Title
A theory of migration as a response to occupational stigma
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
International Economic Review
Publication Date
5-1-2011
Volume
52
Issue
2
First Page
549
Last Page
571
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
Abstract
A theory is developed of labor migration that is prompted by a desire to avoid "social humiliation." In a general-equilibrium framework, it is shown that as long as migration can reduce humiliation sufficiently, migration will occur even between two identical economies. Migration increases the number of individuals who choose to perform degrading jobs and consequently, migration lowers the price of the good produced in the sector that is associated with low social status. Moreover, the greater an individual's aversion to performing degrading jobs, the more likely it is that he will experience a welfare gain when the economy opens up.
DOI
10.1111/j.1468-2354.2011.00638.x
Print ISSN
00206598
E-ISSN
14682354
Publisher Statement
Copyright © (2011) by the Economics Department of the University of Pennsylvania and the Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Fan, C. S., & Stark, O. (2011). A theory of migration as a response to occupational stigma. International Economic Review, 52(2), 549-571. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2354.2011.00638.x
