An analysis of Koreans' attitudes towards migrants by application of algorithmic approaches

Abstract

Exclusivist behaviours toward migrants manifest not only from poor receptivity to multiculturalism, but also from competition for resources and opportunities such as job opportunities. This study analyses the socio-economic background of Koreans by categorizing them in terms of their receptivity to multiculturalism and their stances on the job debate. For its analytical methodology, this study proposes an analytical approach that combines survey data from questionnaires with machine-learning algorithms. This study applies light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to estimate the importance of the studied variables and interpret the estimate results. According to the results of this study, contact, rapport, experience, and familiarity with other cultures promoted receptivity, but competition over job opportunities led to realistic threats.