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What if Networks Move? Dynamic Social Network ing in the Context of African Migration to Europe
Author(s) -
Schapendonk Joris
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
population, space and place
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.398
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1544-8452
pISSN - 1544-8444
DOI - 10.1002/psp.1860
Subject(s) - social capital , context (archaeology) , social network (sociolinguistics) , order (exchange) , value (mathematics) , technological determinism , sociology , foundation (evidence) , determinism , positive economics , computer science , political science , economics , epistemology , social science , geography , law , philosophy , archaeology , finance , machine learning , social media
As a welcome alternative to economic explanations of migration, the social network has become a key concept in migration studies. However, by maintaining a static conceptualisation of networks (as grid‐like structures) and by suggesting that social capital automatically derives from networks, we tend to fall into a form of network determinism. As an alternative, this paper makes the case for a practice approach to social networks that recognise the changeable nature of networks and the social endeavours that are needed to accumulate social capital. In so doing, I first revisit the work of Granovetter and Bourdieu in order to explore existing practice elements in their network approaches. I subsequently combine these insights with practice‐oriented migration studies. This analysis results in four hitherto undertheorised elements that provide a foundation for the advocated networking approach. Finally, I illustrate the analytical value of this approach by discussing the networking practices of sub‐Saharan African migrants en route for the European Union. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.