Sources of Variation in Labour Market Segmentation: A Comparison of Youth Labour Markets in Canada and Britain

In spite of superficial similarities in the levels of unemployment this paper reveals major differences in the structure of the youth labour markets in Canada and Britain. It argues that labour market segmentation theory by according primacy to such factors as product markets, industrial structures and technology, can provide only a partial explanation for the observed difference. A more adequate explanation will have to take greater cognizance of the interaction between political, cultural and social factors which are seen to exert an independent effect on the structure of youth labour markets.