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ARTICLES

Where everybody knows your name: the role of social capital in resettlement after an employee relocation

Pages 429-445 | Received 12 Mar 2008, Published online: 12 Apr 2010
 

Abstract

This exploratory research investigates the process of adaptation that follows the intra-national migration of families moved for a professional employee's job. The research suggests the existence of ‘relocation enclaves’ or areas of residence that are densely populated by relocated families. Qualitative interviews with wives relocated for their husband's jobs reveal the importance of building social capital to rebuild families' lives and the positive role that relocation enclaves can play in offering that social capital. Additionally, findings suggest that, contrary to Putnam's proposition that an influx of relocated families into a community would contribute to the erosion of community connections, relocated women are highly active in their new communities and they invest time and inject new ideas into local schools and organizations.

Esta investigación exploratoria inquiere en los procesos de adaptación que siguen a la migración interna de profesionales producto de un traslado por trabajo. Los resultados sugieren la existencia de ‘enclaves de relocalización’ o áreas residenciales densamente poblados por familias relocalizadas. Entrevistas cualitativas a esposas de hombres que han sido trasladados demuestran la importancia de construir capital social para reconstruir la vida familiar; así como el efecto positivo que pueden llegar a tener estos enclaves en ofrecer este capital social. Adicionalmente los resultados sugieren que, contrario a lo propuesto por Putman con relación a que el influjo de nuevas familias a una comunidad contribuiría a la erosión de las conexiones intracomunitarias, las mujeres relocalizadas son altamente activas en sus nuevas comunidades invirtiendo tiempo y aportando nuevas ideas a los colegios y organizaciones locales.

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