To read this content please select one of the options below:

Transnational activities of Colombians in the US: A qualitative exploration of the migration-development nexus

Sandra Milena Santamaria Alvarez (International Business Department, Universidad EAFIT, Medellín, Colombia)
Martyna S′liwa (Essex Business School, University of Essex Colchester, UK)

Critical Perspectives on International Business

ISSN: 1742-2043

Article publication date: 3 May 2016

465

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the transnational activities of Colombian migrants in the USA; the reasons why migrants engage, or not, in these activities; and the impact of migrants’ transnational activities at the household, community and national levels.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyses data obtained from focus groups with migrant families and interviews with government officials and an expert researcher, as well as secondary data sources.

Findings

The main transnational activities in which Colombian migrants engage in are individually oriented, while participation in collective actions such as philanthropy or membership of political parties and hometown associations is limited. The impact of those activities varies when analysed at different levels. Overall, transnational activities of Colombian migrants can be seen as contributing to the perpetuation of south–north dependency, even if they help improve the socioeconomic situation of migrants and their families.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the migration–development nexus debate by pointing to the significance of distinguishing the level of analysis (micro, meso and macro) when studying the impacts of transnationalism on development.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This article would not have been possible without the important support of the Universidad EAFIT and Colciencias, who have provided funding for Sandra’s study and research.

Citation

Santamaria Alvarez, S.M. and S′liwa, M. (2016), "Transnational activities of Colombians in the US: A qualitative exploration of the migration-development nexus", Critical Perspectives on International Business, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 140-166. https://doi.org/10.1108/cpoib-09-2012-0038

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles