A multimethod analysis of the effects of social network ethnic diversity on the social integration of non-Western first- and second generation immigrant entrepreneurs and salaried workers

Abstract

This study focuses on the social integration of non-Western immigrants. Social integration is here defined as the extent to which an immigrant participates in broad range of social relationships, where ‘broad range’ is understood as ethnic diversity. To analyze this, social network diversity of different groups of non-Western immigrants is measured. The differences in groups are based on employment type (entrepreneurship versus salaried work) and generation difference (first generation versus second generation). Social network diversity was expected to have a positive lineair relationship with social integration. A combination of closed fixed field questions and open questions in an interview was used. Twenty respondents have been interviewed and asked about the composition of their social networks, as well as their social integration. The results indicated that there is a difference in social network diversity between non-Western immigrant entrepreneurs and salaried workers, and also between first and second generation non-Western immigrants. Immigrant entrepreneurs show more social network diversity than salaried workers, Moreover, second generation non-Western immigrants have a more ethnically diversified social network than first generation non-Western immigrants, although the difference is only limited to their informal network. Ultimately, social network diversity does not seem to have an effect on social integration. Other key factors influence an immigrant’s social integration, particularly language profiency of the host society and generation difference.