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Choice or Mimetism in the Decision to Migrate? A European Illustration

Author

Listed:
  • Thierry Warin

    (Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Middlebury College & CIRANO)

  • Andrew Blakely

    (Middlebury College)

Abstract

This paper examines how herd behavior (mimetism) and network effects determine bilateral migration flows to thirteen EU-15 countries. Using an adapted gravity model controlling for economic activity, welfare progressivity, as well as geospatial and historic relationships, the results force us to question our explanations for migration flows. Herd behavior positively influences European migration flows, whereas network complementarities in the receiving country do not consistently predict, and may in some cases reduce, the likelihood of immigrant inflows. Moreover, economic activity, particularly labor market conditions, plays a lesser role in the migrants’ choice of destination than was previously thought. The introduction of herd behavior as a determinant of European Migration in our empirical analysis hopefully will change the paradigm for understanding migration.

Suggested Citation

  • Thierry Warin & Andrew Blakely, 2012. "Choice or Mimetism in the Decision to Migrate? A European Illustration," Global Economy Journal (GEJ), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 12(2), pages 1-32, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:gejxxx:v:12:y:2012:i:02:n:1524-5861.1818
    DOI: 10.1515/1524-5861.1818
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    Cited by:

    1. Mitterbacher, Kerstin & Fleiß, Jürgen & Palan, Stefan, 2024. "Reciprocity in migration policy and labor market integration: A lab experiment," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 1-16.
    2. André Rossi de Oliveira & Rossitza B. Wooster, 2015. "Economic Sector Choices of Mexican Migrants to the USA: Evidence from the 2011 EMIF Border Survey," Global Economy Journal (GEJ), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 15(1), pages 25-50, March.
    3. Thierry Warin & Robert E. Prasch, 2013. "Systemic Risk in the Financial Industry: “Mimetism” for the Best and for the Worst," CIRANO Working Papers 2013s-29, CIRANO.
    4. Ludo Peeters, 2011. "Controlling For Heterogeneity And Asymmetry In Cross-Section Gravity Models Of Aggregate Migration: Evidence From Mexico," ERSA conference papers ersa10p329, European Regional Science Association.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    migration; mimetism; herd behavior; informational cascades; Europe; network effects;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J6 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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