nep-mig New Economics Papers
on Economics of Human Migration
Issue of 2011‒05‒07
four papers chosen by
Yuji Tamura
Australian National University

  1. Formation and Persistence of Oppositional Identities By Bisin, Alberto; Patacchini, Eleonora; Verdier, Thierry; Zenou, Yves
  2. LABOR MOBILITY AND SPATIAL DENSITY By Andersson, Martin; Thulin, Per
  3. Migration of Labor in Europe. Theory and Evidence. By Anderson, James
  4. Financial development, international migrant remittances, and endogenous growth in Ghana By Adenutsi, Deodat E.

  1. By: Bisin, Alberto (New York University); Patacchini, Eleonora (La Sapienza University of Rome, Einaudi Institute for Economics and Finance (EIEF) and CEPR.); Verdier, Thierry (Paris School of Economics (PSE) and CEPR); Zenou, Yves (Dept. of Economics, Stockholm University)
    Abstract: We develop a dynamic model of identity formation that explains why ethnic minorities may choose to adopt oppositional identities (i.e. some individuals may reject or not the dominant culture) and why this behavior may persist over time. We first show that the prevalence of an oppositional culture in the minority group cannot always be sustained in equilibrium. Indeed, because the size of the majority group is larger, there is an “imposed” process of exposition to role models from the majority group that favors the diffusion of mainstream values in the minority community. In spite of this, an oppositional culture in the minority group can nevertheless be sustained in steady-state if there is enough cultural segmentation in terms of role models, or if the size of the minority group is large enough, or if the degree of oppositional identity it implies is high enough. We also demonstrate that the higher the level of harassment and the number of racist individuals in the society, the more likely an oppositional minority culture will emerge. We finally show that ethnic identity and socialization effort can be more intense in mixed rather than segregated neighborhoods.
    Keywords: Ethnicity; role models; peer effects; cultural transmission; racism
    JEL: A14 J15
    Date: 2011–04–26
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:sunrpe:2011_0016&r=mig
  2. By: Andersson, Martin (CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies, Royal Institute of Technology); Thulin, Per (CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies, Royal Institute of Technology)
    Abstract: This paper focuses on a much cited but seldom measured micro-foundation for agglomerations: inter-firm labor mobility. Labor mobility has been advanced as a vehicle for knowledge flows and labor market efficiency, and is often maintained to be an important source of agglomeration economies. Based on matched employer-employee data, we estimate the influence that spatial employment density has on the probability of inter-firm job-switching, while controlling for ample attributes of each worker and employer. The rate of inter-firm labor mobility varies substantially across regions and we document a systematic and robust positive influence of density on the probability of job switching. The likelihood that such switching is intra-regional is significantly higher if the employees operate in denser regions, verifying that labor mobility (and thus the effects mediated by it) is indeed localized. Higher rates of inter-firm labor mobility appear as a likely mechanism behind the empirically verified productivity advantage of dense regions.
    Keywords: job-switching; inter-firm labor mobility; agglomeration economies; external economies; micro-foundations; density
    JEL: J61 J62 R11 R12
    Date: 2011–04–26
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:cesisp:0248&r=mig
  3. By: Anderson, James (Institute for labor economics, University of London and Data Centre for Work and Welfare)
    Abstract: The paper studies the impact of migration policy liberalization in the enlarged EU. Adopting a structural NEG approach, we attempt to asses the direction, size and dynamics of potential labor migration after the end of the 'transitional measures', which are restricting the relocation of workers. According to our simulation results, the liberalization of migration policy would induce additional 2 -3 percent of the total EU workforce to change their country of location,with most of migrant workers relocating as expected from East to the West. The average net migration rate is decreasing in the level of integration, and in portugal and the UK the immigration of workers has even reverted to emigration at higher levels of integration, suggesting that from the economic point of view no regulatory policy responses are necessary to labor mobility restrictions inposed on workers from the balkan member States and the Balkan Candidate Countries are obsolete and should be removed with respect to achieving the objectives of the Europe 2020 Growth Strategy.
    Keywords: Labor Migration, Romania
    JEL: F12
    Date: 2011–04
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rjr:wpiecf:110427&r=mig
  4. By: Adenutsi, Deodat E.
    Abstract: Purpose: This paper seeks to provide further insights into understanding the finance-growth nexus by verifying the hypothesis that financial development promotes economic growth through its capacity to attract increased international migrant remittances to Ghana. Design/Methodology/Approach: A dynamic equilibrium-correction mechanism model for the period 1987(3)-2007(4) was estimated following the Johansen cointegration procedure. This approach produced maximum likelihood estimators of the unconstrained cointegrating vector, and suggested the number of cointegrating vectors without relying on an arbitrary normalization. Findings: The findings reveal two stylized facts with reference to Ghana. First, although financial development Granger-causes international migrant remittance inflows, it is in itself directly detrimental to endogenous growth. Second, international migrant remittance inflows are statistically significant in explaining variations in endogenous growth in the short run as well as in the long run. Practical Implications: Since directly, financial development hampers endogenous growth, but Granger-causes increased inflows of migrant remittances, and these remittances impact positively but marginally on endogenous growth, it follows that the sequencing of implementing Ghana’s financial reform programmes should be re-examined, whilst an enabling environment is created to induce Ghanaians living abroad to remit home through official channels. Originality/Value: International migrant remittances were found to be statistically significant in promoting endogenous growth, albeit marginally. Financial development does not directly engender growth, unless it succeeds in attracting non-debt foreign capital in the form of remittances through the formal sector. Financial development causes migrant remittance inflows which impact positively on growth.
    Keywords: Financial Development; Economic Growth; International Migrant Remittances; Ghana
    JEL: F3 O16
    Date: 2011
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:29330&r=mig

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