Research project Labor market exclusion of ethnic minorities – the role of social networks

A third is social networks, but we know considerably less about the role of social networks in explaining labor market differences between ethnic groups. A reason that relatively little is known is that the effects of social networks are relatively difficult to estimate and measure. Partly, because using networks not is the same as having access to good networks as there might be systematic differences in the need and possibility to use them, but also because social networks might have effects on both the possibility and the willingness to search for job. To address these problems, this project aims to study three aspects of the process in which networks leads to job: access, aspirations, activation. For this purpose, two surveys are used that in different ways get at social relations and their activation in labor market outcomes.

In addition, the project makes use of administrative register data that are limited in its measures of social ties, but that measure labor market outcomes very well. This data enables a study of whether immigrants belonging to immigrant groups previously successful in the Swedish labor market have an advantage compared to other migrants, and if this can be explained with help from contacts belonging to their own group. In total, this contributes to increase the understanding of how social and economic integration goes together, a knowledge that is highly needed and wanted in a country with a high immigration from various countries of origin.