How Do Migrants Find Jobs in Sweden?: Understanding the Economic Integration of Foreign-born People in Sweden within the Perspective of Human Capital, Social Networks and Discrimination
2024 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
This research aims to understand the current economic integration of migrants in Sweden. The study delves into the analysis of this topic using three fundamental theories in literature: human capital, social networks, and discrimination. Additionally, it investigates the influence of the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) on helping migrants secure employment. This study was designed as qualitative research, and semi-structured interviews were conducted. The participants included recruiters working with non-EU citizen migrants in non-governmental organizations, associations, and institutions. The methodology employed to understand the subject was social constructionism. Findings reveal that strong human capital of foreigners is generally considered to be important for economic integration, provided that they meet the demands of the Swedish labor market. Moreover, as long as foreigners have a decent social network within the same ethnic group or natives, their chances of employability have increased in Sweden. However, the labor market outcomes of foreigners are adversely impacted by discrimination. Their weak position and low employment can be largely attributed to segregation. Besides, when migrants are unemployed, they may become financially dependent on the social benefits provided by the welfare state, which can harm the national economy. In addition, the lack of adequate integration policies and proper human resource management may result in the loss of valuable labor. Furthermore, Arbetsförmedlingen's assistance in helping migrants secure employment is insufficient. Instead of fulfilling its role as a supportive entity, the institution functions as an intermediary job placement agency, supplying companies rich human resources as cheap labors and the organization perpetuates precarity.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024. , p. 99
Keywords [en]
the economic integration of migrants, human capital, social networks, dicrimination, Sweden
National Category
Social Sciences Other Social Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-210571ISRN: LIU-IKOS/EMS-A--24/15--SEOAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-210571DiVA, id: diva2:1923610
Subject / course
Master's Programme in Ethnic and Migration Studies
Presentation
2024-06-05, TP1, Bredgatan 34, Norrköping, 14:01 (English)
Supervisors
Examiners
2025-02-262024-12-282025-02-26Bibliographically approved