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“Since Many of My Friends Were Working in the Restaurant”: the Dual Role of Immigrants’ Social Networks in Occupational Attainment in the Finnish Labour Market

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  • Akhlaq Ahmad

    (University of Helsinki)

Abstract

This article considers the dual role of immigrants’ social networks in occupational attainment in the Finnish labour market. Drawing on the empirical observations gained from investigating the entire occupational careers of 40 immigrants, it argues that while ethnically dominated networks act as a crucial resource-opportunity structure to help get immigrants a foothold in the local economy and society, at the same time, they can also operate as constraining factors by confining them to low-prestige occupations in which the chances for occupational mobility are rather restricted. Overall, the article aims to suggest that although deficiency in locally gained human capital creates obstacles to better labour-market integration, the kinds of social networks in which immigrants are embedded can also significantly contribute to their low occupational attainment in their new country.

Suggested Citation

  • Akhlaq Ahmad, 2015. "“Since Many of My Friends Were Working in the Restaurant”: the Dual Role of Immigrants’ Social Networks in Occupational Attainment in the Finnish Labour Market," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 965-985, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:16:y:2015:i:4:d:10.1007_s12134-014-0397-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-014-0397-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mahuteau, Stephane & Junankar, Pramod, 2007. "Do Migrants succeed in the Australian Labour Market? Furher Evidence on Job Quality," MPRA Paper 8703, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Mar 2008.
    2. Michele Pellizzari, 2010. "Do Friends and Relatives Really Help in Getting a Good Job?," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 63(3), pages 494-510, April.
    3. Battu, Harminder & Seaman, Paul & Zenou, Yves, 2011. "Job contact networks and the ethnic minorities," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 48-56, January.
    4. Kaivan Munshi, 2003. "Networks in the Modern Economy: Mexican Migrants in the U. S. Labor Market," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 118(2), pages 549-599.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ilona Bontenbal & Reetta Riikonen & Jarkko Kosonen, 2024. "Examining the Impact of Conscript Service on the Labour Market Integration of Migrants," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 1593-1613, September.

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