results achieved are compared to those based on other occupational scaling procedures.

Abstract

This paper argues that, despite a great deal of research on the topic, we have almost no firm knowledge about societal differences in the rates, patterns, and processes of occupational mobility. Insufficient attention has been paid by previous researchers to the problem of standardizing the measurement of occupational status. As a result, the paper demonstrates, existing cross-national comparisons of mobility are virtually invalid. A Standard International Occupational Prestige Scale developed by the author is proposed as a basis for valid cross-national comparison. Properties of the scale are discussed and results achieved with the scale are compared to those based on other occupational scaling procedures.