Using reflexivity to explain variations in migration among the highly-skilled

Saar, Maarja

doi:10.1080/1070289x.2017.1412179

Cited by 5 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…All of these serve specific purposes during the migration trajectory. Kinship networks represent strong ties, are "naturally" present and serve as bonding social capital and as a "backup" in the context of biographical uncertainty, which appears in the transition from studies to working life, and during migration (Saar, 2019;Scheibelhofer, 2009). They are specifically influential in return decisions, of which many appeared as spontaneous and poorly prepared.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…But the social capital investment reaches out beyond those utilitarian goals and encourages investment in activities which are meaningful for civil society development, or for innovative (social) entrepreneurship. The process of giving meaning to civic engagement or social entrepreneurship can be classified as symbolic capital transfer and is connected to a reinterpretation of experiences in the context of transnational migration and the development of post-materialist goals in life (Saar, 2019;Scheibelhofer, 2009). The research showed that transnational social capital is not only implemented to support mobility and integration processes, but that it is also intentionally invested in the home country aiming to support processes of social cohesion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(E6, 166-169) An important prerequisite for the development of return motivations on the basis of a post-materialistic life concept is reflexivity. Reflexivity frequently develops in the context of transnational livelihoods (Saar, 2019;Scheibelhofer, 2009). The opportunity to live in different places across the world raises the awareness of one's individual assets in life.…”

Section: Paying Back: Transnational Social Capital Transfermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Transnational Social Capital in Migration: The example of Educational Migration between Bulgaria and Germany

Glorius

2019

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Focusing on student migration from Bulgaria to Germany, this article examines what types of social capital are accumulated, transformed and implemented through migration, who profits from the investment, and how. The empirical work consists of 60 narrative biographical interviews with migrants and returnees to Bulgaria. The research reveals that the accumulation and investment of social capital takes place throughout the migratory trajectory—starting well before leaving—and is embedded in a transnational social space. Transnational networks exist as family, peer and professional networks, and all of them have a specific meaning for the migrants. Family networks are naturally present; they provide bonding social capital and thus have a stabilizing function for the individual’s identity. Professional networks have a strongly bridging function, helping the young migrants to manage status transitions. After return the transnational social capital acquired during the migratory stay helps returnees to re-integrate and find their way into the Bulgarian labour market. It also encourages them to pursue activities which are meaningful for civil society development, or for innovative (social) entrepreneurship. Thus, transnational social capital helps migrants to align their biographical development to the future, considering the post-transformative environment of Bulgaria, thereby helping to manage transformative changes and supporting societal modernization processes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Paying Back: Transnational Social Capital Transfermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Transnational Social Capital in Migration: The example of Educational Migration between Bulgaria and Germany

Glorius

2019

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“…Even though a great number of third wave migrants from Estonia can be considered economically motivated, new and important motivations related to personal and career development as well as the availability of higher studies abroad, have emerged. For the latter purposes, the United Kingdom (UK) seems to be the preferred destination (Saar 2018).…”

Section: The Estonian Diaspora and Its Relationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Estonian Citizens Abroad

Saar

2020

IMISCOE Research Series

Self Cite

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This chapter describes how the Estonian state’s diaspora policy has moved away from being purely culture-centred towards a more business-focused initiative. The policy has undergone few changes during the last decade and still does not focus on social protection. The state does offer basic social protection and consular services by agreement with a few countries, such as the Russian Federation. The lack of Estonian state provided social protection to nationals abroad is counteracted, in some countries, by localized national organizations which the Estonian state may or may not fund. However, an important shift is taking place in the provision of Estonian language courses and cultural programmes to support returnees and their non-Estonian family members.

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“…The first position favors the Bourdieusian approach, emphasizing that only certain types of migrants are capable of being reflexive and reflexivity is an ability that is related to particular societal groups, that is, the Western middle class. The second position favors that reflexivity is widespread (Saar, 2017; Saar, 2019). Dating back to the classic authors of sociology, the discussion around reflexivity falls within this structure–agency debate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A foreigner in a foreign country: examining biography and memoirs of Georg Mayer through reflexive agency

Zincir

2022

JMH

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Purpose This paper is concerned with the concept of reflexive agency through the biography and memoirs of Georg Mayer, a Jewish businessman who immigrated to Turkey before 1945 and lived there for almost 40 years. This paper aims to explore reflexive agency using the concepts of structural conditions (socioeconomic background), contextual stimuli (activation of reflexivity) and individual perspectives at different points in life (main concerns, reflection on the past, projects and decision-making). Design/methodology/approach This paper is developed using qualitative research methods, analyzing a variety of sources including books, papers, biographical materials and personal memoirs. Primary sources are three books written about him and Mayer Stores using the method of oral history. Moreover, Mayer’s memoirs, which provided rich information about his observations of people, acts and culture, were analyzed. Findings Several conclusions can be drawn. While there are typologies for reflexive agency, it is found that a person can fit into several modes at different times and/or at the same time. Another finding is that an individual’s social network is an important factor for his/her reflexive agency. When immigrating to another country with a contextual discontinuity and structural change, an established community and economic opportunities are important factors. A strong stimulus such as a life threat can be a force majeure and trigger for individuals to take risks, affecting their abilities of reflexivity. Originality/value This paper presents a unique case study that examines immigration from Western countries before 1945. This paper tries to provide detailed information about social context, including critical milestones, bring the concepts of culture, identity, migration and reflexivity together by analyzing an atypical business figure through his biography and personal memoirs, and use narrative analysis to explain how a reflexive person can act in contextual discontinuity, hence showing how structural, cultural and personal emergent properties can be understood together.

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Using reflexivity to explain variations in migration among the highly-skilled

Cited by 5 publications

References 31 publications

Transnational Social Capital in Migration: The example of Educational Migration between Bulgaria and Germany

Transnational Social Capital in Migration: The example of Educational Migration between Bulgaria and Germany

Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Estonian Citizens Abroad

A foreigner in a foreign country: examining biography and memoirs of Georg Mayer through reflexive agency

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