Public Employment Services and Strategic Action towards Rural NEETs in Mediterranean Europe

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The reviewed paper aimed to “analyze the functioning of PES in the South Mediterranean Welfare States, using a bioecological mode”.

The article uses relevant literature on the subject. A proper selection of sources was made.

The research course of action and the methods and techniques of analysis adopted are adequate for this type of research. The analysis of the results of the research was conducted properly. The correct interpretation of the obtained research results was made.

I propose a broader discussion of the research results, using more extensive literature on the subject.

I suggest including the purpose of the article in the abstract.

In the conclusion, it is worth indicating whether the work’s stated purpose was realized.

In addition, I propose checking certain aspects of bibliographic reference lists. For example, the journal’s name should be written with its abbreviation, the volume in italics, and the year in bold, and the text should be justified. There are several shortcomings. It needs improvement.

Despite the indicated limitations, the scientific value of the article can be assessed positively.

Author Response

Reviewer 1

The reviewed paper aimed to “analyze the functioning of PES in the South Mediterranean Welfare States, using a bioecological mode”.

The article uses relevant literature on the subject. A proper selection of sources was made.

The research course of action and the methods and techniques of analysis adopted are adequate for this type of research. The analysis of the results of the research was conducted properly. The correct interpretation of the obtained research results was made.

 

Comment 1: I propose a broader discussion of the research results, using more extensive literature on the subject.

Reply 1: based on reviewer suggestion, we made an improvement in the discussion section by adding literature on the role of operators and the role of partnerships.

 

Comment 2: I suggest including the purpose of the article in the abstract.

Reply 2: based on reviewer suggestion, we made clearer the purpose of the paper in the abstract.

 

Comment 3: In the conclusion, it is worth indicating whether the work’s stated purpose was realized.

Reply 3: at the beginning of the discussion, we added again that the aim of the present study and that our results reached this aim adding evidence to previous studies.

 

Comment 4: In addition, I propose checking certain aspects of bibliographic reference lists. For example, the journal’s name should be written with its abbreviation, the volume in italics, and the year in bold, and the text should be justified. There are several shortcomings. It needs improvement. Despite the indicated limitations, the scientific value of the article can be assessed positively.

Reply 4: as suggested by the reviewer, we checked references and formatted them according to the journal guidelines (ISO 4 rules). We also added new references.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

 

Thank you for your contribution on a topic where sociologist and economists tend to have the loudest voices. I have no serious criticisms but:

i.                    Informal channels are major routes for job information and successful applications in all countries. Southern Europe may be different in the importance of ‘strong’ ties given how individuals’ lives and welfare are embedded in family and neighbourhood relationships. In the north numerous relatively weak ties tend to be more advantageous. The classic reference is: Granovetter M (1973), ‘The strength of weak ties’, American Journal of Sociology, 78, 1360-1380.

ii.                  The south of Europe seems also to remain ‘different’ in higher education failing tó protect against risks of unemployment. This is evident in your Spain and Portugal samples, but where are the Italian graduates? Maybe they do not use the PES.

You may find the following interesting and relevant.

Effie Emmanouil, Georgios Chatzichristos, Andrew Herod & Stelios Gialis (2023) In what way a ‘Guarantee for youth’? NEETs entrapped by labour market policies in the European Union, Journal of Youth Studies, DOI: 10.1080/13676261.2023.2211943

R. Scandurra, D. Kelly, S. Fusaro, R. Cefalo & K. Hermannson (2023) Do employability programmes in higher education improve skills and labour market outcomes? A systematic review of academic literature, Studies in Higher Education, DOI: 10.1080/03075079.2023.2265425

Scandurra, R., Cefalo, R. and Kazepov, Y. (2021) ‘School to work outcomes during the Great Recession, is the regional scale relevant for young people’s life chances?’, Journal of youth studies, 24(4), pp. 441–465. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2020.1742299.

 

Author Response

Reviewer 2

Thank you for your contribution on a topic where sociologist and economists tend to have the loudest voices. I have no serious criticisms but:

 

Comment 1: Informal channels are major routes for job information and successful applications in all countries. Southern Europe may be different in the importance of ‘strong’ ties given how individuals’ lives and welfare are embedded in family and neighbourhood relationships. In the north numerous relatively weak ties tend to be more advantageous. The classic reference is: Granovetter M (1973), ‘The strength of weak ties’, American Journal of Sociology, 78, 1360-1380.

Reply 1: We have rewritten the paragraph containing the specifics on Mediterranean welfare, integrating it with the reflections proposed by the reviewer.

 

Comment 2: The south of Europe seems also to remain ‘different’ in higher education failing tó protect against risks of unemployment. This is evident in your Spain and Portugal samples, but where are the Italian graduates? Maybe they do not use the PES.

You may find the following interesting and relevant.

Effie Emmanouil, Georgios Chatzichristos, Andrew Herod & Stelios Gialis (2023) In what way a ‘Guarantee for youth’? NEETs entrapped by labour market policies in the European Union, Journal of Youth Studies, DOI: 10.1080/13676261.2023.2211943

10. Scandurra, D. Kelly, S. Fusaro, R. Cefalo & K. Hermannson (2023) Do employability programmes in higher education improve skills and labour market outcomes? A systematic review of academic literature, Studies in Higher Education, DOI: 10.1080/03075079.2023.2265425

Scandurra, R., Cefalo, R. and Kazepov, Y. (2021) ‘School to work outcomes during the Great Recession, is the regional scale relevant for young people’s life chances?’, Journal of youth studies, 24(4), pp. 441–465. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2020.1742299.

Reply 2: Thank you for your comment, we tried to add this reflection in the literature background. Due to the fact that so many selection variables such as country, geographical area, user-operator perspective were considered, the educational attainment variable was not considered in the sampling process, making it difficult to assert the specification you highlighted.