Host Government Research Articles

Multiple Views on Return Migration to Northern Syria

ABSTRACTMedia, humanitarian organisations and host governments have increasingly talked about returning refugees affected by a more than a decade‐long conflict in Syria. However, the northern Syria region does not offer adequate living conditions for return; this region is currently unfit for settlement, and it is impossible to attract Syrians to return to it, regardless of the lack of security and the political issues that many scholars have discussed. This study was conducted in early 2023 in two regions including four areas in northern Syria (Jarabulus, Azaz, Al‐Bab and Afrin) and three provinces in Türkiye (Istanbul, Gaziantep and Mersin). We compare the opinions of Syrian refugees in Türkiye and Syrians who had been internally displaced and who resettled in the northern region. The purpose of the comparison is to understand the views of both Syrians in Türkiye and in northern Syria regarding whether the region is attractive to them or not. However, the results confirm that people are not willing to return, as the push factors overcome the pull factors. The data collection among Türkiye‐based Syrians and northern Syria's residents enabled us to work with different opinion‐making processes: The assessment of today's Syrian services results from the direct witness of current dwellers and the views of Türkiye‐based refugees. Through a large‐scale survey, our study aims to identify the push factors that induce refugees to discount the possibility of returning to the northern Syrian region, including the lack of job opportunities and basic services such as potable water, electricity, fuel, Internet, adequate education and healthcare.

Exploring a fuzzy relationships among criteria for the development of community-based tourism in Malaysia: a multi-stakeholder perspective

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to identify and analyze the fuzzy relationships among criteria for the development of community-based tourism (CBT) in Malaysia through a multi-stakeholder lens. By exploring these relationships, the study aimed to provide valuable insights for stakeholders and policymakers to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of CBT initiatives in Malaysia. The focus was on understanding the interplay between environmental, economic and socio-cultural criteria to guide decision-making and planning processes for sustainable tourism development.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized a quantitative approach, specifically employing a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model known as decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL). This methodology allowed for the integration of diverse perspectives from multiple stakeholders involved in CBT in Malaysia. By using DEMATEL, the researchers were able to analyze the complex relationships among sustainable criteria, identify causal factors and assess the interdependencies among environmental, economic and socio-cultural dimensions. The approach aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the criteria influencing the sustainability of CBT development in Malaysia.FindingsThe findings of the study revealed that environmental and economic factors emerged as pivotal causal criteria influencing socio-cultural outcomes in the development of CBT in Malaysia. The research highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in building sustainability in CBT, emphasizing the need for regular meetings, shared decision-making processes and clear communication channels among all involved parties. These insights empower stakeholders to make informed decisions and prioritize criteria for sustainable CBT development, ultimately contributing to the well-being of communities, preservation of natural and cultural heritage, and long-term environmental sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsThe study's limitations include the focus on CBT in Malaysia, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other contexts. Additionally, the research relied on a quantitative approach, potentially overlooking qualitative nuances in stakeholder perspectives. Future studies could address these limitations by exploring diverse geographical locations and incorporating qualitative methods to capture a more comprehensive understanding of sustainable criteria in CBT development. These implications suggest opportunities for further research to validate and extend the findings in different contexts and with a broader range of stakeholder perspectives.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of the study include providing guidance for tourism policymakers and key stakeholders in developing effective policy interventions for CBT in Malaysia. By understanding the complex relationships among sustainable criteria, stakeholders can make informed decisions to foster environmental, economic and socio-cultural growth in CBT initiatives. The findings offer insights for creating economic opportunities, promoting fair trade practices and enhancing linkages between CBT and local businesses. These practical implications aim to support sustainable decision-making, planning processes and implementation strategies to ensure the long-term success and positive impact of CBT in Malaysia.Social implicationsThe social implications of the study underscore the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in CBT development in Malaysia. By engaging various stakeholders, including host communities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and tourists, the research promotes social cohesion, cultural exchange and community empowerment. Enhancing social interactions and mutual understanding among stakeholders can lead to inclusive decision-making processes, equitable distribution of benefits and the preservation of local heritage and traditions. These social implications emphasize the potential for CBT to contribute to social well-being, cultural preservation and sustainable development, fostering positive social impacts and strengthening community resilience.Originality/valueThe originality and value of the study lie in its exploration of the complex relationships among sustainable criteria for CBT development in Malaysia from a multi-stakeholder perspective. By utilizing the DEMATEL method and quantitative analysis, the research offers a novel approach to understanding the causal factors influencing environmental, economic and socio-cultural outcomes in CBT initiatives. The study's findings provide valuable insights for stakeholders and policymakers to make informed decisions, prioritize criteria and develop effective strategies for sustainable CBT development. This original contribution enhances the understanding of sustainable criteria relationships and empowers stakeholders to drive positive change in the tourism sector.

The influence of local institutional dynamics on foreign ownership in international joint ventures: Speed, irregularity and synchronization

This research focuses on how three dynamics of institutions--speed, irregularity and synchronization of pro-market reforms −-lead to adjustment of ownership structures in established international joint ventures (IJVs). Based on empirical research on the ownership adjustments by IJVs in 30 provinces in China, I find that MNEs tend to take higher ownership in IJVs in regions with more rapid and synchronized reforms, while they are less likely to increase ownership share in provinces with highly irregular reforms. Moreover, rapid reforms are more likely to stimulate foreign ownership in regions with initially poor institutions, while regular and synchronized reforms help to increase foreign ownership when the institutional development is relatively mature. The findings suggest that managers in multinational enterprises pay more attention to the dynamics of institutions in host markets, and host governments carry out pro-market reforms more rapidly and steadily to attract foreign investments.

‘Fouled by Oil’? Oil Diplomacy and the Lausanne Conference, 1914–1928

The centenary of the 1923 Lausanne Treaty has seen historians challenge the familiar view of this re-settlement of the defeated Ottoman Empire as an enduring success, drawing attention to the ways in which the treaty validated a mandatory population exchange, now viewed as a form of ethnic cleansing. This reappraisal of Lausanne’s place in fashioning a new Middle East order has yet to address oil diplomacy. Competition among governments, oil companies and concession-hunters for rights to the oil of the former Ottoman Empire, in particular Mosul, inspired considerable speculation at the 1922–3 Lausanne Conference, and continues to fuel conspiracy theories surrounding Lausanne’s ‘secret clauses’. A tendency to tell the history of oil diplomacy in the first half of the twentieth century from the perspective of nation-states has made it difficult to explain the success with which emerging MNEs manipulated host governments, rather than being tools in the hands of statesmen pursuing energy security/energy independence. This essay argues that we need to assign oil companies greater agency if we want to understand the emergence of a global oil cartel.

Effect of green industrial policy on China's outward renewable energy investment

The urgent need to accelerate global decarbonization to mitigate against climate change has revitalized the role of industrial policy in a country's economic transformation. This paper focuses on the impact of green industrial policies on China's renewable energy investment overseas. Findings indicate a strong relationship with consistent significant effect across renewable energy sectors, heterogeneous host countries, and firm ownership. Green industrial policies compensate for impoverished investment environments by signaling host governments' commitment to energy transition and decarbonization. This attenuates risk and uncertainty and has a positive effect on renewable energy investment from China. Such investment is especially relevant for developing countries interested in participating in energy transition. China's investment potentially increases access to renewable energy that facilitates global decarbonization.

Workplace harassment faced by female Nepalese migrants working aboard

BackgroundNepal has a long history of labour migration over the years. Migrants can experience a range of problems in their destination countries, and women are more at risk than men. This paper is the first to explore the problems faced by Nepalese women migrants while working abroad. MethodsThis study was conducted among 1,889 women who were registered as migrant returnees at an organisation called Pourakhi Nepal. The study extracted and analysed data from a non-governmental organisation that supports returning female migrant workers in Nepal. ResultsAround half (43.1%) of the women were 35 or older, 30.9% were illiterate, and 63.6% were in their first overseas job. More than one-third (38.5%) had self-reported workplace harassment. Physical violence was the most prevalent (68%), followed by verbal abuse (37.5%), mental stress (29.7%), and sexual abuse (14.1%).Women who were illiterate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01 to 1.55), unmarried (AOR 1.27, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.56), worked abroad twice or more (AOR 1.35, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.66), changed their place of work (AOR 2.38, 95% CI: 1.42 to 4.01), lived without documents (AOR 1.24, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.50), worked as domestics (AOR 3.56, 95% CI: 2.03 to 6.23), worked in other than Gulf Cooperation Council countries (AOR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.99), women who did not have a fixed salary (AOR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.28 to 2.10) and did not receive salary (AOR 3.71, 95% CI: 2.88 to 4.77) were more likely to be harassed at work. ConclusionOur findings suggest that the host governments should introduce and enforce policies protecting women in the workplace. Migrant women should be provided with better information about health risks and hazards as well as how to improve preventive measures in destination countries to reduce workplace harassment.

The paradox of permission: Why governments allow foreign actors to promote solar energy projects in disputed cities

This article examines why foreign actors promote rooftop photovoltaic (PV) projects in cities characterized by ongoing ethno-national conflicts, and why the host government accepts these projects despite viewing them as undermining its sovereignty. It finds that foreign aid providers increasingly view off-grid PV technology as a low-cost solution for helping the embattled minorities of the city strengthen their autonomy and self-sufficiency by disconnecting them from the state-controlled national electricity grid. Local authorities accept these projects because they view them as benign initiatives that can help them address ‘infrastructure vacuums’ in neglected spaces of the city. This allows foreign actors to shape the status quo of the disputed city while avoiding political pushback by the host government. This dynamic is examined in the case of East Jerusalem, where EU and UN bodies invested in rooftop PV projects over the past decade with the stated goal of strengthening the energy autonomy of the city's Palestinian neighborhoods and preserving the option of dividing the city's infrastructure in a future peace agreement. Through government protocols and interviews with foreign aid representatives who promoted the projects, Jerusalem municipal officials who approved them, and Palestinian users who installed them, this article finds that Israeli authorities viewed these projects as a necessary buffer to address ungoverned areas of the city where Palestinians viewed municipal integration projects as an act of occupation. Foreign actors introduced PV solutions to these areas but struggled to overcome technical, bureaucratic, and social hurdles that limited their progress.

Outward Foreign Direct Investment and Corporate Environmental Investment: Competition or Cooperation?

China is currently in a crucial phase of establishing a new domestic and international “dual circulation”, and a new model of sustainable development. OFDI and environmental investment play significant roles in both external and internal economic cycles. In this study, we constructed a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model, using data from listed companies in China from 2008 to 2022, to analyze how OFDI impacts domestic environmental investment and its underlying mechanism. The findings demonstrated that OFDI can significantly reduce the environmental investment made by domestic enterprises. There exists a capital competition relationship between these two activities due to financing constraints, although OFDI can mitigate environmental issues by reducing pollution emissions and promoting industrial structure upgrading within the home country, resulting in savings on environmental investments. Heterogeneity analysis revealed that the negative impact of OFDI on environmental investment is primarily observed in non-state-owned enterprises, firms investing in developed countries, and those subject to strict environmental requirements imposed by host governments. This study explains the internal logic of China’s environmental investment reduction from the perspective of OFDI, deepens the study of the environmental consequences of OFDI, broadens the applicable boundaries of the theory of OFDI’s impact on environmental investment, and provides insights for the government to establish a high-level opening-up pattern and address the dilemma of environmental governance.

Tactical choices of diaspora movements: comparing Hongkonger, Thai, Burmese, and Ukrainian mobilizations in Taiwan

ABSTRACT Diaspora movements are campaigns launched by migrant minorities who maintain allegiance to their homelands. This article investigates the recent mobilization of the Hongkonger, Thai, Burmese, and Ukrainian diasporas in Taiwan to understand the factors behind their tactical choices. While the existing literature pays more attention to the protester-government interaction to understand how movement leaders decide on their movement strategy, we contend that certain pre-existing characteristics of the diaspora communities matter more. The use of qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) leads us to conclude: (1) ethnic discrimination, migrants’ class position, and the host government’s support do not affect the tactical choices; (2) a sufficiently large community with available mobilizing networks makes it possible to recruit and collect resources entirely from ethnic compatriots (reach-in); (3) linkages to local civil society enable it to speak to a broader audience and activate local responses (reach-out).

How governance under the ‘grand compromise’ affects refugee preferences for relocation: evidence from Syrian refugees in Lebanon

ABSTRACT We examine how governance actors in first-asylum countries affect refugees' relocation preferences. We argue that external humanitarian actors and host country actors can have different effects on refugees' aspiration and perceived ability to relocate away from the first-asylum country. Using an original survey of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, we find that when refugees believe external actors are effective at dealing with refugee issues, they are significantly less likely to aspire to migrate but significantly more likely to feel able to do so. When refugees believe the host government is effective at providing security, they are significantly more likely to aspire to relocate but significantly less likely to feel able to do so. In other words, the effectiveness of host actors is associated with ‘involuntary immobility’. To probe this finding further, we rely on a modified conjoint experiment. In line with our observational findings, we find that refugees who believe host actors are effective are more likely to choose relocation over staying when presented with a legal opportunity, indicating involuntary immobility. Refugees who believe external actors are effective are no more likely than others to choose relocation when presented with a legal resettlement opportunity.

The impact of institutions, industry, and scale of operations on foreign subsidiaries’ political connections: evidence from Saudi Arabia and Egypt

PurposeResearch on the political connections of multinational enterprises’ (MNEs’) subsidiaries in emerging host countries has been growing. The purpose of this paper is to integrate institutional and resource dependence theories to argue that MNEs-subsidiaries are likely to develop fewer formal (i.e. board-level) political connections when operating in welfare-state monarchies as compared to in host countries with developmental-state democratic systems. Furthermore, this paper argues that MNE-subsidiaries develop formal political connections to a greater extent in industries where religion influences the development of products and services considerably. Finally, the extent of developing formal political connections varies by the scale of the MNEs’ investment (or subsidiary density) in the host market.Design/methodology/approachThe paper tests its hypotheses on a sample of foreign-owned subsidiaries operating in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The data was collected by combining information from Bureau Van Dijk’s Orbis database with company websites and other secondary sources. The final sample consisted of 156 observations – 70 MNEs-subsidiaries operating in Saudi Arabia, and 86 in Egypt.FindingsThe findings confirm that foreign subsidiaries are likely to develop fewer formal political connections in a welfare-state monarchy as compared to in a developmental-state democratic system. Furthermore, formal political connections are more significant in industries that are impacted by the influence of religion – such as the financial industry in Arab countries. Finally, the extent of using political connections varies by the scale of the MNEs’ investment in the host market – that is, with a greater scale of investment (or higher subsidiary density), formal political connections are greater.Originality/valueThe paper contributes theoretically by explaining that a combination of institutional heterogeneity and its associated resource dependence conditions between MNEs and host governments influence MNE-subsidiaries' political connections. The paper tests its hypotheses in an emerging Arab context, which is characterized by both autocratic and semi-democratic political settings, and which makes the integration of institutional and resource dependence theories useful in explaining how MNE-subsidiaries navigate local complexities in this region.

Governing the Ungovernable? Conceptualising embeddedness in Ghana's gold mining sector

The term “artisanal” refers to primitive, non-industrial, or pre-industrial handicrafts. Because they contribute less revenue to state agencies, produce lower mineral export volumes, apply less sophisticated technologies, frequently violate mining certification and licensing arrangements and/or evade state oversight, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) activities are typically viewed less favourably by host governments than large-scale mining. Despite commitments to render ASM governable, formalisation practices overlook specific dynamics in the sub-sector: notably, the increasing uptake of advanced technologies, its multi-actor nature, and its untold capacity to create employment opportunities and provide adequate raw materials for the domestic jewellery industry. Moreover, unsanctioned mining activities persist despite formalisation efforts. Based on an extensive qualitative study and institutional-level interviews, this article highlights the inevitable complementarities between large-scale mining and ASM. It reveals collaborations between diverse formal and informal actors and institutions that enable and constrain responsible mining in Ghana. It also shows how ASM, and large-scale mining interdependencies maintain each mining scale's operational efficiency and profitability, contributing to this blurring. To grasp the governance challenges in Ghana's gold mining sector, we introduce the “mining-scale embeddedness” framework, focusing on institutional, operational, and actor levels of embeddedness to elucidate dilemmas surrounding gold mining governance.

Beware the puppeteers: the role of geopolitics in the bargaining dynamics between a Russian politically connected MNC and the country of Montenegro

PurposeThis paper aims to use the obsolescing bargaining power (OBP) Model (Vernon, 1977, 1998) to analyze the case of United Company Rusal, a Russian politically connected multinational companies (MNCs) that was one of the world’s largest aluminum companies between 2005 and 2014, having acquired and, ultimately, sold the Montenegrin aluminum smelter company Kombinat aluminijuma Podgorica.The authors did so with the aim of answering the following question: How do geopolitics affect the bargaining balance of power between a Russian MNC and a host country? Design/methodology/approachThe authors used the discourse analysis methodology to identify the key players in the bargaining process and illustrate the evolving bargaining process.FindingsThe authors demonstrated that, over time, the shift in power from the Russian MNC to the host government had not merely been the result of the increase in committed MNC assets in the host country but, rather, of a geopolitical chess game involving the Russian Government, North Atlantic treaty organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU). By extending the OBP model with geopolitics, the authors found that a political agenda can influence the outcome of a bargaining process.Originality/valueThe authors extended the OBP model to illustrate the complex interaction between an emerging market MNC and an emerging host country government, indirectly influenced by two supranational organizations – the EU and NATO.

Prevalence and correlates of mental disorders among Chinese overseas students during the COVID-19: A multi-regional cross-sectional analysis.

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic extends beyond physical health, significantly affecting mental health. Chinese overseas students are particularly susceptible to the adverse psychological effects of the pandemic. Understanding the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders in this population is essential for developing targeted interventions and support systems. Employing a snowball sampling technique, this study recruited Chinese overseas students from diverse regions. The 50-item Self-evaluation Table was utilized to assess the presence of mental disorders. Descriptive statistics, including percentages, 95% confidence intervals, means, and standard deviations, characterized the survey population. The chi-square test identified disparities among categorical variables, while logistic regression explored risk factors for mental disorders among Chinese overseas students. Out of the total sample size of 10,864 Chinese overseas students, a staggering 7,090 (65.4%) met the diagnostic criteria for mental disorders. Furthermore, the degree of mental disorder varied significantly across different regions (p < 0.001), education levels (p < 0.05), the duration of anti-epidemic measures (p < 0.05), and age (p < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed in terms of gender (p > 0.05). Several risk factors contributing to the mental disorder burden among Chinese overseas students during the pandemic were identified, including the seriousness of the epidemic in their residential area, the apprehension of getting infected, anxieties regarding academic performance, the infection control policies implemented by the host government, preventive measures taken locally to counter the epidemic, and challenges encountered in returning to their home country. Given the significant challenges in mental health faced by Chinese overseas students during the COVID-19 crisis, addressing their specific needs and implementing tailored measures is imperative. Future public health emergencies should consider the potential mental disorders and disease risks faced by Chinese overseas students. By providing comprehensive support and targeted interventions, policymakers, educational institutions, and healthcare providers can help mitigate the adverse psychological effects and promote the well-being of this vulnerable population.

A LITERATURE REVIEW ON RISK FACTORS ON INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Internationalization is one of the most critical decisions for construction companies. Although expanding into new markets promises several benefits such as new job opportunities, increases in market share and profit margins, etc., it is exposed to risks and difficulties, which in turn result in poor project performance in terms of delays and cost overruns. Therefore, construction companies should thoroughly recognize the potential risk factors and develop proper risk management strategies against these risk factors. This study reviews the recent studies on risk factors on international construction projects, which might cause delays and cost overruns, in order to help construction companies that mostly undertake international construction projects in recognizing risk factors and developing their risk response strategies against them. For this purpose, semi-systematic literature review was conducted, 32 journal articles from 14 academic journals reviewed in depth, and 23 different risk factors were identified. “Host government related risk”, “Resource price fluctuations”, “Unavailability of resources in the host market”, and “Contractor’s lack of managerial skills” were found to be “highly cited risk factors”. On the other hand, “Adverse public attitude”, “Project specification and standard problems”, “Technology and proprietary information sharing problems”, and “Virtual Risk” were found to be “lowly cited risk factors”.

A LITERATURE REVIEW ON RISK FACTORS ON INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Internationalization is one of the most critical decisions for construction companies. Although expanding into new markets promises several benefits such as new job opportunities, increases in market share and profit margins, etc., it is exposed to risks and difficulties, which in turn result in poor project performance in terms of delays and cost overruns. Therefore, construction companies should thoroughly recognize the potential risk factors and develop proper risk management strategies against these risk factors. This study reviews the recent studies on risk factors on international construction projects, which might cause delays and cost overruns, in order to help construction companies that mostly undertake international construction projects in recognizing risk factors and developing their risk response strategies against them. For this purpose, semi-systematic literature review was conducted, 32 journal articles from 14 academic journals reviewed in depth, and 23 different risk factors were identified. “Host government related risk”, “Resource price fluctuations”, “Unavailability of resources in the host market”, and “Contractor’s lack of managerial skills” were found to be “highly cited risk factors”. On the other hand, “Adverse public attitude”, “Project specification and standard problems”, “Technology and proprietary information sharing problems”, and “Virtual Risk” were found to be “lowly cited risk factors”.

Resource acquisition strategies of joint‐venture universities in China: Two cases in the Greater Bay Area

AbstractAs cross‐border education continues to evolve, a comprehensive understanding of the latest trends requires an awareness of the behaviours of partner universities and host governments. This case study examines two joint‐venture universities in China and compares their institutional approaches to resource acquisition. It compares their strategies in four dimensions: initial launch, choice of name, capacity building, and strategy in leveraging resources from the local government. The divergent strategies show that both universities use their particular advantages to obtain different resources to sustain their development. This study presents a portrait of a dynamic organisational environment for cross‐border in China. While the government plays a key role in the establishment of the universities, their resource acquisition effectiveness depends on how successfully they integrate their agendas with local needs.

Mitigating soft and hard infrastructure deficiencies in emerging markets

This study examines the impact of soft and hard infrastructure deficiencies on foreign firms’ investments in emerging markets and firm strategies to mitigate such impact. Soft infrastructure refers to intangible components such as institutions and regulations, while hard infrastructure encompasses tangible physical components like transportation, energy systems, and water supply. Drawing on resource dependence theory, we argue that foreign firms are likely to decrease their investment scale in countries with deficient soft and hard infrastructures to reduce uncertainty. We further propose two strategies to mitigate the negative effects of infrastructure deficiencies. First, foreign firms can adopt an influencing strategy, increasing their influence on the host government to alleviate the negative impact of soft infrastructure deficiencies. Second, a shielding strategy can be employed to reduce dependence on the host government, particularly when dealing with hard infrastructure deficiencies. We analyze data from a sample of 3,341 foreign firms operating in 88 emerging economies between 2005 and 2020 and find empirical support for these arguments, highlighting the significance of infrastructural considerations for foreign investments in emerging economies.

Non-market strategies in weak institutional environments: The case of MNE subsidiaries in Cameroon

This study seeks to understand why and how multinational enterprise (MNE) subsidiaries use non-market strategies to establish legitimacy in weak institutional environments. By adopting an in-depth qualitative approach, we explore the non-market strategies enacted by four MNE subsidiaries operating in Cameroon. We find that MNE subsidiaries endeavour to gain legitimacy and social reputation in weak institutional environments by engaging with multiple local stakeholders through corporate social responsibility and political non-market strategies. Our findings support the previous studies on emerging African markets that the host-country government remains the most critical and challenging stakeholder. However, firms experience legitimacy risks due to their strong ties with the government during periods of political and social instability. The subsidiaries mesh social with political strategies and use them as complementary strategies for developing their social reputation and gaining social license to operate in the host market, thus mitigating social and political risks from aligning with the host government. We draw implications of these findings for research and practice.

Political Regimes and Refugee Entries: The Preferences and Decisions of Displaced Persons and Host Governments

Abstracts What drives refugee movements? Focusing on host countries' domestic political institutions, we argue that refugee entry is determined by the political regimes that shape the incentives of both host governments and displaced persons. Specifically, we theorize that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between political regimes and the volume of refugee entries. When the host country is autocratic, refugee volume becomes smaller due to displaced persons’ unwillingness to risk the high uncertainty of life under such regimes, and when the host country is democratic, refugee volume is similarly curbed due to democratic constraints on the host government. Consequently, a majority of refugees are clustered into anocratic regimes. Using a global dataset, a series of statistical analyses found strong evidence in support of our theoretical expectations regarding not only the hypothesized correlation between regime type and refugee movements but also the preferences of host governments and displaced persons that we theorize underlie this relationship.