A Dynamic Model of Immigrant Integration
Structure, Agency and Mutual Willingness
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7514651 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Daniel Rauhut (0000-0002-9146-9984, University of Lisbon, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 64 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Migration (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0020-7985 • E-ISSN: 1468-2435 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/imig.70154 |
| OpenAlex | W7134896279 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 42 |
Immigrant integration is a multidimensional and dynamic process, yet existing theories often privilege either structural constraints or individual agency while neglecting the reciprocal nature of integration. This paper advances integration theory by developing a dynamic model that formalises the interplay between structure, agency, group characteristics, and mutual willingness. The model's originality lies in specifying willingness as a multiplicative factor, demonstrating that integration requires engagement from both immigrants and host societies. Through analysis of feedback mechanisms, the model identifies three equilibrium states (high integration, low integration and unstable equilibrium) emerging from virtuous and vicious cycles. A simulation‐based illustration shows how small changes in willingness can trigger systemic shifts, highlighting the threshold‐sensitive nature of integration dynamics. By bridging sociological insight and formal modelling, the framework contributes to theoretical precision and offers policy guidance that emphasises mutual adaptation and the cumulative dynamics of integration outcomes
Agency (philosophy · Capability approach · Immigration · Multiplicative function · Privilege (computing · Reciprocal · Reciprocity (cultural anthropology · Diaspora, migration, transnational identity · Migration and Labor Dynamics · Migration, Refugees, and Integration
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| Highly cited | No |
|---|