Living Systems Theory and Typology of Migrations

Classification of migrations into distinguishable types is a frequently used technique in migration research. Typologies of migrations are usually based on some specific criterion, such as voluntary–involuntary, permanent–temporary, international–internal or on some combination thereof. In this paper, an approach to the construction of migration typology based on the living systems theory by J. G. Miller was applied. Consideration of functioning and interactions of living systems at the social level was a theoretical foundation for the building of this typology. The construction of migration typology, at least in its initial stage, does not need quantitative data, which usually are scarce in research of migrations. Instead, we rely on historical and sociological texts, which give us a qualitative description of migration processes. Grounded theory, a qualitative research method for behavioral science, developed by the sociologists Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss, was applied to derive the typology on the theoretical basis of living system theory. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.