About us

The Laboratory for Labour Market Studies (LLMS) was founded on February 15, 2007 as part of the Labour and Population Economics Department. The Laboratory is part of the HSE Faculty of Economics Sciences. Associate Professor Sergey Roshchin heads the Laboratory.

LLMS aims to involve students in applied and academic research in labour economics and employment using theoretical concepts and the most recent analysis methods.

Key LLMS tasks include:

• Developing a contemporary Russian school of labour economics on the basis of global research experience using contemporary economic analysis methods and tools
• Creating an academic platform as part of the weekly research seminar aimed at holding professional debates on theoretical and practical problems concerning the labour market, labour and staff economics, and population economics
• Carrying out annual summer schools on labour economics (RSSLE) that aim to spread the research and teaching experience to include the results of academic research in teaching and learning

Key LLMS projects include:

Companies’ behaviour on the labour market. This project studies new forms of employment, the development of outsourcing, internal and external mobility of personnel, the influence of salary regulation and employment-protection legislation on companies’ behaviour, professional training, employers’ demand for skills and competencies, and companies’ salary policies. As part of the project, annual surveys of companies are conducted, which allows for the dynamics of Russian companies’ adjustment on the labour market to be analyzed.

Young people on the labour market. This study aims to carry out theoretical and empirical analysis of the process of transition from study to work, graduates’ adaptation on the labour market, and the return on various skills and knowledge on the labour market. It also aims to study the problem of transition from study to work in various countries, as well as model the processes of combining study and work, job searches, and transition to work while taking into account gender specifics, among other things.

Corporate governance and the market for top managers. This project studies the labour market for top managers in Russia. A unique database  on top managers’ mobility was created in the 2000s. Key characteristics of the labour market for top managers were described, including issues related to hiring internal and external candidates, attracting foreign top managers, the level of managers’ education and experience, transfers between various sectors of the economy, and career trajectories. Data on CEO appointments at Russia’s 300 largest companies and board's members of 50 Russia's largest banks was collected.

Demand for skills. A report on skills development in Russia was published as part of a joint LLMS – World Bank project. Demand for skills in companies is currently being analyzed.

Work at LLMS is organized in projects. Small research teams come together to work on one topic. A full cycle of teamwork on a project provides an opportunity to acquire and develop not only specific skills necessary for research, but also other types of skills, including analysis and management (e.g., the ability to set tasks, select and use analytical tools, present the results of work, as well as organizational and negotiation skills).

LLMS is interested in students who are motivated to research and who are interested in a broad range of issues related to how the labour market works and interacts with other markets. LLMS belongs to research networks that students can use to implement their projects, including networks with international participants.