The Economic Integration of Refugees in Developing Countries: A Research Model

Abstract

Although the number of empiricial studies on the intergration of refugees is increasing rapidly, there is a dearth of thoeretical reflection — at least as far as the specific problems of coping with refugee flows in the Third World are concerned. This article outlines a theoretical framework for research on refugee integration. its soecific aim is to design a model for economic integration, but this is seen as only one aspect of a general intergration process. After a critical discussion of insights from migration and acculturation theory, a definition of integration is proposed and a comprehensive model of integration outlined. Next, economic aspects of the model are identified and a separate model specifying their interrelationships is formulsted.