Yu Jeong Weon
| 2025, 32(1)
| pp.5~31
| number of Cited : 0
This study analyzes the impact of the Jing-Jin-Ji (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei) coordinated development strategy, a major economic zone in northern China, on the employment decisions of young people. Unlike previous studies that primarily focused on economic outcomes, this research examines whether the development strategy of the Jing-Jin-Ji region, which faces social challenges such as demographic crisis and youth talent outflow, aligns with the perceptions and expectations of young people. To empirically verify the factors influencing residential and employment location choices, open-ended and structured surveys were conducted among university students in third-tier cities of Hebei Province.
Hierarchical regression analysis and mediation effect analysis of 869 valid responses revealed that social environmental factors (social support, livelihood policies) and economic environmental factors (regional development prospects) have a greater influence on young people’s employment decisions than personal relationship factors (parental support, interpersonal relationships, intimate relationships, hometown preference). Specifically, social support and livelihood policies function as mediating variables for personal relationship factors, suggesting that when choosing employment locations, young people place greater importance on the support systems of local communities, trust in government policies, and positive outlook for the future rather than personal connections or regional ties.
These findings indicate that the recent tendency of Chinese youth to rely on personal networks is part of a coping mechanism for an uncertain future. Therefore, this study emphasizes that for the successful implementation of the Jing-Jin-Ji coordinated development strategy, a software approach focusing on substantive improvement of social policies must be pursued alongside hardware approaches such as physical infrastructure construction. Specifically, policy efforts are needed to secure housing stability, create quality jobs, and strengthen social support systems that allow young people to settle stably in local communities and plan for their future. These findings provide important implications for developing regional integration development policies and youth talent attraction strategies not only for China but also for other countries facing similar challenges, including South Korea.