The notion of « social networks » in migration
Résumé
Being frequently addressed to in the field of the sociology of migrations since the late 1970s, the notion of « network » has become a key word in the language used in numerous researchers' works on new migratory forms and more particularly on the migrants'production modes, the so-called ethnic economy. After twenty years of research, the notion of « network » remains described as a « vague set of approaches » (Emirbayer, 1994) and comes closer to a metaphorical use than an analytical one. This introductory article explores the notion of social network and its use in the works concerning the migrants'modes of organization. This is an attempt at understanding its contributions but also its limits.
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