Doctoral education: an academic and labor market “plus”? An analysis using the “Theory of the three dimensional spiral of sense”

Abstract

Our research dealt with PhD graduates and PhD students from different courses of study at the National University of Cuyo (UNCuyo, Argentina) and CNAM (France) (Social and Human Sciences, 2005-2015). The research model included socio-cultural, psycho-social, organizational and structural factors. Our objectives were: a) to analyze the value that PhD graduates give to doctoral education within a context of diploma devaluation and the massification of higher education; b) to observe if doctoral programs still provide an academic and labor market “plus” under current market conditions; c) to observe the effects that field choice has on Professional Satisfaction; d) to observe what role expectations/aspirations have in relation to valuing the market; e) to understand how Status Inconsistencies act on experiences and responses (microlevel); f) to identify differences in representations according to academic fields and macrosocial contexts. The original approach was macro-micro-meso-macro (Aparicio 2015 a and b)[1][2]. The methodology used was in part quantitative (statistical analysis), though mainly qualitative (interviews, hierarchical evocations). This last technique allowed us to observe which aspects for each node –University, PhD degree, labor market, future expectations, etc. –were given priority for each issue, thus constituting the core of the representation, and which were peripheral. Our findings show the value given to doctoral education (in and of itself) and as relates to market offers according to institutional/disciplinary fields (meso level); macro-social context, with its “plafond effects,” and personal/professional expectations (micro level). The three levels feed each other.