Just a question of time? The composition and evolution of immigrants' personal networks in Catalonia
Bolíbar, Mireia (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Centre d'Estudis Sociològics sobre la Vida Quotidiana i el Treball (QUIT))
Martí Olivé, Joel (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Centre d'Estudis Sociològics sobre la Vida Quotidiana i el Treball (QUIT))
Verd Pericàs, Joan Miquel (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Centre d'Estudis Sociològics sobre la Vida Quotidiana i el Treball (QUIT))

Date:	2015
Abstract:	This article analyses the composition and evolution of migrants' personal networks during their settlement process. Migration studies have emphasized the relational dimension of the migration process, but the topic has rarely been analysed systematically using social network analysis. Based on ego-network analysis and interviews with Ecuadorian and Moroccan immigrants in Catalonia, this article shows the diversity of configurations of migrants' personal networks and their evolution: over the years only some migrants break their ties with the society of origin and substitute them with contacts with locals; others maintain or increase transnational ties; and yet others create co-ethnic ties in the host country. This diversity is explained in the article by examining migrant characteristics and circumstances prior to migration, such as the details of their migration projects and the features of their pre-migratory contacts. The results show that the interaction of gender with the organization of the migration process seems to have a strong impact on the evolution of these networks. At a methodological level, social network analysis proves to be a fruitful strategy for analysing the diverse incorporation of migrants in the host society.
Grants:	Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad CSO2008-01470
Note:	Background of INCASI Project H2020-MSCA-RISE-2015 GA 691004. WP1: Compilation
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Xarxes socials ; Catalunya ; Emigració i immigració ; Personal networks ; Migration networks ; Migration project ; Transnationalism ; Catalonia ; Spain ; Ecuadorean immigrants ; Moroccan immigrants
Published in:	International Sociology, 2015 , ISSN 1461-7242

DOI: 10.1177/0268580915579925

Postprint 19 p, 335.8 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Social and Legal Sciences > Centre d’Estudis Sociològics sobre la Vida Quotidiana i el Treball (QUIT)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles