This article seeks to explain the role of networks in facilitating immigrant insertion into the labour market.
Abstract
Purpose
This article seeks to explain the role of networks in facilitating immigrant insertion into the labour market.
Design/methodology/approach
Participant observation and semi‐structured interviews were conducted in Tuscany in Italy with immigrants working in the agricultural, building and family care sectors.
Findings
Networks have been discovered to play some role in providing information on vacancies but a less important role in providing guarantees to employers. Unlike much previous research, therefore, this study does not find that co‐ethnic networks enable new immigrants to find jobs in the informal economy.
Originality/value
This is one of the few contemporary empirical studies on immigrants in the informal economy in Italy and the role that networks play in gaining entry.