The syllabus covers three main topics, respectively, 'Analysis of household decisions and of labour supply', 'Within the firm' and 'Labour demand, markets and institutions'. In addition a special topic is chosen each year.
- Analysis of household decisions and of labour supply features: the division of labour between partners in a household; who is available for work and at what conditions; the relationship between working and having children; the decision to invest in one’s education, and the theory of human capital.
- Analysis of labour demand, i.e. how much labour each firm demands and at what conditions, covers: industrial relations and firm’s wage and personnel policy: the role and behaviour of trade-unions; why wages differ among groups of workers and where there may be discrimination; how to use economic incentives for personnel management.
- Analysis of labour market equilibria investigates how different markets match labour demand and labour supply. It examines how markets and institutions influence overall employment and unemployment; how the unemployed search for jobs and what the outcome may depend upon; what link exists between flexibility and labour market regulations, including analysis of so called employment protection regimes; how key labour market policies and tools perform.
- Special topic. This year’s topic is the labour market impact of the current crisis in Italy and in Europe