Conceptualising the integration-transnationalism nexus

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the ways in which integration, transnationalism and the relationships between the two have been conceptualised. Given the diversity in scope and in intensity that characterises transnational mobility, we suggest that there is a need to revisit the various facets of the interconnections between the two phenomena and take into account new variables to explain: under what circumstances migrants engage in transnational mobility; in what ways does their integration in the society of settlement influence this engagement; what sort of transfers are being made; and in what ways are the particular characteristics of each migration corridor relevant for the link between integration and transnational mobility. We thus define the boundaries of our research and critically analyse the available quantitative strategies for addressing the multidimensional nature of the integration-transnational mobility matrix.